New Ventures Spotlight: Erin Borcherding
I am Senior Counsel in the firm’s New Ventures group, where I advise startups and growth-stage companies on transactional matters. Often serving as quasi-in-house counsel, I guide clients through contract negotiations with customers and service providers. My work includes drafting and negotiating commercial agreements such as technology licensing agreements (both on-premise and SaaS), master services and consulting agreements, non-disclosure agreements, reseller and distribution agreements, end user agreements, terms of service, and other key contracts. I also advise companies on formation issues, including entity selection, vesting, equity compensation, advisory board and management structures, and early-stage employment and privacy matters.
Health Innovation Exchange Summit Unites Atlanta’s Health Tech Community
On June 11, during Atlanta Tech Week, over 150 clinicians, founders, and health innovators gathered at Georgia Tech for the Health Innovation Exchange Summit—an afternoon of bold ideas, candid dialogue, and community-driven momentum. Panels tackled urgent challenges, such as food insecurity, rural care gaps, and access disparities, while also highlighting scalable solutions in AI, care navigation, and aging in place. Thompson Hine partner Lindsay Karas Stencel moderated the “Supporting Health Tech Founders: From Lab to Scale” panel, leading a critical conversation on what it takes to build and back transformative ventures.
Closed-End Retail Funds Can Now Invest More Heavily in Private Equity and Venture Capital
By Lindsay Karas Stencel and Jake Denham
On May 19, 2025, the SEC relaxed its long-standing limit on closed-end retail funds, allowing them to allocate more than 15% of assets to private equity and venture capital—provided the investments align with the fund’s stated objectives. This change opens retail investors to high-growth opportunities historically reserved for institutions and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, while also enhancing portfolio diversification and potentially reducing volatility. Notably, the shift may channel new capital toward emerging venture and private equity managers, broadening access for innovative startups and strengthening regional economies. The SEC’s updated interpretation could stimulate startup funding, drive job creation, and promote inclusive economic growth. Read more.
Startup Savvy: Foundations for Enduring Growth
Thompson Hine partner Aisling O’Laoire shares her perspective on Chicago’s startup community and what drew her to this area of law. In this informative Q&A, she discusses what growth-stage companies can expect in the coming year and how they can thrive in today’s business environment. Drawing on her experience at Chicago‑Kent’s Entrepreneurial Law Clinic and Thompson Hine’s New Ventures practice, Aisling emphasizes the importance of solid early‑stage fundamentals—accurate formation, financing, and equity agreements—supported by Thompson Hine’s “QuickLaunch” service. She highlights Chicago’s startup ecosystem as resourceful, gritty, and relationship‑driven, with founders making smart choices amid limited coastal funding. Aisling advises prioritizing quality over speed, avoiding risky investors, and tapping into local entrepreneurial resources. Her core message: strategic legal groundwork from the start empowers resilience and long‑term success for growth‑stage companies. Read more.
Proud to Sponsor Rev1 Ventures Innovation Hop
On May 22, Columbus’s Innovation Hop, hosted by Rev1 Ventures, showcased more than 50 high‑growth startups spanning biotech to immersive AR. The event drew a diverse crowd of investors, corporate leaders, and public‑sector representatives. Thompson Hine was proud to be the T‑shirt sponsor, with everyone sporting tees featuring our logo. Jake Denham represented the firm, engaging with founders and industry leaders throughout the high-enegy evening. Live demos, curated connections, and local food and drink made for a dynamic celebration of innovation. Thompson Hine’s participation reflects the firm’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and fostering the Columbus startup ecosystem.
Fueling Connections and Capital at TechChicago Week
We are honored to sponsor the upcoming P33 Capital Summit in Chicago on July 23, 2025, for the third consecutive year—reaffirming our commitment to advancing the city’s thriving tech and innovation ecosystem. A cornerstone of TechChicago Week (July 21–25, 2025), the Capital Summit brings together local founders, investors, and industry leaders from across the Midwest and beyond to accelerate the flow of capital and foster meaningful connections. This year’s summit will feature curated programming, including track-based sessions, one-on-one meetings between startups and investors, and unique networking experiences, such as the highly anticipated poker night kickoff. By supporting the Capital Summit, we help empower Chicago’s diverse community of entrepreneurs and innovators, promote inclusive economic growth, and strengthen the city’s position as a top-tier technology hub. We are proud to play a role in building a more connected, equitable, and prosperous future for Chicago’s tech sector. We look forward to another impactful year of collaboration and progress. Connect with us if you also plan on attending.
Industry Insights: Founders – You Can Raise Venture Capital This Summer
Contrary to popular belief, VCs don’t disappear during June, July, and August—especially emerging managers who remain fully engaged year-round. Data shows many deals are signed during the summer months, even when fundraising efforts begin well before the deal closes. While launching a brand-new raise mid-August may be tricky, founders already gaining traction shouldn’t hit pause just because it’s summer. In fact, January is often the slowest month for deal signings, as investors reset after the year-end crunch. Today’s fundraising timelines vary widely—some close in months, others take longer. The key? Run a focused, well-organized process with targeted meetings rather than scattershot outreach. If momentum is building in July, keep pushing—it’s a prime time to fundraise.
QuickLaunch: Experienced Guidance for Startups and Investors
Our QuickLaunch program is tailored to entrepreneurs, startups and investors, providing guidance on growth and funding cycles and offering cost-effective counsel on day-to-day legal matters from formation to funding to exits. Our seasoned team helps navigate the confusing waters of growth, funding, expansion and those tricky legal issues that can arise, often at fixed or budgeted pricing by using our firmwide proprietary SmartPaTH™ tool. To learn more about our tailored, value-enhancing solutions, please visit our site.