Davit Gvelesiani, Finance Expert in Rochester, NY, United States
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Davit Gvelesiani

Verified Expert  in Finance

Bio

Davit is a 2025 Incoming Investment Banking Associate at Santander in their New York energy, infrastructure, and transition coverage. During his recent summer, he worked on transactions worth $30+ billion, including projects in oil and gas, hydrogen, carbon capture, and solar panels and module manufacturing. Currently, Davit is a second-year MBA candidate at the University of Rochester. He serves as CEO of the local venture fund focusing on early-stage startups across technology and healthcare.

Career Highlights

Incoming Investment Banking Associate
Santander Corporate & Investment Banking
President & CEO
University of Rochester Venture Capital Fund
Investment Banking Analyst
TBC Capital

Education Highlights

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Rochester
Bachelor's Degree
Free University of Tbilisi

Certification Highlights

SFIC Financial Modeling Training – Wall Street Guide
Financial Edge
Financial & Valuation Modeling
Wall Street Prep

Case Studies

Work Experience

Incoming Investment Banking Associate

2024 - PRESENT
Santander Corporate & Investment Banking
  • Facilitated the $25 billion fundraising process for a natural gas transportation, liquefaction, and storage project, targeting $10.5 billion equity investment from mega-funds. Provided sensitivity analyses reflecting changes per investor requirements.
  • Built DCF, precedent transactions, public comparable, and LBO back-solve models to evaluate a potential $3.3 billion buy-side LBO of a renewable natural gas project. Advised the U.S.-based energy mega-fund on the optimal price during auction rounds.
  • Spearheaded the development of a lender's presentation for $2 billion Terex's acquisition of Environmental Solutions Group (ESG) from Dover Corporation. Collaborated with the Leveraged Finance team to facilitate the syndicated loan financing led by UBS.
  • Led the $800 million M&A process and formation of a joint venture between a U.S.-based solar module and cell manufacturer and Chinese solar module and battery companies. Built the financial model and pitch deck and contributed to client presentations.
  • Created a $300 million investor presentation and press release for Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure Inc.’s acquisition of Mobile Energy Rentals LLC. Worked closely with the Leveraged Finance team to provide exclusive financing for the transaction.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Leveraged Finance, Energy, Infrastructure & Transition, Microsoft Excel, Cash Flow Analysis, Value Creation, Financial Forecasting, Sensitivity Analysis

President & CEO

2023 - PRESENT
University of Rochester Venture Capital Fund
  • Led the investment strategy for the University of Rochester Venture Capital Fund, overseeing $30 million in capital and focusing on seed and early-stage startups across technology, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing sectors.
  • Managed a team of six vice presidents, 12 associates, and 60 analysts, overseeing deal sourcing, strategic partnerships, portfolio management processes, and the recruitment, learning, and development of junior team members.
  • Spearheaded due diligence for 35+ startups, conducting financial analyses, market research, and competitive landscape assessments. Communicated directly with founders and coordinated presentations to the board members for final investment decisions.
  • Negotiated term sheets and financing structures, securing favorable deal terms for the fund's portfolio companies while fostering strong relationships with founders and co-investors.
  • Developed and presented quarterly fund performance reports to investors, showcasing portfolio growth, market positioning, and strategic outlook for future investments.
Focus areas: Startup Funding, Investments, Microsoft Excel, Cash Flow Analysis, Value Creation, Financial Forecasting, Sensitivity Analysis

Investment Banking Analyst

2022 - 2023
TBC Capital
  • Built DCF, merger, and LBO models for transactions totaling $800 million while liaising with bank clients and potential investors during auction process negotiations across Georgia's TMT, energy, real estate, and infrastructure sectors.
  • Spearheaded a $45 million LBO transaction of VEON Ltd.'s (multinational telecom services company) Georgian branch. Delivered an LBO model and pitch deck presentation for local banks and international financial institutions joining a syndicated debt financing.
  • Evaluated seven energy transactions collectively exceeding $200 million. Initiated and published a macroeconomic report on countrywide electricity consumption patterns and utilized it to forecast future market price dynamics during valuations.
  • Assessed a portfolio of properties worth over $250 million. Evaluated hotels operating under international and local brands, restaurants, commercial and residential buildings, warehouses, development projects, and land plots for decision-making purposes.
  • Led a cross-functional collaboration between investment and corporate banking teams to evaluate and secure successful financing for a $175 million LBO transaction of a leading Georgian FMCG company operating under the international brand Spar LLC.
Focus areas: Investment Banking, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Transaction Advisory, Real Estate, Excel Expert, Excel Modeling, Telecommunications, Renewables, Energy Utilities, Marine Ports & Infrastructure, Pitch Deck Consultant, Pitch Decks, Residential Real Estate, Private Banking, Banking & Finance, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), Financial Markets, Business Strategy, Strategic Planning & Execution, Early-stage Startups, Business Models, Startups, Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising, Fundraising Consultant, Seed Fundraising, Startup Funding, Business Validation, Financial Products, Budgeting, Forecasting, Accounting, Equity Research, Bloomberg Terminal, Equities, Asset Allocation, Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financing, Clean Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar, Three-statement Modeling, RiskMetrics, Debt, Mezzanine, DCF Valuation, DCF Modeling, Excel 365, Data Analysis, Investment Memoranda, Investment Committee Advisory, M&A Due Diligence (Financial), Project Finance, Investment Analysis, Industrials, Finance, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Public Companies, Financial Statements, Private Equity, Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF), Market Research, Eastern Europe, Data, Construction, Debt Raises, Hotels & Lodging, Hospitality, Private Equity Valuation, Real Estate Development, Waterfall Modeling, Venture Capital, Information Memoranda, Structured Finance, Microsoft Excel, Cash Flow Analysis, Value Creation, Financial Forecasting, Sensitivity Analysis

Transaction Advisory Services Analyst

2020 - 2022
EY
  • Evaluated transactions and provided strategic advice to the Government of Georgia in 25 transaction advisory, feasibility study, and regulatory impact analysis projects across the country's telecom, renewable energy, and real estate sectors.
  • Evaluated a leading Georgian convergent telecommunication provider as $425 million for MD&A purposes; facilitated a strategic $115 million transaction involving a leading Georgian mobile telecom company acquiring a Georgian fixed-line telecom operator.
  • Managed a corporate restructuring project for a Georgian mobile telecom service provider; led client relationships, designed end-to-end business processes in ARIS, created new mobile bundle offers, and improved operational efficiency by 20%.
  • Provided consultancy services to the Government of Georgia on potential MVNO applications in the telecommunications sector and developing exchange systems in the energy market; researched the potential economic impact of an around 500 MW/H hydropower plant.
  • Guided investors in shaping their long-term business strategies and enhancing their market penetration; engineered feasibility studies for potential investments across diverse sectors, including real estate, logistics, and manufacturing.
Focus areas: Transaction Advisory, Strategy, Consulting, Real Estate, Excel Expert, Excel Modeling, Telecommunications, Renewables, Energy Utilities, Marine Ports & Infrastructure, Pitch Deck Consultant, Pitch Decks, Residential Real Estate, Private Banking, Banking & Finance, Financial Markets, Business Strategy, Strategic Planning & Execution, Early-stage Startups, Business Models, Startups, Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising, Fundraising Consultant, Seed Fundraising, Startup Funding, Business Validation, Budgeting, Forecasting, Accounting, Equity Research, Bloomberg Terminal, Equities, Asset Allocation, Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financing, Clean Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar, Three-statement Modeling, RiskMetrics, Debt, Mezzanine, DCF Valuation, DCF Modeling, Excel 365, Data Analysis, Project Finance, Investment Analysis, Industrials, Finance, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Public Companies, Financial Statements, Private Equity, Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF), Market Research, Eastern Europe, Data, Construction, Hotels & Lodging, Hospitality, Private Equity Valuation, Real Estate Development, Waterfall Modeling, Information Memoranda, Structured Finance, Microsoft Excel, Cash Flow Analysis, Value Creation, Financial Forecasting, Sensitivity Analysis

Corporate Finance Analyst

2019 - 2020
Silknet
  • Provided recommendations for the decision-making process by analyzing and presenting three major financial statements and other relevant industry-specific financial reports of a local telecom company with $140M of annual revenue.
  • Administered post-merger procedures of a $145M transaction, collaborating with local and international external consultants; contributed to fostering consolidation synergy and guiding integration, ensuring successful alignment of business operations.
  • Helped senior analysts and KPMG auditors in auditing and issuing financial statements; created presentations for investors holding $200M of Eurobonds and actively contributed to budget creation, strategy formulation, and account separation projects.
  • Worked with cross-functional teams in accounting, operations, and marketing departments; expanded the billing system within the 1C, optimized reports, and increased the efficiency of internal processes, resulting in a 15% improved financial accuracy.
Focus areas: Corporate Finance, Budgeting, Excel Expert, Excel Modeling, Telecommunications, Pitch Decks, Banking & Finance, Financial Markets, Business Strategy, Strategic Planning & Execution, Business Models, Fundraising, Forecasting, Interim Financial Controllers, Controller, Internal Financial Reporting, Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financing, Three-statement Modeling, RiskMetrics, Debt, DCF Valuation, DCF Modeling, Excel 365, Data Analysis, Project Finance, Investment Analysis, Finance, Financial Statements, Market Research, Eastern Europe, Data, Information Memoranda, Structured Finance, Microsoft Excel, Cash Flow Analysis, Value Creation, Financial Forecasting, Sensitivity Analysis
2023 - 2024

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Private Equity & Venture Capital

University of Rochester - Rochester, NY

2017 - 2021

Bachelor's Degree in Banking and M&A

Free University of Tbilisi - Tbilisi, Georgia

SEPTEMBER 2023 - PRESENT

SFIC Financial Modeling Training – Wall Street Guide

Financial Edge

JULY 2023 - PRESENT

Financial & Valuation Modeling

Wall Street Prep

Finance

Financial Modeling, Valuation, M&A (Buy-side), M&A (Sell-side), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Budgeting, Forecasting, DCF Valuation, Private Banking, Fundraising, Controller, Internal Financial Reporting, Accounting, Equity Research, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, RiskMetrics, Debt, Mezzanine, Data Analysis, Project Finance, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Private Equity, Market Research, Debt Raises, Private Equity Valuation, Value Creation, Startup Funding, Asset Allocation, Investment Memoranda, Corporate Finance, Seed Fundraising, M&A Modeling, Financial Accounting, Comparable Company Analysis

Output Software

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint

Industry Expertise

Real Estate, Telecommunications, Residential Real Estate, Banking & Finance, Financial Markets, Early-stage Startups, Renewable Energy, Construction, Hotels & Lodging, Hospitality, Real Estate Development, Industrials, Public Companies, Venture Capital

Geographic Expertise

Eastern Europe

Other

S&P Capital IQ, Bloomberg Terminal, Financial Analysis, Strategy, Investment Banking, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Excel Expert, Excel Modeling, Energy Utilities, Renewables, Marine Ports & Infrastructure, Pitch Deck Consultant, Pitch Decks, Business Strategy, Strategic Planning & Execution, Business Models, Startups, Business Validation, Interim Financial Controllers, Equities, Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), Finance, Financing, Clean Energy, DCF Modeling, Excel 365, M&A Due Diligence (Financial), Investment Analysis, Financial Statements, Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF), Data, Waterfall Modeling, Information Memoranda, Structured Finance, Cash Flow Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Sensitivity Analysis, Exit Strategy, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising Consultant, Financial Products, Solar, Investment Committee Advisory, Transaction Advisory, Consulting, Modeling, Peer Comparison, M&A Strategy, IT Strategy, Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, Corporate Restructuring, Investments, Precedent Transaction Analysis, Leveraged Finance, Early-stage Venture Capital, Energy, Infrastructure & Transition

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