Andy Smetana

In addition to his work as a business advisor, Andy has extensive experience in venture capital financings, complex merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions, divestitures, securities offerings and corporate governance. He also has experience advising companies in preparing for and executing initial public offerings (IPOs). With a wealth of experience in the field, Andy has a proven track record in negotiating and executing deals that allow companies to grow, flourish and successfully exit.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Andy is also deeply committed to giving back to his community. As an active volunteer with CASA of Travis County and a member of its board of directors, he is dedicated to protecting children and advocating for their interests.

Prior to joining Pillsbury, Andy was the managing partner in the Austin office of another international law firm.

• Representative VC and PE Financings Experience
  
  • Represented Lumenci, Inc. in its strategic investment from VSS Capital Partners and Century Equity Partners
  • Represented TestFit in its Series A financing led by Parkway Venture Capital and Prologis.
  • Represented SiteOwl in its Series Seed financing led by Next Coast Ventures.
  • Represented Vapor IO in its $90 million Series C financing, which included participation from Berkshire Partners and Crown Castle, and Series A financing led by Goldman Sachs.
  • Represented Homeward’s founder and CEO Tim Heyl regarding his personal interests in the company’s Series B financing led by Norwest Venture Partners.
  • Represented One Drop in its Series A Preferred Stock financing led by RRE Ventures and its Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock financings, which were both led by Bayer.
  • Represented RealWork Labs in its Series Seed financing led by LiveOak Ventures.
  • Represented the management team of Bloomfire in its growth equity investment transaction from Primus Capital.
  • Represented LF Bioenergy in its growth equity financing from Cresta Funds.
  • Represented RidersShare in its Series A financing.
  • Represented GTL Americas in its $70 million initial financing led by a South Korean business conglomerate.
  • Represented ForeFlight in its investment from Sumeru Equity Partners.

• Representative Mergers & Acquisitions Experience
  
  • Represented Sweet River in the sale of its honey and bee-keeping business to Sweet Harvest Foods Holdings.
  • Represented Beezy in its sale to Appspace.
  • Represented Shield GEO in its sale to private-equity-backed Velocity Global.
  • Represented AllClear ID in its sale to Experian.
  • Represented Molecular Imprints in its sale of certain assets to Japan-based Canon and its subsequent sale of retained assets to Magic Leap.

• Representative Securities Offerings Experience
  
  • Represented Applied Optoelectronics (Nasdaq:AAOI) in connection with its public offerings, corporate governance and public reporting requirements.
  • Represented a private equity firm in its investment in PIPEs.
  • Represented a public oil field service company in connection with multiple PIPEs.
  • Represented a leading investment bank as lead underwriter in the IPO and follow-on public offering completed by Q2 Holdings.
  • Represented Bazaarvoice in its IPO and subsequent follow-on offering.
  • Represented a leading investment bank as lead underwriter in a follow-on public offering completed by Exact Target.

• Served as general counsel for a data center startup, joining pre-funding and pre-revenue (2015–2016).
• Austin Bar Association, Technology Section, Co-Chair and Treasurer (2019–2022)
• Texas Bar Association, Member
• California Bar Association, Business Section, Member
• Recent Speaking Engagements
  • “Preparing for M&A or Financing Transactions,” 38th Annual Technology Law Conference (May 8, 2025)
  • “Investor Insights: M&A State of the Market,” TechRise Executive Symposium (March 25, 2025)
  • “Cap Table Best Practices,” Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs of Austin SXSW Panel (March 8, 2025)
  • “Strategic vs. Financial Investors: the Impact on Startups in VC/PE Deals,” IBA 6th Annual Silicon Hills Conference (February 13, 2025)
  • “Key Considerations in Private M&A Deals in Uncertain Market Conditions,” 37th Annual Technology Law Conference (May 23, 2024)
  • “Key Trends in Private Company Mergers and Acquisitions,” 36th Annual Technology Law Conference (May 25, 2023)
  • “Selling Ahead of Availability: Lessons Learned on Funding, Transparency and Corporate Governance from the Theranos Saga and Elizabeth Holmes’ Criminal Conviction,” Texas Life Science Forum (February 24, 2022)
  • “You’ve Signed a Term Sheet for Equity Financing. Now What?,” 26th Annual Texas Minority Counsel Program (October 18, 2018)