NEW YORK | LONDON | March 7th, 2022 – Drake Star achieved record performance in 2021 by providing an exceptional caliber of service to our clients worldwide and the firm remains dedicated to the growth and development of its best-in-class team. While navigating a global pandemic, remote work environment, and unprecedented market dynamics, our teams worldwide have delivered award-winning results and together have completed over 50 M&A and Corporate Finance transactions during 2021.
A strong partnership ethos has always been a core part of Drake Star’s corporate culture and the firm’s “Collegium of Managing Partners” meets annually to identify the next generation of senior leaders. Today, we are pleased to announce that Juan Mejia in New York and Eric Ward in London have been promoted to Managing Partner of Drake Star.
Juan Mejia’s recent landmark M&A deals in the Retail Tech sector include the sale of retail media company Pacvue to Assembly (a portfolio company of PSG and Advent), the sale of product content company Pinto to Spins (a portfolio company of Warburg Pincus), and the sale of ONEX-owned product content and syndication platform Kwikee to Syndigo – recognized as the Americas Deal of the Year by the M&A Atlas Awards.
“I am honored to be appointed a Managing Partner in recognition of the success I have enjoyed at Drake Star thanks to the support of Gregory Bedrosian and the rest of the Drake Star team. I look forward to our continued momentum in 2022 and beyond.” - Juan Mejia
Among the many market-leading Digital Media, Software/SaaS and Consumer & Retail Tech deals Eric Ward has led include the majority sale of Mayfair Equity Partners-owned logistics tech company Parcel2Go to EQT, the sale of visual content platform EyeEm to NewValue, and the sale of visual content leader Freepik Company to EQT – a transaction recognized as the Europe M&A Deal of the Year by the M&A Atlas Awards.
“After a record year at Drake Star, I’m excited to join the Managing Partner group. I am grateful to our entire global team for the collaborative success we have achieved, and I look forward to another record-breaking year in 2022.” – Eric Ward
Gregory Bedrosian, Managing Partner & CEO of Drake Star commented, “I am delighted that our firm’s leadership team and partnership continues to grow with the elevation of these two talented bankers to Managing Partner -- Juan Mejia and Eric Ward. Their dedication and contribution to our firm’s clients, to our internal team as mentors, and to the broader tech deal-making ecosystem amidst this historically complex environment has been recognized by these much-deserved promotions. We look forward to their continued impactful contributions here in 2022 and beyond.”
About Drake Star
Drake Star is an award-winning global tech investment bank that has completed over 400 transactions since 2013. Drake Star team of over 100 senior professionals across offices in New York, London, Paris, Munich, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berlin, Geneva, Dubai*, and Singapore* focuses on mergers & acquisitions and corporate finance services worldwide in Consumer & Retail Technology, Digital Media, FinTech, Mobility & Sustainability, Software/SaaS, Digital Services, and Industrial Tech sectors.
Drake Star is the marketing name for the global investment bank Drake Star Partners Limited and its subsidiaries and affiliates. In the USA, all securities are transacted through Drake Star Securities LLC. In the USA, Drake Star Securities LLC is regulated by FINRA and is a member of SIPC. Drake Star UK Limited (FRN 942020) is an appointed representative of Kession Capital Ltd (FRN582160) which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. © 2022 Drake Star Partners Limited.
For more information, visit www.drakestar.com.
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