What Sets Us Apart
With 10 years of proven results and more than 8 decades of collective, industry-leading experience, we are optimally qualified and positioned to capitalize on unique speciality finance opportunities.
Our Experience is Your Advantage
We believe our actions should contribute to the prosperity of individuals and businesses and focus intensely on managing the downside — not losing money is our first priority. As part of our commitment to integrity and accountability, we are invested alongside our investors. With Fund Managers and Directors owning more than 35% of total fund equity, we are properly incentivized to continue to deliver attractive, risk-adjusted returns to investors for decades to come.
Who Leads Us
Fund Managers
David Gens
Founder & CEO
- Founded Merchant in 2009
- Previously, Analyst at CAI Capital Partners, a New York based mid-market private equity firm
- Named Top 40 under 40 in
Business in Vancouver in 2014 - Named Top 30 under 30 in BC
Business Magazine in 2015 - Named a finalist in EY’s
Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016 and 2018 - Graduate of the prestigious UBC Portfolio Management Foundation
Peleg Bartfeld
Managing Partner
- Previously, Senior Financial Services Analyst at RBC Global Asset Management
- Winner of the Brendan Wood International TopGun Investment Minds Award in 2017
- Chartered Financial Analyst (2013)
- Graduate of the prestigious UBC Portfolio Management Foundation
Aaron Lightman
Managing Partner
- M&A, Finance and Commercial Lawyer
- Previously, Lawyer at Morgan Daniels Slager LLP and Lawson Lundell LLP
- Legal experience includes work on some of Canada’s largest transactions (over $12.5B)
- Called to the British Columbia Bar in 2009
- Juris Doctor from the University of Alberta
Kevin Clark
Managing Partner
- Previously, Founder Lendified.com (SMB Lending) / JUDI.AI (credit adjudication software)
- Co-Founder / Past Chair / Director of the Canadian Lenders Association
- Previously, Executive Roles within a 30 year history with Scotiabank:
- Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sales, Global Transaction Banking, Scotiabank
- Senior Vice President International Corporate & Commercial Banking, Scotiabank,
- Various senior roles – Corporate Banking & Capital Markets
- 12 year membership, Senior Executive Credit Committee
- Master of Business Administration, Ivey School of Business, Western University
Fund Directors
David Gens
President & CEO Merchant Growth
- Founded Merchant in 2009
- Previously, Analyst at CAI Capital Partners, a New York based mid-market private equity firm
- Named Top 40 under 40 in
Business in Vancouver in 2014 - Named Top 30 under 30 in BC
Business Magazine in 2015 - Named a finalist in EY’s
Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016 and 2018 - Graduate of the prestigious UBC Portfolio Management Foundation
Cody Green
Founder & Co-CEO Canada Drives
- Founder & Co-CEO of rapidly growing Canadian consumer fintech company
- Over 400 employees
- Placed 1st on the PROFIT500
list in 2016 - 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the
Year FinTech Category Winner § Named 2017 Canada’s Top 40
Under 40
Dimitri Kosturos
COO
VWR Capital
- COO of mortgage company with over $300M in assets
- Former President, BC MIC
Managers Association - Vice Chair, Langley Community
Services Society - Bachelor of Science Honors
Computer Science from California State University, Los Angeles
Kelly Klatik
Partner
Cypress Hills Partners
- Co-founder of Cypress Hills Partners, an alternative fund management company
- 27 years experience in investment banking and alternative asset sectors – specializing in strategy, finance, and operations
- Previously Director, Investment Banking at M Partners
- Master of Business Administration from Royal Road University, Institute of Corporate Directors designation from Rotman School of Business
Kevin Sandhu
Founder
Grow Technologies
- Previously, Founder & CEO of Grow Technologies, a fintech platform providing customer origination and engagement solutions to a wide range of banks, credit unions, and other financial services providers (acquired by ATB Financial in 2019)
- 10 years of private equity / investment banking experience prior to becoming a fintech entrepreneur
Investor Experience Team
Jane Court
VP Investor Experience
Sarah Lilley
Controller
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