Lindsay Karas Stencel

Lindsay is a partner in the firm’s New Ventures practice at Thompson Hine. She advises entrepreneurs, investors, and fund managers on venture capital and startup matters, venture capital fund formation, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, federal and state securities filings and compliance, including public and private securities offerings, and corporate organization and governance matters.

Prior to joining Thompson Hine, Lindsay served as a partner and chief legal counsel at a Midwest-focused venture capital firm that invests in pre-seed, seed early stage and growth stage technology companies serving several industries. There, her efforts primarily focused on deal structuring, portfolio management, limited partner relations, fundraising and exit transactions.

Simultaneously, she ran her own private practice representing emerging and diverse venture fund managers across the country, startup clients and founders, investors, and small businesses, assisting with venture fund formation and strategy, strategic deal formation, unique deal structuring and other corporate legal matters. She also acquired significant experience while serving as Chief Operating Officer and Fund Manager, and subsequently Chief Investment Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Managing Partner for a venture development organization in upstate New York, where she led that firm to have one of the most active seed funds in the country and spearheaded the formation and development of the largest seed fund in the history of the area.

In addition to her work at Thompson Hine, Lindsay is a Co-Founder of BOLDER, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is focused on supporting wellness initiatives for mental, physical, and financial health for startups and small businesses nationwide.

Lindsay teaches “Venture Capital and Dealmaking” and “Rainmaking for New Lawyers” at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where she also frequently guest lectures on contract drafting and preferred securities issuances. Lindsay is a national speaker on topics of women and diversity and inclusion in finance, venture capital, venture capital deal structuring and startup investing.