Americas  Rising Dealmakers

Awards Recognition Ceremony & Editorial

WHAT, about: The inaugural A-list features highly accomplished, brilliant, and talented young dealmakers from the North American investor, legal and advisory transactional communities.

WHY, value: “Once in a life-time” recognition, validates the young dealmaker’s record and enthusiasm for closing value-creating deals. Likewise, these professionals will progressively take-on leadership role at their firms and industries for years to come.

WHO, criteria: Objectively selected based on the professional’s deal execution record, seven plus years of experience, and abilities – personifying the “Distinction in Dealmaking” qualities.

2018, list: Features 18 dealmakers from the private and growth equity investor class, 12 from the financial advisory group, 20 lawyers for a sum total of 50 dealmakers including 7 women.

The List: 2018

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Antoine G. Amunfakh
Profession: Private Equity Investor
Location: Los Angeles, California
Education: Duke University

Antoine focuses on investments in the Business and Industrial sectors. Antoine was involved in purchase of Sun Country Airlines, and AmQuip Crane Rental purchase from Clearlake Capital and Maxim Crane Works purchase from Platinum Equity, to form Maxim Crane-AmQuip.

Bob Nye
Profession: Growth Equity Investor
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Education: Princeton University

Bob focuses on evaluating investment opportunities in the software and tech related industries. Recent transactions executed by Bob include investments in Raptor Technologies and Cosential, and Sale of EMS Software to Accruent.

Nehal Raj
Profession: Private Equity Investor
Location: San Francisco, California
Education: M.B.A., Harvard Business School; MS Eng., Stanford University

Nehal leads investments in the technology practice group globally including buyout, growth equity and impact investment related transactions. Deals led by Nehal includes acquisition of Wind River from Intel, growth investment in C3 IoT, and investment in EverFi.

David Shainberg
Profession: Special Situation, Private Equity Investor
Location: Los Angeles, California
Education: New York University

David is responsible for finding new investment opportunities, conducting due diligence, structuring as well as for debt financing. David led the investment in Texas-based MOOYAH Holdings, a network of franchised restaurants offering fresh burgers.

Alex Soltani
Profession: Growth and Private Equity Investor
Location: Los Angeles, California
Education: University of California, Los Angeles

As a founder, Alex is involved in all aspect of investment life-cycle – from acquisitions, management to exit in technology and telecom related industries. Notable transactions include purchase of SchoolKidz.com from Staples and Sale of Syncplicity to Paris-based, Axway.

Colby K. Gibbins
Profession: Investment Banker, Special Situations
Location: Houston, Texas
Education: University of Texas at Austin

Colby advises on financing, debt placement and distressed M&A transactions across spectrum of Oil & Gas related industries among other sectors. Notable transactions involving Colby include placement of credit facility for Cogent Energy Services and Triple Five Energy Resources in restructuring of existing debt and private placement.

Neil Gupta
Profession: Investment Banker, Special Situations
Location: West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
Education: M.B.A., University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

Neil advises on M&A transactions, distressed deals, restructurings, recapitalizations and private placements. Notable transactions involving Neil include sale of Nighthawk Energy, Short Bark Industries sale to Point Blank Enterprises, Vitamin World sale to Feihe International.

David A. Kakareka
Profession: Transactions Advisor, Boutique
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Education: M.B.A., Loyola University, Business School

David works with clients to develop deal strategies including asset sales, negotiating financial structures and capital raise mandates across range of industries, including energy, logistics & distribution, industrials and business services.

Samrat Karnik
Profession: Investment Banker, Middle Markets
Location: Greenwich, Connecticut
Education: Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University

Samrat provides range of investment banking advice to middle-market industrial and environmental technology companies. Notable deals advised by Samrat includes sale of RedZone Robotics to Milestone Partners, as well as Argosy Private Equity and NewSpring Capital on sale of AUC Group to AquaVenture.

Daniel Kenney
Profession: Investment Banker, Boutique Specialist
Location: Denver, Colorado
Education: University of Colorado

Daniel advises clients on M&A, debt and equity financings related matters across a spectrum of TMT industries and sub-sectors. Recent transaction involving Daniel include sale of Hudson Fiber Network to ExteNet Systems.