Steven Baum Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Los Angeles, California, Us

Created broad-based investment platform exclusively focused on the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries. Investment products includes a combination of actively and passively-managed funds, targeted at both institutional and individual investors. First investment offering in sector to combine the flexibility of daily liquidity, ETF-like investor fees, highly diversified digital asset exposure, and “best-in-class” asset security and custody solutions. Played integral role in initiating and executing key strategic priorities, including retail-focused product offerings and treasury/cash management solutions. Led the negotiation of various strategic partnerships and distribution arrangements.Responsible for all operational, legal/regulatory, and financial activities of the firm. Structured and launched multiple fund products (onshore and offshore), including a SEC-registered investment advisor.Raised seed capital in financing round led by venture capital firm Matrix Partners. Sold company to Liquid Digital Capital Management, an investment firm backed by SAC and Passport Capital, in May 2019.

Recruited by principals of $2.5 billion multi-strategy hedge fund to rebuild, institutionalize, and lead non-investment functions.Directed capital raising initiatives, increasing fund assets by more than $1 billion over a three-year period. Substantially improved the composition and diversification of the investor base, with primary focus on high-quality institutional capital (pensions, foundations, endowments, and insurance companies). Improved and managed investor relations processes; strengthened relationships with key investors. Restructured staffing of the firm (20 employees), replacing key senior-level hires across the investment and business teams. Improved productivity, efficiency, and culture of firm while “right-sizing” all functional areas. Established various operational committees to better manage and control inherent risks of the business. Created portfolio reporting and risk management tools, focusing heavily on process automation and efficiency. Led fund administrator change and conversion. Improved procedures for pricing/valuation, trade execution and commission allocation. Prepared firm for potential SEC and NFA audits/examinations. Developed and implemented new compliance program. Managed all compliance and regulatory issues/requirements. Led migration of entire IT infrastructure to cloud-based environment, ensuring best practices across business continuity, disaster recovery, and cyber-security areas. In late 2016, led and managed conversion to family office and formation/operation of spin-out entity (Arts & Sciences Partners).

Directed and managed business operations of $4 billion long/short equity hedge fund with 60 employees across three offices (Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong). Responsible for overseeing the firm’s divisions, including investment research, risk management, trading, marketing, legal/regulatory, compliance, accounting/operations, and technology. Actively involved in capital raising/retention activities. Developed and maintained key investor and other institutional relationships.Developed and implemented key strategic initiatives, including new platform offerings, to improve the sustained growth, profitability, and competitive positioning of the firm. Designed operational risk management protocols, including the firm’s business continuity and disaster recovery plan. Developed new systems and products, including significant investments in technology, to improve productivity, efficiency, and performance. Further developed and optimized the firm’s proprietary approach to spread risk management, resulting in improved balancing of long and short positions with similar characteristics or exposures (e.g., market capitalization, liquidity, industry concentration, capital structure, etc.). Directed recruiting activities for firm; created and implemented extensive strategy to improve talent acquisition. Structured compensation/incentives framework for partners and employees to maximize performance and retention.Originated and managed various portfolio positions in the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors, while assuming coverage responsibility for these areas.

Co-developed the investment strategy and business plan of a long/short equity hedge fund focused on restructurings and special situations, operational turnarounds, and event-driven opportunities.Directed capital-raising efforts with prospective investors and managed all client service activities. Negotiated and executed strategic transactions, including a $25 million seed investment and co-marketing arrangements. Managed operational and financial activities for the firm. Developed risk management, portfolio performance, valuation, and accounting systems. Structured and managed relationships with prime brokers, legal counsel, fund administrators, and auditors. Directed technology, media, and telecommunications investment activities. Responsible for investment origination, analysis and due diligence, trading, and portfolio management in these sectors.

Developed key technology franchises of the firms, originating and executing a variety of private equity investments, private placements, initial public offerings, follow-on financings, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Areas of focus included: Internet content services/distribution, electronic commerce, infrastructure software, enabling software/applications, wireline/wireless equipment, and wireless/broadband access services.Completed 66 transactions totaling over $13 billion; representing fees in excess of $100 million.

Structured and integrated the TELE-TV joint venture between Bell Atlantic, NYNEX, and Pacific Telesis to deliver a nationally-branded package of entertainment and interactive services over partnering companies’ broadband networks and wireless systems. Negotiated acquisitions of wireless video spectrum and operating assets, valued at over $400 million in aggregate, to serve as distribution systems for programming and services. Developed and implemented TELE-TV’s Internet service offering. Structured and negotiated program licensing agreements with networks, cable programmers, major studios, and professional sports leagues.

Culver City, Ca, Us

Structured film financing transactions, including joint ventures, co-productions, co-financings, equity investments and negative pick-ups. Worked closely with senior management in determining deal structures for producers, directors, writers, and talent.Established new business ventures, including Sony Pictures Classics, a division designed to acquire foreign films for domestic distribution.

New York, Ny, Us

Performed financial analysis relating to a broad range of domestic and international media assignments, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, strategic restructurings, leveraged buyouts and debt/equity financings. Awarded Tier I analyst ranking (top 5% of analyst class).

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Economics (Accelerated Quantitative Program); Special Concentrations In Finance And Japanese

Education record