Holland & Knight has added Patrick Driscoll as director of client development for its emerging companies and venture capital practice. Based in Century City, Driscoll will lead strategic initiatives focused on business development, client engagement and growth for the ECVC team and related practices.
Driscoll brings more than a decade of experience in venture capital, startup investing and business development. Prior to joining Holland & Knight, he served as a vice president at J.P. Morgan, where he led VC and startup initiatives through the company’s capital connect program and advised top-tier funds, limited partners and founders nationwide. Earlier in his career, Driscoll co-founded Chasing Rainbows, a venture capital fund focused on LGBTQ+-founded startups in sectors including AI, life sciences, sustainability and legal technology.
“Patrick’s deep experience across the venture capital and startup ecosystems, combined with his global perspective and strong network, make him a tremendous asset to our team,” Tim Poydenis, co-head of the firm’s emerging companies and venture capital practice, said. “His ability to connect founders, investors and institutions in meaningful ways will help us continue to deliver exceptional value to our clients and expand our presence in key markets.”
In addition to his work at J.P. Morgan, Driscoll has held leadership roles at Carta and 500 Global, where he managed venture capital products and accelerator education programs in collaboration with institutions such as Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley and INSEAD. He also previously served as a venture lead at BMNT, where he supported the company’s accelerator program, which partnered with organizations including the U.S. Department of Defense and the Norwegian-American Defense Industry Council to lead multimillion-dollar dual-use startup initiatives.
“Patrick brings the full spectrum of experiences in the ECVC ecosystem to his new role at Holland & Knight, from his experiences as a venture capitalist, an operator, an advisor and a service provider, to his work across and at the intersection of multiple innovation sectors,” Jeff Seul, co-head of the firm’s emerging companies and venture capital practice and chair of the technology and telecommunications industry sector group, said. “His broad experience aligns seamlessly with our extensive capabilities and will enable him to leverage our resources maximally for the benefit of our clients and prospective clients.”
“I’m excited to join Holland & Knight and contribute to the continued growth of its dynamic emerging companies and venture capital practice,” Driscoll said. “The firm’s commitment to innovation and client service aligns perfectly with my passion for fostering meaningful connections between founders, investors and the broader venture community.”
