TAMPA & ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA — [October 28, 2026] — Embarc Collective today announced Hill Ward Henderson as its newest Shared Services Partner, expanding member companies’ access to legal education and experienced legal professionals.

Through the program, Hill Ward Henderson will serve as a legal resource for Embarc Collective’s startups, helping founders navigate legal challenges as they build and scale their businesses. Hill Ward Henderson is joining Embarc Collective’s Shared Services Partner Program to support founders across areas including entity formation, founder agreements and vesting schedules, intellectual property assignment and protection, fundraising and securities compliance, commercial contracts, employment agreements and nondisclosure agreements.

Hill Ward Henderson brings extensive experience advising venture-backed technology companies across critical stages of growth, from company formation and early fundraising to complex transactions, regulatory challenges, and expansion. Through this partnership, Embarc Collective member companies will gain access to multidisciplinary legal expertise to help founders navigate these evolving challenges, including establishing strong legal foundations, managing fundraising and securities compliance, protecting intellectual property, and addressing increasingly complex legal needs as their businesses scale.

“Strong legal foundations give founders greater confidence to move quickly and make informed decisions as their companies grow,” said Nicholas Outman of Hill Ward Henderson. “We’re excited to work with Embarc Collective to share practical guidance, help founders recognize legal considerations earlier, and support the next generation of technology companies across Florida.” 

Since 2019, Embarc Collective has supported more than 145 startups and 300 founders across Florida through individualized coaching, programming and connections to experienced operators, investors, partners and fellow founders. 

“Founders face consequential legal decisions at every stage—from company formation and fundraising to hiring and commercial growth,” said Dr. Tim R. Holcomb, CEO of Embarc Collective. “By welcoming Hill Ward Henderson into our Shared Services Partner Program, we’re giving our members greater access to experienced legal professionals who will help them navigate the challenges that come with scaling a company.”

Embarc Collective’s member base includes bootstrapped and venture-backed founders as well as pre-seed, seed, and growth-stage companies, each with distinct needs as they grow. Through the Shared Services Partner Program, Hill Ward Henderson will provide member companies with greater access to the legal expertise and resources needed to navigate the complexities of building and scaling a technology company.

About Embarc Collective

Embarc Collective, a 501c3 non-profit, is a central landing zone for the most driven and focused startup builders in Florida, ranked as a top startup support program in the world by UBI Global. Embarc Collective offers vetted, curated live and on-demand coaching and programming, an ever-growing repository of resources and frameworks, and access to a network of corporate customers and investors, all amongst a peer community of 300 founders and cofounders of 145+ Florida-based early-stage tech startups and growth-stage companies. Embarc Collective member companies have created 1,400+ high-paying Florida-based tech and tech-enabled jobs, driving more than $100 million annually in economic returns to the state of Florida, and attract more than $100 million annually in seed, venture, and growth equity investment capital, capital that is invested directly into Florida-based companies.

Media Contact 

Kathy Osborne

kathy@embarccollective.com 

About Hill Ward Henderson

Hill Ward Henderson is one of Florida’s leading full-service law firms, serving businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout the Tampa Bay region, across Florida, and nationwide. With more than 125 attorneys and a multidisciplinary team of legal professionals, the firm provides strategic counsel and innovative solutions across a broad spectrum of industries and practice areas. The firm’s venture capital and emerging companies practice is a regional leader, advising entrepreneurs, high-growth companies, venture capital and growth equity firms, strategic investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals on their investment and business needs. For more information, visit hwhlaw.com.

Media Contact

Louise Henkel

louise.henkel@hwhlaw.com