A Unique Investment Opportunity
Beginning in 2010, Merchant Opportunities Fund provides investors with what we see as the best opportunity for investment in the private and public markets: returns typically only accessible to institutional or accredited investors through private investments, coupled with greater liquidity options through flexible redemption rights.
Merchant Opportunities Fund invests in short-term, small to mid-sized business credit and consumer loans originated by successful specialty finance companies with proven and established portfolios.
The result has been a 9% average annual compound return since 2010. And our capital has contributed to the prosperity of more than 14,000 Canadian small businesses and individuals while successfully earning profits of more than $8 Million for our investors.
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
Chief Financial Officer
- 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
Chief Legal Officer
- 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
Chief Revenue Officer
- 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
- 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
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
Erin Stockwell
VP Investor Experience
Sarah Lilley
Controller
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