ThinkEquity

Office address: 17 State St 41st floor, New York, NY 10004
Website: www.think-equity.com
Year established: 2001
Company type: investment banking firm
Employees: 45+
Expertise: healthcare, technology, media, telecommunications, clean tech, energy, investment banking, trading, mergers and acquisitions, debt financing, equity research, early-stage financing, electric vehicles, energy infrastructure, renewable energy
Parent company: Fordham Holdings, Inc.
Key people: Ramnarain Jaigobind (CEO); William Baquet (president); Chirag Choudhary, Eric Lord, Scott Rothbaum, Philip Quartuccio (department heads); Mark Peikin (managing director)
Financing status: N/A

ThinkEquity is a boutique investment bank based in New York City that specializes in IPOs, at-the-market (ATM) programs, and private placements. With over 275 years of combined experience, it has collectively raised over $50 billion through public and private capital raises, restructurings, and mergers and acquisitions. They have over 45 professionals who provide a suite of tailored services for growth companies in sectors like life sciences and technology.

History of ThinkEquity

ThinkEquity was founded in 2001 by Michael Moe and Deborah Quazzo as a research-driven investment bank focused on growth sectors. In 2007, the firm was acquired by Panmure Gordon, a London-based bank, and rebranded as ThinkEquity LLC. Following the closure of its stock-trading division in 2012, the company filed for Chapter 7 liquidation.

In 2018, the firm re-emerged as a division of Fordham Financial Management and later merged with the firm. Since its revival, the company has played a significant role in underwriting SPAC IPOs and advising on business combinations. Today, it specializes in private placements, PIPEs, debt financing, mergers and acquisitions, and more.

Products and Services of ThinkEquity

ThinkEquity offers a range of financial services, focusing on capital raising and advisory solutions for emerging growth sectors. These include:

• investment banking: provides IPOs, follow-on offerings, and other capital markets solutions
• equity research: focuses on in-depth analysis of growth industries like life sciences
• institutional sales: engages in distributing equities to institutional investors
• trading: offers market-making and liquidity services across various asset classes
• debt capital markets: helps companies raise non-dilutive financing options
• mergers and acquisitions: advises on business combinations, including SPAC transactions
• private client group: provides bespoke investment management services to high-net-worth individuals

ThinkEquity is a leader in investment banking and institutional sales, with dedicated teams handling IPOs, PIPEs, private placements, and SPACs. The firm also excels in debt capital markets, providing non-dilutive financing solutions for both private and public companies.

Culture at ThinkEquity

ThinkEquity has a culture of continuing innovation and focusing on problem-solving while encouraging optimism and pride in all aspects of the business. The company maintains high ethical standards and focuses on quickly adapting to the changing financial landscape. Their goal is to deliver excellence and stay ahead of industry trends, while offering employees the following benefits:

• thrive in a fast-paced, transaction-focused environment
• work with executives in emerging industries, such as life sciences and technology
• join an experienced team to begin or grow a career in investment banking
• execute transactions across various growth sectors and engage with top-level business leaders
• receive commission-based compensation, paid monthly, in addition to a base salary

The company promotes its “ThinkEquity standards” by partnering only with clients they believe will make a significant impact, focusing on long-term value. The firm strives to uncover hidden opportunities and consistently deliver superior outcomes. Committed to overcoming challenges and achieving exceptional results for investors and issuers, it also upholds the following standards:

• maintain ethical standards in all client work
• foster solutions with optimism and pride, even in difficult situations
• quickly adapt to changing market conditions to stay ahead of the curve
• continuously strive to be the best in the industry

ThinkEquity employees appreciate the hands-on experience and full exposure to the deal-making process, with lean teams that offer valuable learning opportunities. The CEO is actively involved, creating a collaborative environment where beginners can grow and develop. Staff enjoy a supportive office culture, with a good mix of work, mentorship, and occasional team lunches.

About ThinkEquity CEO Ramnarain Jaigobind and Key People

Ramnarain Jaigobind is the CEO of ThinkEquity, bringing over 30 years of experience in financial services. Before this, he held roles at Maxim Group, Rodman & Renshaw, Investec Ernst & Co., and Shearson Lehman American Express. Jaigobind also serves as a director at Empourus Limited and was previously a board director of the US-Pakistan Business Council.

ThinkEquity's leadership team consists of highly experienced professionals who oversee key areas of the firm’s strategic initiatives:

• William Baquet is the president and COO, managing daily operations and leading business development efforts across the firm
• Chirag Choudhary serves as head of equity capital markets, guiding capital raising activities through public and private equity offerings
• Eric Lord is head of investment banking, leading teams on mergers, acquisitions, and corporate advisory services
• Scott Rothbaum serves as head of institutional sales, managing relationships with institutional investors and overseeing large-scale equity transactions
• Philip P. Quartuccio is managing director, head of global trading, responsible for executing trading strategies across global markets
• Mark Peikin Esq. is the managing director of investment banking, focusing on complex financial advisory services and capital raising for emerging growth companies

The Future at ThinkEquity

ThinkEquity recently hired Mark Howard Peikin as managing director, bolstering its investment banking division. Peikin brings over 20 years’ experience advising companies in biotech, fintech, and AI, which will help strengthen the firm’s capabilities. His addition supports ThinkEquity’s mission to drive growth for emerging businesses and expand its role in capital raising and innovation across various sectors.

The firm has formed a strategic partnership with Cyber A.I. Group to support its acquisition goals through structured and convertible debt financing. The company will help Cyber A.I., a fast-growing company in the cybersecurity and AI sector, achieve its ambitious $100 million revenue target. ThinkEquity’s deep expertise in debt financing and strong connections with regional banks will be instrumental in securing long-term funding for the partnership’s growth.