MEET PAUL

Meet Paul L. Kessler, Founding Principal and Chairman of LK Secured Lending
PAUL L. KESSLER

CHAIRMAN & Founding Principal

Mr. Kessler is recognized as an active deep value investor, financier, and venture capitalist. He has extensive experience with emerging growth companies, both public and private, which for a variety of factors, trade below their fundamental value, and, when necessary, will lead activist efforts with both company boards and executives focused on corporate governance and oversight, strategy, and alignment of interests with shareholders. He is well-versed at identifying deep value activist opportunities in a variety of industries including biotechnology, technology, energy, education and consumer products. He has broad experience in operations and finance, actively sourcing and identifying investment opportunities, and negotiating, structuring and re-structuring investment transactions. Mr. Kessler has guided and overseen over 650 investment transactions, whether as lead, co-lead, or syndicate investor, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, venture capital, private equity, re-structuring and other capital market activities. Mr. Kessler’s vast networks of relationships have consistently provided the Fund with excellent investment opportunities.

His investments have focused on emerging growth public companies, private companies on the path to becoming public, and a select group of distressed companies (acting as either the Stalking Horse bidder or DIP lender).  As an investor he has invested, provided seed capital, and/or founded numerous successful companies including Cheniere Energy, Inc., Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc., Cantango Oil and Gas Company, The Los Angeles Film School, Allis-Chalmers Energy Inc., Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Octa Therapeutics, Genspera, Inc., Research Solutions, Inc., Wizard World, Inc., Energous Corporation, Tellurian Inc., Bristol Luxury Group, Sugarfina, to name a few.  Additionally, Mr. Kessler co-founded Start Engine, LLC, which at the time of its founding was the largest technology incubator in Los Angeles, having launched over 50 technology companies, and is now a leading equity-based crowdfunding platform.

Mr. Kessler has been a guest speaker on the subject of financing emerging growth public companies at a variety of forums, including The Pipe’s Conference, Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA), Wall Street Reporter’s Pipe Conference, UCLA Anderson School of Management, and Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management.  He has attended courses at various colleges and universities, including Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Program and UCLA’s Extension Program. Mr. Kessler has passed the Series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor Examination.

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