Austin Harms
I run Altum Legal, where I serve as fractional general counsel for startups and VC funds. I'm also Chief Legal Officer of Real Finance, Inc., a fintech company building automated market infrastructure for private credit. Previously seven years at Perkins Coie. I serve on corporate boards, write The Startup Law Playbook, and invest in frontier technology companies.
I'm a frontier optimist — transformative technologies will improve the human condition, and that belief demands participation.
Writings
Jan 2025 What Founders Get Wrong About SAFEs The most common misconceptions I see founders make with Simple Agreements for Future Equity — and how to avoid dilution surprises at your Series A. Nov 2024 The Case for Frontier Optimism Why I believe the most transformative technologies — AI, synthetic biology, space, climate tech — will improve the human condition, and why that belief demands action. Aug 2024 Lessons from Structuring Venture Fund I Practical insights from working with emerging managers on their first fund — from GP commitment to management fee waterfalls.
JD, UC Law San Francisco (Hastings). Harvard University. 2025 Super Lawyers Rising Star. Dad, mountain biker, surfer, climber. Based in Los Angeles.