EQUIAM

EQUIAM is a San Francisco, California-based data-driven investment firm that specializes in systematic direct secondary transactions and late-stage primary investments in private market technology companies. The venture capital manager utilizes proprietary algorithms and over 20 distinct data signals to target Series B to pre-IPO businesses, allocating approximately 70 to 80 percent of its deployed capital to secondary market cash purchases. Operating with a specialized team of eight professionals, the firm currently manages five distinct investment vehicles, including three closed funds, and has completed investments across 85 different companies. The leadership group, which includes partners Arin Nazarian and Eric Borrow alongside advisor Jacob Miller, brings collective experience managing over $10 billion in private assets, drawing on prior executive roles at institutions like Algebra Capital. EQUIAM was originally founded in 2018 by Ziad Makkawi and John Zic.

EQUIAM is a San Francisco-based investment firm specializing in systematic, data-driven direct secondary transactions in the private market, primarily targeting Series B to pre-IPO companies. Their mission centers on leveraging proprietary data and automation to identify high-potential private companies with clear liquidity paths, enabling efficient, risk-adjusted investments that provide liquidity solutions to sellers without competing with large primary investors. EQUIAM focuses on sectors such as technology, fintech, and infrastructure, impacting the startup ecosystem by offering liquidity options that support growth and capital recycling in late-stage private markets[1][2][5][6].

Founded in 2018 by Ziad Makkawi, who has decades of experience in venture capital and asset management, and John Zic, the firm evolved from traditional growth investing to a systematic model that combines large-scale data ingestion with detailed position analysis. This approach was developed to address inefficiencies in private market investing by using over 20 proprietary signals and access to comprehensive company financials. Early traction included building and selling Algebra Capital ($1.5B AUM) and leveraging expertise from previous roles at JP Morgan, Lehman Brothers, and Forge, which helped shape EQUIAM’s unique investment process[1][3][5].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: EQUIAM employs a proprietary systematic engine that screens over 3,000 Series B+ companies using 15+ data sources and 20+ proprietary signals, enabling rapid, precise secondary market investments[1][2].
• Speed & Scale: They can write $1-10M checks within 2-3 weeks, much faster than larger funds that take months for bigger deals, allowing them to capture niche "orphaned equity" positions too small for mega-funds[1].
• Non-Competitive Positioning: Focuses on providing liquidity solutions rather than competing with primary investors like Coatue or Sequoia, which reduces deal competition and improves pricing accuracy[1].
• Proven Track Record: Over 90 investments and 30+ successful exits, with a 1.84x DPI in their Private Tech 30 Fund I, demonstrating strong risk-adjusted returns[1][2].
• Expert Team: Led by experienced professionals with backgrounds in systematic investing, private markets, and data analytics, including founder Ziad Makkawi and founding partner John Zic[3].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

EQUIAM rides the trend of increasing demand for liquidity in late-stage private markets, where companies stay private longer and traditional exit routes are less frequent. Their timing is critical as the private market grows more complex and data-rich, enabling systematic secondary investments to thrive. Market forces such as the rise of venture-backed unicorns, extended private lifecycles, and the need for flexible liquidity solutions favor EQUIAM’s model. By providing a scalable, data-driven approach to secondary transactions, they influence the ecosystem by enhancing capital efficiency and supporting the maturation of private companies toward IPO or acquisition[1][2][4].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, EQUIAM is expanding its Private Tech 30 Fund II, targeting the most liquid, high-quality companies with shorter IPO horizons (12-36 months), signaling a focus on faster liquidity and lower risk. Trends shaping their journey include increasing reliance on data analytics in private markets, growing secondary market activity, and evolving investor appetite for diversified private equity exposure. Their influence is likely to grow as they refine their systematic approach and deepen partnerships for data sourcing, maintaining a competitive edge in private market investing[2][4]. This positions EQUIAM as a key player in transforming how late-stage private investments are sourced, priced, and executed.