Overview
Helping Visionaries Move Faster
Launching, managing, and investing in innovation demands agile legal insights and strategic connections. Venture Best equips you to move fast and scale smart, empowering growth at every stage. Our nationally ranked team has guided billions in venture deals, offering practical counsel, transparent pricing, and deep market knowledge to founders, executives, venture capitalists, fund sponsors, angel and corporate investors alike. When you partner with us, you gain an ally who knows what it takes to move dreams into reality.
By the Numbers
6
Consecutive Years Ranked on Pitchbook*
#13
Global Pitchbook Ranking*
#12
U.S. Ranking*
#2
Great Lakes Region Ranking*
#3
Mountain Region Ranking*
* Source: PitchBook, a Morningstar company: www.pitchbook.com
Focus Areas
When you want to form your business, you want someone who has the experience to sort through the noise and can advise on the best way to set up your company to address your specific needs. Not all businesses are the same, so you want an advisor that not only knows which tools and structures are appropriate for you.
- Entity Formation
- Founder Agreements
- Corporate Governance
- Equity & Ownership Structuring
- Cap Table Guidance
- Equity Incentive Plans
- 83(b), QSBS & Tax Planning
- Startup Program (SUP)
- Universities
- Technology Commercialization
Not all businesses need to raise outside capital, but when you do, you want someone that knows the alternatives, knows the investors in your market, and understands the needs of investors and founders so they can help you find common ground in negotiations and closing deals in an efficient manner.
- SAFE Financings
- Convertible Notes
- Seed Financings
- Series A and Later Preferred Equity Rounds
- Venture Debt
- Strategic & Corporate Investments
- Securities Compliance
- Secondary Transactions
As businesses grow, they will face new challenges, and you want a partner that can grow with you and help you anticipate the needs your business will face at each stage of operations.
- Outside General Counsel
- Commercial Contracts
- Customer & Vendor Agreements
- SaaS & Technology Agreements
- Employment & Executive Compensation
- Equity Compensation
- Intellectual Property
- Data Privacy & Cybersecurity
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Tax
- Strategic Partnerships
- Corporate Governance & Board Matters
When your business needs to expand or when you've decided it's time to sell, we will guide you through the acquisition process and make sure you get the most out of each transaction.
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Company Sales
- Acqui-hires
- Recapitalizations
- Secondary Sales
- Strategic Transactions
- Due Diligence
- Exit Planning
Who We Serve
Startups & Emerging Companies
From Idea to Exit:
Get the legal edge you need to take your business to the next level. From structuring your first seed round to negotiating late-stage investments, as well as ongoing support for your business as it scales operations and enters new markets, our team has the connections and understanding you need to close deals and fuel your growth.
Venture Funds ©
Build the fund. Deploy the capital.
Venture Best guides both established and emerging funds, and their financial backers, through every stage of setting up and running an investment vehicle, from initial structuring to regulatory compliance and ongoing operations. Drawing on experience across corporate, securities, employment, and tax law, our team helps fund sponsors navigate governance, leadership transitions, and compensation matters so they can launch and run their fund with confidence.
Investors
Move quickly. Invest confidently.
We have closed thousands of rounds of financing and can efficiently support your investment teams through negotiation of transaction agreements, diligence reviews tailored to the key value drivers for the business, and advice on trends in the market relevant to your investment priorities.
Industries We Know
- B2B Software
- SaaS
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- FinTech
- EdTech
- IoT
For technology companies, protecting innovation and building enterprise value often go hand in hand. Venture Best works with founders and investors from formation and early financings through commercial growth, strategic partnerships, and exit, with access to Michael Best’s broader technology and intellectual property capabilities as needs evolve.
- Digital Health / HealthTech
- Life Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Medical Devices
- Healthcare Services
Healthcare and life sciences companies face a unique path from innovation to commercialization, where financing strategy, regulatory considerations, intellectual property, and market access often intersect. Venture Best works alongside founders and investors throughout that journey, with access to Michael Best’s broader Healthcare team as companies navigate increasingly complex regulatory, operational, and strategic needs.
- Consumer Products
- E-Commerce
- Food & Beverage
- Sports & Entertainment
- Media / Creator Economy
- AgTech / FoodTech
- ClimateTech / Energy
From consumer brands and sports to AgTech, EdTech, and other emerging industries, Venture Best works with founders and investors building businesses in rapidly evolving markets. As companies raise capital, enter new markets, and scale operations, our team connects clients with Michael Best advisors who understand the legal, regulatory, and commercial issues shaping their growth.
Experience
Why Venture Best
Venture is what we do: A team focused on the legal and business realities facing startups, investors, and venture funds.
National deal experience: Deep venture transaction experience and consistent recognition among active venture capital legal advisors.
Full-service when you need it: Access to specialists across intellectual property, employment, tax, privacy, cybersecurity, healthcare, regulatory, and other disciplines as companies grow.
Built for startup speed: Responsive counsel, practical advice, transparent pricing, and solutions designed around how emerging companies actually operate.
Podcast
Venture Best Spotlight Podcast
Hear real stories from founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders who are redefining entrepreneurship. We spotlight the people and ideas shaping the future of innovation, including success stories like Koda Health.
Startup Program (SUP)
SUP gives startup teams a fast, affordable way to handle formation, fundraising, and compliance—with the perfect blend of DIY tools and professional legal support. We’re with you from day one through every stage of growth.
