Brian H. Axelrad

“Entrepreneur. MBA. Lawyer. Advisor. Mentor. Investor. He is the first person I call when making any significant decision.” - Entrepreneur & Startup Advisor Client

Brian is a partner in HMB’s Business and Finance Group. He is also a leader in the firm’s Venture Capital and Technology practices, founded HMB’s Social Impact practice (philanthropy and impact investing) and serves on the firm-wide Executive Committee. In addition, Brian leads the firm’s ETA/Search Fund efforts. He serves his company clients as day-to-day general counsel and regularly advises companies, investors, acquirors and executives on strategic and milestone transactions, often including venture capital and private equity transactions and mergers & acquisitions.

Brian partners with investors, entrepreneurs and executives on the legal and business issues they face at every stage, from startup through growth to exit. He coaches and guides his clients as they explore different strategies, transactions and opportunities.

The companies Brian works with are often technology driven or enabled and connected to a host of industries. His institutional clients include venture capital funds, private equity funds, family offices, search funds and fundless sponsors.

Experience

Startup and early stage companies (particularly, technology driven and enabled),
Angel investors
Venture capital funds
Inbound C-suite executives
“Old-line” middle market businesses
Banking institutions
Private equity funds and mezzanine and specialty finance (e.g., equipment lenders) companies

Education

Northwestern University School of Law, J.D.
University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, M.B.A. with honors
University of Michigan, B.A. in Economics and History

Admissions

Illinois

Community Involvement

Chief Investment Officer of Beyond Capital Fund
Teacher, Venture Capital Investing for Social Impact at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Practices

Business and Finance
Venture Capital and Emerging Companies
ETA/Search Funds
General Counsel
Mergers and Acquisitions
Finance
Private Equity
Technology and Intellectual Property
Data Privacy and Security
Equity and Financing
License & Protection of Intellectual Property
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Transactions
Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Creditors’ Rights
Corporate Borrowers
Litigation
Data Breach
Private Client, Trusts and Estates
Art Law
Family Office Planning
Not-For-Profit Entities and Charitable Giving
Real Estate
Opportunity Zones and Qualified Opportunity Funds

Events

Brian Axelrad Participates in the "State of Innovation in East Africa Discussion and Workshop" hosted by the Global Innovation Exchange - 5/17/18June 1, 2018
Brian Axelrad and his team from Beyond Capital Fund participated in a discussion focused on innovation in East Africa hosted by the Global Innovation Exchange. Other participants were from Kenya Climate Innovation Center, Unreasonable East Africa, NetBizImpact, Innovations in Healthcare, VentureLift Africa, Moringa School and ANDE East Africa.…
Brian Axelrad discusses "The Role of Social Impact in Africa's Development" at Chicago Booth School of Business Emerging Markets Summit - 4/14/18April 30, 2018
4/14/18 Emerging Markets Summit Chicago Booth School of Business Brian Axelrad participated in a panel at the "Emerging Markets Summit" at the Chicago Booth School of Business. This discussion focused on "The Role of Social Impact in Africa's Development" where attendees learned about the investing landscape and the future of social impact programs in Africa. The panel consisted of: Brian…

News

Client Success: Swag Golf Raises $10MM in Growth FinancingOctober 11, 2023
HMB would like to congratulate Swag Golf on raising $10 million in growth funding. This investment will bolster Swag Golf’s innovative product lines, increase its presence in the Asia-Pacific market and accelerate its production capabilities to meet growing demand.
Client Success: Leading Hospitality SaaS Platform Craftable Announces Partnership with Gauge CapitalAugust 1, 2023
HMB would like to congratulate Craftable, the hospitality industry’s leading SaaS platform, on its partnership with Gauge Capital, a leading middle-market private equity firm based in Dallas, TX. This strategic investment further enhances Craftable’s position at the forefront of cutting-edge technology shaping the hospitality industry.
HMB Announces 2023-2024 Board of DirectorsJuly 18, 2023
HMB is pleased to announce its 2023-2024 Board of Directors.
Client Success: HMB Represents Myron, Inc. in Sale to GIG Myron Holdings SPVMay 15, 2023
HMB would like to congratulate Myron on its successful sale to GIG Myron Holdings SPV, LLC, an affiliate of Go Global Retail. Founded in 1949, Myron is dedicated to helping customers elevate their promotional marketing campaigns. Myron, Inc. was represented by Brian H. Axelrad, Brett M. Winterstein, Ati P. Khatri, Elise Anderson, Geoffrey J. Curley and Kenneth A. Goldstein.
Client Success: CodaPet Expands into Kansas City as Part of Broader National ExpansionApril 12, 2023
HMB would like to congratulate CodaPet on its expansion into Kansas City, MO, and its surrounding cities. The startup empowers a network of veterinarians who offer families the opportunity to say goodbye to their pets in the comfort of their own homes.

blog

Cybersecurity PreparednessJanuary 29, 2020
As 2020 kicks off, cybersecurity remains ever present in the news whether its predictions for cyberattacks in conflict between state actors, such as the United States and Iran, or the recent New York Times report regarding a possible hack at the Ukrainian gas company at the heart of the impeachment investigations.
SEC Proposes Changes to Accredited Investor Standard and Assesses its Impact on the MarketplaceJanuary 9, 2020
In December 2019, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) proposed amendments to the definitions of “accredited investor” and “qualified institutional buyer”.