Stephen Bookbinder is the Managing Partner and Founder of Kayak Kapital, LLC. Mr. Bookbinder specializes in capital raising, business development, and strategic consulting for emerging and growth companies in transformational businesses. In addition, he works with emerging managers who offer a unique value proposition.

Spanning his career, Mr. Bookbinder has forged senior relationships in the global financial community. He leverages these relationships to the benefit of his clients. Prior to launching Kayak Kapital, Mr. Bookbinder was a Managing Director with Chatsworth Securities, an investment banking firm in Greenwich CT. With over 35 years’ experience in global financial markets, Mr. Bookbinder has held senior positions that included: Bloomberg Financial Markets, where he co-founded and lead Bloomberg Tradebook into the global leader in electronic trading. Mr. Bookbinder has held notable positions which includes: Investment Banker with Bear Stearns, Global Head of Sales with Cantor Fitzgerald and Principal with GreenCrest Capital, which was acquired by Knight Capital Markets.

Mr. Bookbinder has been a senior consultant and advisor to many companies and has been a frequent speaker at financial industry events. Mr. Bookbinder works with his clients to expand their geographical footprint, build go-to markets strategies, and drive revenue growth.

Mr. Bookbinder holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Baruch College and a Master of Science Degree in Finance from the Zicklin School. He currently holds a Series 7 and Series 63 registration with FINRA.

Mr. John Degen is the Managing Director of Kayak Kapital, LLC. Mr. Degen has accumulated 30 years of finance, investment management, and operating experience across various industries. His broad expertise includes business strategy, corporate development, cross-functional business development, strategic partnering, and strategic supply chain development.  

Mr. Degen began his professional career with Ogden Corporation in 1988, where he spent six years in various legal and project finance roles. Mr. Degen’s early experiences gave him a robust understanding of what is needed to effectively negotiate and close complex business partnerships and projects. He was tasked with creating the financial models related to the construction of the Anaheim Arena, the Honda Center, the Toronto Palladium, and the World Trade Center Observation Deck Tourist Attraction.  John also held a Top-Secret level clearance and served as the Assistant Facility Security officer of Ogden for 5 of his 6.5 years with Ogden. 

In 1995, Mr. Degen began his 17-year career with Sumitomo Corporation’s Business Investment Division. He deployed in excess of $2.0 billion of debt and equity during his time with Sumitomo. From 2003 to 2010, Mr. Degen had operational profit and loss responsibility for Oxford Finance Corporation, the leading provider of senior and equipment debt finance for the healthcare and life science industries. In addition, he covered and managed investments across several operating divisions, including Agriculture, Lifestyle, Specialty Finance, General Products, Media, and Life Sciences. His final assignment with Sumitomo led New Business Development efforts for Sumitomo’s European General Manager from 2011 to 2013. 

From 2013 to 2019, Mr. Degen served as a Strategic Advisor to several early-stage companies. In January 2019, he was engaged by ShareNett as a Consultant to the Company’s CEO and Chairman. In August 2019, he became ShareNett’s Co-Head of Origination and was sponsored for his Series 7, 63, and 79 Licenses. 

Mr. Degen received a B.A. in History from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Long Island University.  He also attended executive management education programs at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration.

Mr. Degen speaks English, German and rudimentary Japanese.   

Mr. Degen currently holds Series 63, 79TO, and 7TO registrations with FINRA.