FocusPoint Private Capital Group

Kevin Pizzolo is the Managing Director at FocusPoint responsible for marketing and capital raising from pension plans, institutions and family offices across the Eastern US. Prior to joining FocusPoint, Kevin was a Financial Consultant with AXA where he held his financial advisory practice, servicing both individuals and institutions. We asked Kevin a few questions about his values and life outside of work: Q: What are the core values that guide you in your professional life? A: I like to be someone you want to sit down and have a beer with. I want to be on a personal level with anyone I sit down with. Q: How do you spend your time outside of work? A: Enjoy spending time with my wife & two daughters, Skiing and going to the beach. Q: What are the most important skills required when raising capital from experienced investors? A: Strong knowledge of the product and being likeable.

Continuing with our team spotlights, meet Matt Grubb , Associate Director Prior to joining FocusPoint, Matt was an Associate in the Moelis & Company Private Funds Advisory group. Prior to Moelis & Company, he worked at UBS Group AG. Matt graduated with a B.S. in Finance from The Pennsylvania State University. We asked Matt to share a little about his role at FocusPoint and how he spends his time when he is not at work. Q: What role do you currently hold at the firm, and what are your primary responsibilities? A: I am on the distribution team and cover family offices and institutions across the US. Q: How do you like to spend your time outside of work? A: Enjoy spending time with family and friends. Also, I like to get out on the golf course and cheer on Philadelphia sports. Q: What are the most important skills required when raising capital from experienced investors? A: Thorough fund / deal knowledge, sensible persistence, and a willingness to travel to meet in person. #PrivateEquity #MeetTheTeam #FocusPoint

We invited our team to share a little behind the scenes of their roles, values and what they get up to outside of work. Starting with R. Michael Clurman, Jr. Michael is a Managing Director of FocusPoint with over 30 years of experience covering Family Offices and their founders, Private Equity sponsors and Hedge Fund firms in a variety of senior roles. Throughout his career he has developed and maintained relationships within these segments as a trusted capital raiser and advisor to a differentiated clientele base for both Private Funds and Direct Transactions. Michael shares a few insights with us about his role and life outside of the office Q: What role do you currently hold at the firm, and what are your primary responsibilities? A: Product Distribution Q: What led you to join our firm? A: Knowledgeable founders, I've known for 30+ years and a great reputation in the industry. Q: How do you spend your time outside of work? A: Anywhere there is an ocean. Q: What are the core values that guide you in your professional life? A: Truth and transparency. Q: What are the most important skills required when raising capital from experienced investors? A: Investors view of me as a trusted partner/advisor and a long, deep relationship with them.

US: Private credit braces for greater regulatory scrutiny   Does the perception of greater risk stemming from its largely middle-market borrower base, reveal a misunderstanding of the asset class?    In an interview with LPC, David Conrod said while middle-market borrowers may often have higher leverage than their larger counterparts, they "are not always riskier from an operating standpoint”.   Read more in the full article below

Congratulations to everyone at The Breast Cancer Research Foundation for raising over $11m at this year's Hot Pink Party in New York.  The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is one of the key non-profits supported by FocusPoint.  BCRF’s lifesaving mission is to prevent and end breast cancer. Now in its 30th year, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation stands as the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world.

Congratulations to Tara Bishop MD, MPH, FACP and Eileen Tanghal of FocusPoint client Black Opal Ventures, for closing their debut Fund in one of the most difficult capital raising markets, ever.    Tara and Eileen met as engineering students at MIT and founded Black Opal Ventures, a health tech-focused firm and share some of their insights in this article in Venture Capital Journal. #VentureCapital #FocusPoint