The New Guard of Fundraising
Who We Are
New Guard Partners is a boutique private markets placement and advisory firm dedicated to serving two key groups:
- Sector specialists raising first, second, or third fund vehicles.
- Institutional allocators, the essential backbone of the industry.
Founded by Matt Zuckerman, who brings more than 13 years of private markets and fundraising expertise, and Vanya Kovacheva, CFA, CAIA, who has over 15 years of experience investing in private markets, including a decade at a major U.S. public pension fund, New Guard Partners is built upon the shared vision and combined experience of its founders.
The firm has created a unique sourcing and deal evaluation structure through its independent investment committee to serve the needs of LPs and, by extension, the GPs that we work with.
We know from experience that it is going to take more work and more focus to compete in the new environment.
New Guard’s Approach
Our process is designed to leverage an independent IC of LPs to stress test all opportunities we consider
We will always maintain a client roster of no greater than 5
We aren't afraid to constrain our mandate to exclusively serving emerging managers
We build custom strategies through a labor-intensive process for each of our clients
We consider the motivations and incentives of all stakeholders in everything we do
We bring both urgency and tranquility to what is by definition a chaotic process
We always listen intently
We realize how lucky we are to work in this industry, and always operate with gratitude
Who We serve
Private Equity Funds i-iii
spinouts / Potential Spinouts
Independent Sponsors
Our Team
Matt Zuckerman
Managing Partner
Former Firm
Rede Partners
Goldman Sachs
Education
Georgetown University
University of Oxford
Vanya Kovacheva, CFA
Partner, Head of manager due diligence
Former Firm
Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (Senior Investment Officer – Private Equity)
Education
Otto von Guericke University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Christian Mortensen
Vice President
Former Firm
Sweetwater Private Equity
Goldman Sachs
Education
Georgetown University
University of Manchester
Ethan Stuart
analyst
Former Firm
Signature Estate & Investment Advisors
Goldman Sachs
Education
Georgetown University
University of Manchester
Investment Committee
Vanya Kovacheva, CFA
Chair of Investment Committee
Former Firm
Otto von Guericke University – Magdeburg
Rochester Institute of Technology
Sean McKeon
Investment Committee Member
Current Firm
Moontower Group
Former Firm
Cambridge Associates
Cloverlay
Boston College
University of Oxford
Lela Prodani, CFA
Investment Committee Member
Current Firm
Credit Suisse Pension Fund
Former Firm
Granger Management Holdings
Mercer
Webster University
Ron Heinz
Investment Committee Member
Current Firm
Stafford Capital Partners
Former Firm
Sweetwater Private Equity
fill
Villanova University