Global fintech investor Portage announced today the launch of a late-stage, fintech-focused Portage Capital Solutions (“PCS”) Fund. Co-Heads Daniel Ballen and Devon Kirk will lead the strategy, focusing on structured opportunities in fintech and financial services companies globally and targeting investments over $50 million.
Devon Kirk has nearly two decades of experience in private equity and structured solutions with a focus on financials. Devon spent over ten years at CPP Investments, based in Toronto. She was most recently Managing Director & Head of Capital Solutions, overseeing financials, special situations and esoteric investments. Prior to that, she was a Managing Director in their Direct Private Equity group, focused on financials.
“We see many great companies that are looking for the right partner. Portage’s expertise and network in fintech and financial services are real differentiators as businesses look to navigate this market. We will deliver more than just capital,” said Devon Kirk.
Daniel Ballen has spent nearly twenty years investing in private equity, structured equity and special situations focused on the financial services, fintech and real estate technology sectors. Prior to Portage, he served as a Portfolio Manager at PIMCO, based in New York, where he led a team focused on structured equity and private equity investments in both North America and Europe for the firm’s alternatives franchise. Daniel has also served on the investment teams of Bain Capital and Pine Brook Partners, partnering with growing businesses across the fintech and financials landscape.
“In this market environment, we’re seeing accelerated demand for flexible capital solutions as entrepreneurs and shareholders look to continue the strong growth trajectory of their business,” said Daniel Ballen.
Portage believes PCS’ strategy is well-positioned to meet the demand for capital across all cycles in both public and private markets, whether for organic growth, M&A, or recapitalizations. PCS will leverage Portage’s existing platform, one of the largest global fintech specialist investment firms with over $3 billion in AUM, and benefit from its deep fintech experience, established sourcing network and proven value-creation expertise.
“Daniel and Devon bring extensive sourcing and transaction execution experience across asset classes,” said Adam Felesky, Co-Founder and CEO of Portage.
“Daniel and Devon bring extensive sourcing and transaction execution experience across asset classes,” said Adam Felesky, Co-Founder and CEO of Portage. “Together, we can expand our efforts to partner with later stage visionary fintech entrepreneurs providing both capital and a value creation network that supports them throughout the life of their business.”
"Portage is building a global platform investing in what we view as the top financial services leaders across the globe,” said Paul Desmarais III, Chairman and CEO of Sagard. “With talented professionals such as Daniel and Devon, we are excited to support companies from early-stage to growth.”
The PCS team is based in New York and Toronto, with plans for further expansion over time. The team will be active in the third quarter of 2022, with fundraising efforts already underway.
About Portage
Portage is a global fintech investor with US$3 billion under management* that partners with some of the world’s most innovative financial technology companies. Portage's mission is to be the leading fintech investor globally, empowering entrepreneurs and attracting top talent motivated to reshape financial services. The Portage team has deep entrepreneurial and industry experience and provides founders with privileged access to the firm’s partners, in-house value creation experts, and a broader global fintech ecosystem. Portage is a subsidiary of multi-strategy alternative asset manager Sagard. The firm has offices in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Paris and London.
About Sagard
Sagard is a multi-strategy alternative asset manager with more than US$14 billion under management** and professionals located in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Sagard seeks attractive investment returns by combining its entrepreneurial and disciplined culture with flexible capital and a unique global network of portfolio companies, limited partners, advisors and other valued relationships. As a firm, Sagard operates platforms that invest across five asset classes: venture capital, private equity, private credit, real estate and healthcare royalties. Sagard also engages in private wealth management and new venture creation through its ecosystem partners.