George Karam
Finance Expert
Location
New York, United States
Toptal Member Since
May 29, 2020
George is an advisor on valuations, corporate finance, strategy, funding, and M&A. He has over 15 years of international investment banking experience across various industries, deep knowledge of global markets, and unique analytical skills. He is a skilled financial modeler and excels in providing strategic and transaction advisory. George is a Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst with an MBA from MIT Sloan School. He is a dual national of the USA and Brazil.
George is available for hire
Hire GeorgeCareer Highlights
Financial Advisor
Financial Advisory
Vice President
Fredericks Michael & Co.
Principal
Galles Investimentos
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree
MIT Sloan School of Management
Select Certifications
Certified Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)
Corporate Finance Institute CFI
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
CFA Institute
CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst)
CAIA Association
Case Studies
Information Memorandum Template(s) -- e.g., Leading Data Center Company
M&A (Sell-side)Information Memoranda
M&A Buy-Side Process Management- incl. Target Valuation & Synergy Analyses
Financial ModelingDCF ValuationMetals & MiningScenario AnalysisSensitivity AnalysisLeverage Analysis+ 3 more
Company Presentation Template(s)
Information MemorandaPresentationsInvestor PresentationsLatin America (LATAM)Brazil
Expertise
Business PlanningCapital RaisingFinance StrategyInvestor PresentationsLeveraged Buyout ModelingMarket Research & AnalysisMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)ValuationWork Experience
2020 - PRESENT
Financial Advisor
Financial Advisory
- Acted as s senior advisor to São José Finanças, a Brazil-based advisory firm specializing in equity capital raise and sell-side M&A transactions.
- Took on the partner role at NextRound Partners, a US-based consulting firm for venture-backed companies in financial and strategic planning and capital raises.
- Acted as a senior advisor to 100Ventures, LLC, providing strategy consulting, financial planning and analysis, and business planning services.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Capital Raising, Finance Strategy, Strategy
2015 - 2019
Vice President
Fredericks Michael & Co.
- Managed 19 deals, including sell‐side and buy‐side mergers and acquisitions and debt and equity financings.
- Evaluated and advised on complex deal structures involving tax benefits, leveraged businesses, bankruptcy processes, and novelty financial derivates and earn‐out structures.
- Oversaw the development of complex valuation and leveraged buyout models containing intricate tax and payout structures.
- Provided oversight of due diligence processes—working closely with clients and third‐party advisors from inception to resolution.
Focus areas: Equity Financing, Debt Financing, M&A (Buy-side), M&A (Sell-side), Fundraising, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Market Research, SaaS
2014 - 2015
CFO
Bonzer, Inc.
- Worked for a technology startup co‐founded by MIT graduates. The enterprise’s objective is to provide an innovative oneway electric car-sharing service for the greater Boston area as a green urban mobility solution for commuters.
- Developed the initial business plan by studying alternative operational solutions, and building the financial model.
- Identified potential sources of capital, developed partnerships with public and private entities, and dealt with everyday administrative and legal matters.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Capital Raising, Business Planning
2006 - 2013
Principal
Galles Investimentos
- Co‐founded the firm and co‐led business development initiatives.
- Worked with clients to provide financial advisory and access to capital markets. Developed and oversaw a staff of highly qualified associates and financial analysts.
- Co‐launched investment management business, Galleas Asset Management, overseeing a team of equity analysts, reaching an AUM of $57 million, and spinning off the business within two years after a more than 100% ROI.
- Spearheaded Galleas' leveraged buyout of Intercontinental Furniture, Latin America's largest furniture exporter.
Focus areas: Private Equity, Asset Management, Restructuring, Valuation Modeling, Capital Raising, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
2004 - 2006
Associate
Invixx Capital Partners
- Advised and managed the execution of 20 M&A, turnaround, and leveraged buyout deals, totaling more than US $3 billion in valuation.
- Built highly complex valuation and leveraged buyout models containing intricate tax, capital, and payout structures.
- Instrumental in the completion of transactions through the skillful management of cross-functional projects and diverse teams with competing priorities.
- Instrumental in winning buy-side and restructuring mandates ranging from US $200 million to US $1.3 billion in scope for clients and assets across Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
Focus areas: Turnaround, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
2001 - 2003
Financial Analyst
ABB
- Analyzed and advised on acquisitions and divestitures at the Group Strategy and Venture division.
- Adapted and implemented the global risk analysis tool for the local treasury center.
- Tracked and analyzed emerging market credit portfolio held by ABB Export Bank.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Divestitures, Portfolio Analytics, Corporate Treasury
2000 - 2001
Credit Analyst
Citibank
- Analyzed financial statements for a portfolio of corporate clients in the petrochemical, pulp and paper, and metals and mining industries.
- Conducted risk analysis and credit scoring for a portfolio of corporate clients in the petrochemical, pulp and paper, and metals and mining industries.
- Created company information reports for a portfolio of corporate clients in the petrochemical, pulp and paper, and metals and mining industries.
Focus areas: Financial Analysis, Credit Risk
Education
2012 - 2014
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Finance
MIT Sloan School of Management - Cambridge, MA, USA
1999 - 2003
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Public Administration
Fundação Getulio Vargas - São Paulo, Brazil
Certifications
JUNE 2022 - PRESENT
AFP Membership
AFP Association for Financial Professionals
JUNE 2021 - PRESENT
FinTech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations
Wharton Online Program | Via Coursera
JULY 2018 - OCTOBER 2021
Series 63 — Uniform Securities Agent
NASAA | North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc.
JULY 2017 - OCTOBER 2021
Series 79 — Investment Banking Representative
FINRA | Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
JUNE 2016 - PRESENT
Data Science for Finance
Cognitir
JUNE 2015 - PRESENT
Bank & FIG Modeling
Wall Street Prep
SEPTEMBER 2013 - PRESENT
Certified Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)
Corporate Finance Institute CFI
AUGUST 2013 - PRESENT
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
CFA Institute
DECEMBER 2012 - PRESENT
CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst)
CAIA Association