Matthew Ongaro
Founder of Prideaux Haven Capital Partners
Matthew Ongaro
Founder of Prideaux Haven Capital Partners
Los Angeles, California
Overview
Work Experience
Co-Founder
2022 - Current
Private six person investment group with an LP commitment to Cottonwood Technology Fund - Fund III and direct investments into Infinitum Electric (Series C and Series D) and Green Theme Technologies (Series B-2). Manage all capital calls, investor relations, FP&A, legal filings and taxes for the LLC.
Consultant
2023 - 2024
Completed a majority interest investment in to a middle market physical and digital youth STEM education company.
Investment Management
2023 - 2024
Carina Initiatives is a venture philanthropy firm focused on improving the STEM education system in the United States through early stage investments and incubation developments.
Junior Partner
2021 - 2022
Sourced and executed new US and European early stage, deep tech venture capital investments. Cottonwood leads investment rounds in climate technology, space technology, robotics, semiconductors, photonics, advanced materials, defense & aerospace and biotech, among others. Cottonwood funded six new investments and nine follow-on investments during my employment, ranging in stages Seed to Series D and round sizes $3M to $100M+. I worked directly with portfolio company executives on strategy and capital raising. One of three Partners focused on the Cottonwood Fund III fundraising process. We successfully reached our $75M Fund III target with an oversubscribed effort from Family Offices, Corporates and Government agencies. Board observer: Bayotech Hydrogen, Infinitum Electric, mPower Technology, Circular Genomics, Horne Technologies, BennuBio, BioFlyte, Armonica Technologies, LatticeX and Green Theme Technologies.
Senior Associate, Corporate Development
2020 - 2021
Developed M&A strategy and executed acquisitions for the company, as well as product-focused partnerships. Completed the acquisition of DevelopIntelligence in Oct 2020, adding the adjacency of instructor-led technology training to support one of the pillars of Pluralsight's strategy; upon Vista Equity's acquisition of Pluralsight 6 months later, the DevelopIntelligence deal created more than $130M in realized shareholder value, a 350% cash-on-cash return Completed the acquisition of Next Tech in January 2021, adding the capability to transform Pluralsight's video-based courses into hands-on learning experiences
Principal
2018 - 2019
HALO Ventures (n/k/a Halogen - A Venture Studio) was a venture incubator consisting of six serial entrepreneurs focusing on entertainment technology, music publishing and artist management. I worked directly with the six partners of the firm as their “right-hand man” on an individual and group level. I mostly focused on capital raising, FP&A, valuation models, data analysis, and business development. The firm dissolved in 2022.
Investment Analyst
2015 - 2017
WestRiver Group ("WRG") is a Seattle based venture capital, private equity and alternative asset firm investing in technology, life sciences, energy and entertainment & media companies. Worked on a small team funding $1M to $15M Mezzanine and Senior debt loans to technology, life sciences and energy companies. Successfully raised a Fund IV with over $100M in equity fund commitments and access to 50-70% leverage. Sourced and executed venture capital investments in technology, sports & entertainment and consumer industries. A majority of my time was devoted to portfolio company support. Supported WRG leadership in fundraising. Built relationships with local Seattle venture capital firms. Recruited two junior investment associates which stayed employees until the acquisition of their division by Silicon Valley Bank in 2020.
Investment Banking Analyst
2013 - 2015
Cascadia Capital is the leading investment bank in the Pacific Northwest serving private and public companies with M&A, corporate finance and strategic advisory services. I started with Cascadia as a student intern and upon graduation I successfully transitioned to a full-time investment banking analyst. I built financial and valuation models for mostly middle-market sized companies, created pitch book and confidential information memorandums, conducted market research, led buyer outreach and managed due diligence processes.
Multi-asset Strategy Solutions and Index Reconstitution Intern
2013 - 2013
Russell Investments is a global asset management and equity index firm. The company was sold and split up with the asset management division now being owned by TA Associates and the index division being owned by London Stock Exchange Group. I held two internships during my time at Russell Investments. My first internship was with the Index Reconstitution team. I researched corporate actions to determine shareholder and beneficial ownership changes to calculate index value adjustments. My second internship was with the Multi-Asset Strategy team. I worked with portfolio managers and investment strategists to help our team determine the optimal asset allocation for a variety of investment solutions.