SWAT Equity invests in high-growth consumer brands that are disrupting their categories with a differentiated product, service or technology.
Our combined experience in brand-building, creative vision, operational know-how, financial discipline, and investment expertise enables SWAT Equity to identify the brands that are positioned to break through the norms.
We are early investors in the brands consumers can’t live without, before they know they can’t live without them.
All of our portfolio companies have an authentic branding position, excel at storytelling and are laser-focused on building meaningful and lasting relationships with their customers.
Sarah Foley
PARTNER
Senior finance and investment professional with over 25 years of venture capital, private equity and financial advisory experience. Served as CFO of a New York City-based food company for over two years. Also served as a member of multiple private company boards of directors.
Jonah Kaner
BRANDING & DIGITAL
10+ years of experience in the social and digital space. Helps clients leverage digital as a fluid extension of strategy and creative to build stronger relationships with the end customer.
Richard Kirshenbaum
FOUNDING PARTNER
Over 30 years of experience as a leading figure in the advertising industry, co-founder of famed Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners and a pioneer of concepts like the pop-up store, sidewalk advertising and guerrilla marketing. Currently CEO of SWAT by Kirshenbaum, a creative brand studio.
Mark Hauser
FOUNDING PARTNER
A global middle-market private equity investing professional who has served as an officer and on the board of directors of numerous public and private companies. Has over 30 years of experience investing in private, family-owned businesses in the United States and abroad.
Lucy Halperin
FORMER ADVISOR / COO AT SWEET LOREN’S
An executive in the consumer products industry with over 40 years of experience. Former Advisor to and COO at Sweet Loren's, and the former CEO and President of Tee Pee Olives (Italica Imports), where Lucy successfully scaled the company to an exit. Lucy is an active angel investor and serves on the board of and as a strategic advisor to several early-stage consumer brands.
Gertrude Allen
CEO OF PET PLATE
CEO of Pet Plate and a background spanning PR, branding, marketing and investing, with a focus on the nutrition and wellness space. Serves on the board of and as a strategic advisor to several private companies, including a food brand and another consumer-focused VC.
Bill Gentner
FORMER PRESIDENT/CEO AT KAO CORPORATION
An executive in the consumer products industry with a 35-year career spanning advertising, brand marketing and general management. Former President/CEO of Kao Corporation for over 18 years. Currently advising investment banks, PE firms and business owners as well as serving on several private company boards.
Lauren Gropper
FOUNDER OF REPURPOSE
Founder and CEO of Repurpose, the leader in plant-based tableware. An eco-entrepreneur and green architecture pioneer with degrees from McGill and Pratt. Sustainable design consultant for international clients such as Bank of America and Fairmont as well as large TV Networks in Hollywood.
David IbnAle
FOUNDING & MANAGING PARTNER OF ADVANCE VENTURE PARTNERS
Founding Partner of Advance Venture Partners, an venture stage investment firm built in partnership with family-owned media company Advance, the owner of Condé Nast and largest shareholder of Charter, Discovery and Reddit. Active investor in enterprise and consumer technology companies for twenty five years, and angel investor and advisor to several early-stage investment firms. Previously, Managing Director and Head of Technology Practice at TPG Growth.
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