Managing Partner

Robbie Garcia

Founder & Managing Partner at Versata Capital, offering financial advisory & M&A services. President of REF Global (Panamá Chapter), a Business Leadership Think Tank. Previous roles at Bain & Co., Valor Capital, Dell Technologies, GFU, and Visa. Serves on the boards of a leading food service distributor, a REIT, and a Single Family Office.

In addition, he is a member of the Central American Leadership Initiative and a member of the Aspen Institute’s Global Leadership Network. Robbie earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Business from Georgetown University and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University.

Industry experience:

Education and training; Energy & renewables; Hotels & restaurants; Real estate & facility management; Retail and franchising; Wholesale.

Managing Partner

Ivan Zarak

Managing Partner at Versata Capital, has more than 25 years of experience in banking. Relevant work includes Mesoamerica (Costa Rica) and Banistmo Securities (Panama), where he lead the bank’s Investment Banking Division. Co-Founder of Prival Bank (Panama). Former Vice Minister of Economy of Panamá (2014-2019).

Industry experience:

Building & construction; Energy & renewables; Financial services; Food; Government; Hotels & restaurants; Insurance; Real estate & facility management; Retail and franchising; Telecom; Wholesale.

Partner

Gaspar García de Paredes

Partner at Versata since 2021. Over a decade of experience in M&A, capital raising, and financial consulting.
He currently serves on the boards of companies in industries such as steel wholesaling, industrial manufacturing, industrial & medical gases, software & technology, fintech, real estate, and others.

Industry experience:

Building & construction; Information technology; Real estate & facility management; Retail and franchising; Steel, metal and wood working; Wholesale.

Director

Martin Sosa

Martin has experience as a leader working in industries such as construction, real estate, consulting, and hospitality, amongst others. He has focused on managing the commercial, financial, and operational sides of businesses. He is an engineer, and applies engineering throughout his businesses.

Industry experience:

Building & construction; Engineering; Hotels & restaurants; Retail and franchising; Telecom.

Senior Analyst

Jean Paul Laffitte

Jean Paul has a rich career, starting in NYC as an Investment Analyst at JPMorgan, to then managing Strategic Partnerships in the logistics and tech sectors. Currently at Versata, his experience ranges from sell/buy-side transactions, to equity and debt capital raising.

Industry experience:

Agriculture; Automotive; Food; Real estate & facility management; Wholesale.

Analyst

Tarek Bhiku

Tarek, a Boston University finance grad, has been a financial analyst at Versata Capital since Oct 2021. With experiences in investment, private, and consumer banking, he excels in market analysis and investment strategies, fostering community development and financial innovation.

Industry experience:

Automotive; Energy & renewables; Hotels & restaurants; Retail and franchising; Telecom.