Riaz Valani | $1B+

Billionaire

Jan 26

Get in touch with Riaz Valani | Riaz Valani, founder and CEO of Global Asset Capital, is an emerging market-focused investor known for building diversified portfolios across real estate, private equity, and global public markets. With a background in finance and cross-border investing, Valani has developed a reputation for identifying value in complex international environments, combining macro awareness with disciplined asset allocation. Through his firm and family office activities, he has participated in large-scale transactions and long-term holdings spanning multiple jurisdictions. Valani’s profile reflects quiet influence, global reach, and a patient capital approach.

Riaz Valani was a general partner at Global Asset Capital, LLC and the first person to invest in electronic cigarette manufacturer Juul.
Valani invested a few million dollars in Juul during its early years, giving him an estimated 20% stake in the company.
When tobacco giant Altria bought a 35% stake in Juul in 2018, Valani reportedly got a pre-tax $2.6 billion dividend payout, according to a book about Juul.
In November 2020, Valani spent $40 million on a Malibu estate formerly owned by Johnny Carson.

Global Asset Capital is a global private equity investment firm with interests in real estate, structured finance and venture capital. GAC has a successful track record of investing in specialty finance/real estate assets and building growth businesses. GAC partners with management teams to create long-term equity value. GAC‘s team brings global perspective, extensive resources and solid commitment to its portfolio companies.

Global Asset Capital was founded in 1997, with offices in London, Luxembourg, Seattle, New York and Palo Alto. GAC’s team of entrepreneurs and investors have a long and diverse track record of building, investing in and exiting successful businesses. GAC has invested through investment cycles, across domain areas and geographies and in all layers of the capital stack.

Disclaimer: This profile is based on publicly available information. No endorsement or affiliation is implied.

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Riaz Valani | $1B+

Riaz Valani, founder and CEO of Global Asset Capital, is an emerging market-focused investor known for building diversified portfolios across real estate, private equity, and global public markets. With a background in finance and cross-border investing, Valani has developed a reputation for identifying value in complex international environments, combining macro awareness with disciplined asset allocation. Through his firm and family office activities, he has participated in large-scale transactions and long-term holdings spanning multiple jurisdictions. Valani’s profile reflects quiet influence, global reach, and a patient capital approach.

Raymond Harbert | $1B+

Raymond J. Harbert, founder and CEO of Harbert Management Corporation, built a major alternative investment platform spanning private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and credit. After starting his career in banking and leveraged finance, Harbert founded his firm in 1993 and grew it into a global manager serving institutions and high-net-worth investors with long-term, diversified strategies. Known for disciplined capital allocation and a conservative, steady approach across market cycles, Harbert has also become a prominent philanthropist supporting education, medical research, and civic initiatives, particularly in the American South.

Randal Nardone | $1B+

Randal Nardone, cofounder and co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, helped build one of the most influential alternative asset managers by scaling institutional investing across credit, real estate, and special situations. After early experience at BlackRock and UBS, Nardone cofounded Fortress in 1998 and guided its evolution into a global platform managing tens of billions through market cycles. Under his leadership, Fortress became known for opportunistic, asset-based investing and disciplined risk management, culminating in its acquisition by SoftBank. Nardone remains a defining figure in modern alternative investing and private capital strategy.

Randal Kirk | $1B+

Randal J. Kirk, biotech entrepreneur and investor, built his fortune by creating and scaling life-sciences companies focused on drug development, specialty pharmaceuticals, and healthcare innovation. Best known as the founder of Intrexon and as the driving force behind multiple public biotech ventures, Kirk has pursued an aggressive strategy of acquiring scientific platforms, recruiting top research talent, and commercializing high-value therapies. His long-term influence spans pharmaceuticals, genetics, and medical technology, reflecting a rare ability to combine capital markets skill with scientific ambition.

Ramzi Musallam | $10B+

Ramzi Musallam, CEO of Veritas Capital, built one of the most powerful private equity platforms focused on mission-critical software, defense, healthcare, and government services. Since taking the helm in 2012, Musallam has scaled Veritas through a disciplined strategy of acquiring complex, data-rich businesses with long-term contracts and high barriers to entry, then driving transformation through operational modernization and technology upgrades. Known for high-conviction dealmaking and deep sector specialization, he has positioned Veritas as a leading buyer of strategic assets at the intersection of technology and national infrastructure.

Pete Briger Jr. | $1B+

Peter Briger Jr., co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, is one of the most prominent investors in alternative assets, known for turning distressed credit and special situations into durable, large-scale platforms. After an early career at Goldman Sachs, where he became a partner and helped run the firm’s principal investment businesses, Briger joined Fortress in 2002 and helped shape its expansion into credit, real estate, and private equity. Under his leadership, Fortress became a major force in opportunistic investing, managing billions across market cycles through disciplined risk management and a dealmaker’s instinct for dislocation. Briger remains a defining figure in modern credit investing and private capital.

Orlando Bravo | $1B+

Orlando Bravo, cofounder and managing partner of Thoma Bravo, built one of the most powerful private equity franchises in software by applying a disciplined, repeatable playbook to mission-critical technology businesses. After early success investing in cybersecurity and enterprise software, Bravo scaled Thoma Bravo into a dominant global platform known for operational improvement, buy-and-build strategies, and long-term value creation. His focus on recurring revenue models and founder-aligned execution has reshaped how private equity approaches software at scale.

Neil Kadisha | $1B+

Neil Kadisha, cofounder of Omninet and a pioneering telecommunications entrepreneur, played a central role in building the early global internet backbone during the 1990s. Through Omninet, he helped deploy one of the world’s first international fiber-optic networks, enabling high-capacity data transmission across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East at a critical moment in internet expansion. After exiting the business, Kadisha shifted his focus to philanthropy and impact investing, supporting initiatives in health, education, conflict resolution, and peace-building through the Kadisha Family Foundation. His career bridges foundational internet infrastructure and long-term global social impact.

Mike Speiser | $1B+

Mike Speiser, managing partner at Sutter Hill Ventures, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential venture capitalists, known for backing category-defining enterprise software and infrastructure companies at their earliest stages. Since joining the storied firm in the late 1990s, Speiser has led or co-led investments in transformative businesses such as Snowflake, Pure Storage, and NVIDIA-backed platforms, helping founders scale from technical breakthroughs to global market leaders. Renowned for Sutter Hill’s concentrated, long-term approach, Speiser combines deep technical insight with board-level stewardship, making him a central figure in the evolution of modern enterprise technology.

Mike Bingle | $1B+

Mike Bingle is a cofounder of Silver Lake, the technology-focused private equity firm that helped define large-scale investing in software, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure. In the firm’s early years, Bingle played a key role in shaping Silver Lake’s thesis-driven approach to backing category-defining technology companies, laying the groundwork for what would become one of the most powerful platforms in global private equity. Silver Lake’s model—deep sector expertise combined with long-term capital—went on to influence an entire generation of technology investors.

Michael Rees | $1B+

Michael Rees, co-CEO of Blue Owl Capital, helped build one of the fastest-growing alternative asset managers by combining strategic credit, private equity, and direct lending platforms into a unified scale investment franchise. Since launching the firm’s predecessor units and ultimately merging with Owl Rock and Dyal Capital, Rees has expanded Blue Owl into a multibillion-dollar public powerhouse serving institutional clients worldwide. Known for disciplined capital deployment and tailored solutions across private markets, he has positioned Blue Owl as a leading voice in credit and private investing in the post-crisis era’s evolving financial ecosystem.

Michael Milken | $1B+

Michael Milken, financier and philanthropist, is widely recognized as the pioneer of the modern high-yield bond market, reshaping corporate finance and enabling a wave of entrepreneurial growth in the 1980s. After a controversial career at Drexel Burnham Lambert and subsequent legal challenges, Milken redirected his focus toward global health, medical research, and education—founding research institutions, spearheading public-health initiatives, and establishing major philanthropic programs through the Milken Institute. His enduring influence spans financial innovation and large-scale social impact, making him one of the most consequential—and debated—figures in modern business history.

Marc Rowan | $1B+

Marc Rowan, cofounder and CEO of Apollo Global Management, is one of the most influential figures in alternative investing, helping build Apollo into a global powerhouse across private equity, credit, and real assets. After beginning his career at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Rowan co-launched Apollo in 1990, developing its reputation for contrarian investing, distressed opportunities, and disciplined capital allocation. As CEO, he has overseen Apollo’s evolution into a diversified asset manager with a strong emphasis on credit, insurance partnerships, and long-term yield strategies. Known for his analytical rigor and understated leadership, Rowan stands at the center of modern private markets.

Leon Black | $1B+

Leon Black, cofounder of Apollo Global Management, is one of the most accomplished private equity investors of the modern era, known for opportunistic deals, distressed investing, and disciplined capital allocation. After a successful career at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Black launched Apollo in 1990 and built it into a multi-hundred-billion-dollar alternative asset powerhouse spanning private equity, credit, and real assets. His tenure included landmark acquisitions, contrarian bets, and a focus on complex, undervalued situations. Although he stepped down from Apollo’s leadership, Black continues to manage his family office and art collection, remaining an influential figure in finance and philanthropy.

Lawrence Golub | $1B+

Lawrence Golub, founder and CEO of Golub Capital, built one of the largest private credit firms in the United States, specializing in direct lending to middle-market companies and providing financing for private equity buyouts. Since launching the firm in 1994, he has overseen the growth of a multibillion-dollar platform known for consistent performance, deep sponsor relationships, and disciplined risk management. Golub Capital has become a key player in leveraged finance, rivaling major banks in unitranche and senior loan markets. Beyond business, Golub is active in philanthropy, public policy, and education, serving on nonprofit boards and donating to health and academic institutions.

Justin Ishbia | $1B+

Justin Ishbia, founder and managing partner of Shore Capital Partners, has built one of the fastest-growing private equity firms in the lower middle market, backing healthcare, business services, and food companies through a disciplined strategy of operational improvement and platform roll-ups. Under his leadership, Shore has completed hundreds of acquisitions and created scaled national platforms across dental, veterinary, behavioral health, and specialty manufacturing, while consistently generating strong returns. A former practicing attorney with a sharp eye for founder-led businesses, Ishbia is also a major investor in sports as co-owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury alongside his brother, Mat Ishbia. His combination of analytical rigor, deal intensity, and strategic focus has made him a rising force in private equity.

Christian Dumolin | $100M+

Christian Dumolin, chairman and co-ceo of Koramic Investment Group, is one of Belgium’s most respected industrial and investment leaders, known for transforming a traditional brick-manufacturing company into a diversified European holding with interests spanning real estate, manufacturing, financial services, and private equity. After joining the family business in the 1970s, he led its international expansion, later steering Koramic into a broad investment platform focused on long-term value creation and operational excellence. Dumolin has served on numerous corporate boards, becoming a key figure in Belgium’s entrepreneurial landscape, while his philanthropic work in culture, education, and regional development underscores his influence beyond business.

Joseph Bae | $1B+

Joseph Bae, co-CEO of KKR, is one of the most powerful private equity leaders of his generation, having played a central role in transforming the firm from a classic buyout shop into a diversified global investment powerhouse. Joining KKR in 1996, he spearheaded the firm’s expansion across Asia—building its offices, teams, and flagship funds—before taking on broader leadership of global private equity, growth, credit, and infrastructure platforms. As co-CEO, Bae oversees hundreds of billions in assets and helps set the strategic direction of one of the world’s most influential alternative asset managers. Known for his global mindset, disciplined dealmaking, and talent-building leadership, he remains a defining voice in the evolution of modern private equity.

Jose Feliciano | $1B+

José E. Feliciano, cofounder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital, is one of the most influential private equity investors of his generation, helping build Clearlake into a top-tier global firm focused on technology, industrials, and consumer businesses. Since launching the firm in 2006 with Behdad Eghbali, Feliciano has overseen a disciplined strategy combining operational transformation with data-driven value creation, driving assets under management to well over $70 billion. A leader in expanding Latino representation in finance, he is also a major philanthropist through the SUPERB and Somos foundations, supporting education, entrepreneurship, and social mobility. Feliciano’s blend of investment rigor, cultural leadership, and long-horizon thinking has made him a defining force in modern private equity.

Jonathan Nelson | $1B+

Jonathan M. Nelson, founder and managing partner of Providence Equity Partners, has built one of the world’s most successful private equity firms specializing in media, communications, education, and technology investments. Since founding Providence in 1989, he has overseen hundreds of transactions and managed billions in assets, backing major companies like Hulu, Univision, Warner Music Group, and Sotheby’s. Known for long-term sector-focused investing and operational support, Nelson has shaped entire industries—particularly media and telecom—while steering Providence as a top-tier global investment house.

John Childs | $1B+

John W. Childs, founder of private equity firm J.W. Childs Associates, is a veteran investor known for building middle-market companies into national consumer and retail brands. After leading buyout efforts at Thomas H. Lee Partners, he launched his own Boston-based firm in 1995, backing companies such as Golden Gate Capital–acquired Mattress Firm, shoe retailer K•Swiss, and consumer products businesses across food, health, and household categories. Over decades in the leveraged buyout industry, Childs became recognized for his disciplined deal selection, long-horizon operational focus, and ability to reshape underperforming companies into profitable market contenders.

James Coulter | $1B+

James Coulter, cofounder and executive chairman of TPG, is one of the most influential figures in global private equity. Since launching the firm in 1992 with David Bonderman, he has helped build TPG into a diversified investment powerhouse with hundreds of billions in assets under management across buyouts, growth equity, impact investing, real estate, and credit. Known for his strategic vision and early bets on sectors from airlines to healthcare and technology, Coulter has shaped modern private equity while championing initiatives such as TPG Rise, one of the largest impact investment platforms in the world.

Jahm Najafi | $1B+

Jahm Najafi, Iranian-American investor and philanthropist, is the founder and CEO of The Najafi Companies, a private equity firm specializing in consumer, media, sports, and technology investments. Based in Phoenix, he has built a reputation for long-term, values-driven investing, with notable stakes in ventures such as the Phoenix Suns, McLaren Racing, and other high-profile brands. Najafi also serves as vice chairman of the Phoenix Suns and is recognized for his thoughtful leadership style, combining strategic acumen with a strong commitment to social impact and community development.

Howard Marks | $1B+

Howard Marks, cofounder and co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, is one of the most respected investors in distressed debt and value investing. Known for his widely read investment memos, Marks has built a reputation for clear thinking on risk, cycles, and market psychology. Since founding Oaktree in 1995, he has helped grow it into a global alternative asset manager with more than $150 billion under management. Revered by peers like Warren Buffett, Marks combines investment mastery with thought leadership, making him a guiding voice for both professionals and individual investors.

Holden Spaht | $1B+

Holden Spaht, managing partner at Thoma Bravo, is a leading figure in private equity with a focus on software and technology investments. Since joining the firm in 2005, he has played a key role in building Thoma Bravo into one of the world’s largest and most successful software-focused buyout firms, managing over $130 billion in assets. Spaht has overseen major deals across enterprise software, cybersecurity, and fintech, earning a reputation for his disciplined investment approach and ability to scale technology businesses.

Henry Kravis | $10B+

Henry Kravis, cofounder and co-executive chairman of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), is a pioneer of the leveraged buyout industry and one of private equity’s most influential figures. Alongside Jerome Kohlberg and George Roberts, he helped establish KKR in 1976, building it into a global investment powerhouse managing hundreds of billions in assets. Kravis became a Wall Street icon through landmark deals such as the record-setting acquisition of RJR Nabisco, chronicled in Barbarians at the Gate. Known for his dealmaking acumen and philanthropic contributions, he has shaped both modern finance and charitable giving.

Hartley Rogers | $1B+

Hartley Rogers, chairman of Hamilton Lane, has guided the investment management firm into a global leader in private markets solutions. With decades of experience in private equity and alternative investments, he helped scale Hamilton Lane’s platform to manage and advise on hundreds of billions in assets for institutional clients worldwide. Known for his strategic leadership and deep industry expertise, Rogers has positioned the firm at the forefront of private markets investing, while also serving on boards and engaging in philanthropic initiatives.

Greg Mondre | $1B+

Greg Mondre, co-CEO of Silver Lake, is one of the most influential investors in technology private equity. Since joining the firm in 1999, he has played a central role in building it into a global powerhouse with over $100 billion in assets under management. Mondre has overseen landmark deals in companies such as Dell Technologies, Skype, and Twitter, cementing his reputation as a shrewd dealmaker with a deep understanding of the tech sector. His leadership continues to shape Silver Lake’s strategy at the forefront of high-growth, innovation-driven investments.

Egon Durban | $1B+

Egon Pierre Durban is a billionaire computer scientist turned private equity leader. He joined Silver Lake in 1999 as a founding principal and rose to co‑CEO in December 2019. As lead dealmaker, Durban has steered headline investments including Skype, Airbnb, Twitter, Dell, and Endeavor Group—helping Silver Lake grow to ~$104 billion in AUM and stake major influence across tech, media, and sports.

Dirk Ziff | $1B+

Dirk Edward Ziff is an American billionaire investor and media heir—the eldest son of William B. Ziff Jr., who sold the Ziff‑Davis publishing empire for $1.4 billion in 1994. Along with his brothers, Dirk formed Ziff Brothers Investments, spanning hedge funds, private equity, real estate, commodities, and seed‑stage finance. He later seeded Daniel Och’s Och‑Ziff Capital Management before dissolving the partnership in 2014 to invest independently.

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Riaz Valani | $1B+

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