Frost Brown Todd (FBT) has added Ryan Tharp as Partner in its Private Equity & Venture practice in Denver. Tharp joins FBT with deep experience in partnership and corporate tax matters, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private placements, corporate governance, and commercial issues, allowing him to provide comprehensive, business-focused legal guidance across a wide range of transactions.
“Ryan is deeply involved with Denver’s fast-growing startup and venture community, and has developed a stellar reputation as a talented, business-focused advisor for companies across a wide range of industries,” said Eddy Moore, Leader of FBT’s Private Equity & Venture practice group. “His broad experience across the technology, software, manufacturing, and professional services industries will be especially valuable for growing our footprint in Denver’s innovation economy.”
Tharp advises entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders on the legal and strategic aspects of building and scaling companies. His practice spans the full company lifecycle —from formation and financing to growth, operations, and exit—and includes representing startups, angel investors, and venture capital funds. He also advises investors and venture capital funds on fund formation, investments, and governance matters.
He regularly counsels emerging companies on entity formation, founder agreements, equity compensation, and fundraising through Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE), convertible notes, and priced rounds. As outside general counsel for startups and small companies, he supports clients with commercial contracts, joint ventures, technology transactions, and protection of intellectual property and trade secrets.
“I’m excited to join a firm with a strong reputation in the private equity and venture capital space,” said Tharp. “I look forward to leveraging Frost Brown Todd’s national platform to provide even greater support to my emerging clients as they grow and scale.”
Tharp earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Colorado, Boulder; his Juris Doctor from University of Colorado Law School; and his Master of Business Administration and Master of Science from University of Colorado, Denver. He was selected for inclusion in the Denver 5280 Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Mergers and Acquisitions 2025 list and was a Colorado Rising Stars® for Business/Corporate Law in 2018 and 2020-2024.