Kevin Cohen's Appointment Marks a New Era for Manhattan West's Venture Capital Division

Kevin Cohen Takes the Helm at Manhattan West

In a significant development in the world of venture capital, Manhattan West — an innovative investment firm known for its comprehensive wealth management services — has announced the appointment of Kevin Cohen as the Managing Director of its Late-Stage Venture Capital group. This strategic move comes as the firm aims to expand its investment opportunities in a rapidly evolving market.

Kevin Cohen, a veteran with nearly two decades of experience in identifying and executing high-value investments in high-growth private companies, is no stranger to the nuances of the secondary venture capital market. Before joining Manhattan West, Cohen had a distinguished tenure at Manhattan Venture Partners (MVP), where he served as Partner and played a pivotal role in establishing MVP as a leading player in the secondary venture market. His time at MVP saw over $2 billion in transaction volume, paving the way for investor access to pre-IPO companies.

Cohen expressed enthusiasm for joining Manhattan West, stating, "Having been instrumental in building successful secondary businesses at both Wedbush Securities and MVP, I'm thrilled about this next chapter. I'm particularly excited to join Manhattan West's exceptional team and build upon the strong foundation the firm has already established."

As he steps into his new role, Cohen is set to lead initiatives focused on late-stage venture investments. His vision is to address the growing demand for strategic liquidity solutions as companies opt to remain private for longer durations. He highlighted the importance of these liquidity solutions for early investors, shareholders, and founders, particularly during these dynamic times for private markets.

Cohen's expertise transcends mere strategy; it extends to recognizing the trends within the investment landscape. "The secondary market for late-stage venture has never been more vital," he commented. "As companies stay private longer, there's growing demand for thoughtful, strategic liquidity solutions." His insight underscores the importance of adapting to the evolving nature of venture capital, especially as emerging technologies continue to attract significant interest from diverse investors.

Lorenzo Esparza, CEO and Founding Principal of Manhattan West, remarked on Cohen's appointment, emphasizing the firm’s dedication to expanding its investment platform. He noted that Cohen's experience aligns perfectly with Manhattan West's strategy of providing clients with access to unique, differentiated investment opportunities across a wide array of asset classes.

Cohen's investment philosophy is notably forward-thinking. He believes that we are only at the beginning of a transformative era for growth investing, fueled by breakthroughs in sectors like artificial intelligence, space exploration, and defense technology. He firmly believes that both professional money managers and individual investors are increasingly turning to private markets for outsized returns — a trend that suggests a promising future for those involved in this sector.

Over the years, Cohen’s professional endeavors have spanned various roles, including his position as Senior Vice President and Head of the Private Company Strategies Group at Wedbush Securities, where he was involved in some of the earliest direct secondary investments in groundbreaking companies like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. His background also includes positions held at Merrill Lynch and Wedbush's Institutional Equities group, with a focus on technology, media, and consumer sectors.

Cohen holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis and is licensed to practice after passing various FINRA exams. He resides in Manhattan Beach, California, with his wife and two sons.

As Manhattan West gears up for this exciting new chapter under Cohen's leadership, the firm positions itself at the forefront of innovation in the late-stage venture capital arena, navigating the complexities of the market and leveraging opportunities to maximize returns for its clients.