Bio

Michael is the head of Octagon Capital Group, a merchant banking firm that combines top-tier investment banking with an intense focus on building, enhancing and unlocking shareholder value. Michael leads Octagon’s efforts focused on funding, building up and monetizing high-potential companies. Prior to forming Octagon, Michael was the Founder and Co-Head of Paragon Capital Partners which he formed in 2003 and sold in late 2014. At Paragon, Michael had extensive involvement in the firm’s transactions, including companies in healthcare, technology, consumer/retail, information services, business services and media/telecom sectors. Prior to forming Paragon, he was a senior M&A banker at Lehman Brothers, and at Banc of America Securities. While at BofA, in addition to being a senior transactional banker, Michael served as COO of the M&A Department and as a member of the firm’s fairness opinion committee. Michael’s clients/investments have included: Harmony Biosciences, Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals, Paragon Biosciences, Saber Interactive, Thinkorswim, 1-800-Flowers.com, Investools, OTUS, Laredo Hospitality, Hydra, ScrollMotion, Moving Station, Orion Mobility, Delaware Street Capital, Synergis Education, Norbest, Kahala, Undercover Chocolate Co., Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Nexicore, Tivoli Audio, Factset Research Systems, Pharmedium, Fannie May Confections, Alpine Confections, Dynamic Confections, Archibald Candy, Laura Secord, CSG Systems, GTCR, ADP, First Data, Reuters, nTelos/CFW Communications, eFunds, Deluxe, Trimble Navigation, Pacific Scientific, Enhanced Telemanagement, The Rival Company, Interim Services, Maybelline, Media General, Monsanto, Paracelsus Healthcare, Rykoff-Sexton, Boeing, Coleman, Southern Management, AFC Cable, Keller Industries, Union City Body Company, Grand Vehicle Works, Signature Healthcare, and others. Michael received a B.S. Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.