Ardenwood Capital is a premier lower-middle market capital advisory firm and merchant bank, specializing in capital raising, deal origination, and strategic consulting. Our firm is committed to helping high-growth companies access the capital and strategic guidance they need to achieve their business objectives and thrive in competitive markets.
At Ardenwood Capital, our mission is to deliver tailored capital solutions and strategic advisory services that enable high-growth businesses to scale and succeed. We combine deep financial expertise with innovative marketing strategies to help companies secure the right capital, connect with the right investors, and navigate the complex landscape of global capital markets.
At Ardenwood Capital, our team of seasoned professionals brings decades of experience in deal origination, capital raising, and strategic advisory services. Each member of our team is dedicated to delivering tailored solutions and building long-term partnerships with our clients and investors.
Our team at Ardenwood Capital brings deep financial expertise, a global network of investors, and a proven track record in capital raising and deal origination. We are committed to providing personalized, high-impact solutions for every client, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term success.
Access to a global network of institutional investors and family offices.
Decades of combined experience in capital markets and advisory.
Personalized strategies based on each client’s unique needs.
Founder & Managing Director
Josef Baker is the Founder and Managing Director of Ardenwood Capital, where he leads the firm’s capital raising and deal origination initiatives. With a unique blend of finance and marketing expertise, Josef has secured capital for high-growth companies through a global network of over 2,400 investors, including family offices, venture capitalists, and institutional funds. Before founding Ardenwood Capital, Josef played a pivotal role in scaling businesses, generating over $2 million in monthly revenue and facilitating $550 million in transactions across real estate, technology, and consumer goods. His strength lies in combining financial strategy with marketing acumen, ensuring that each deal is positioned for long-term success. A former professional tennis athlete, Josef brings the same discipline and resilience to his work in capital markets, positioning Ardenwood Capital as a trusted partner for strategic growth.
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Capital Advisory
William Renshaw is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Capital Advisory at Ardenwood Capital, bringing over 30 years of experience in investment banking, M&A, and capital markets. Throughout his career, William has held senior positions at prominent financial institutions, specializing in complex equity and debt transactions. William has raised more than $4 billion for companies across sectors such as energy, real estate, and technology, consistently delivering successful outcomes for clients. At Ardenwood, he oversees capital raising and advisory initiatives, leveraging his extensive network of institutional investors and private equity partners. His approach to deal origination and strategic partnerships has been instrumental in the firm’s growth.
Director of Sales & Outbound Strategy
Simon Grunwald leads Ardenwood Capital’s sales and outbound strategy, ensuring that the firm’s approach to client acquisition and investor outreach is both proactive and highly targeted. With over a decade of experience in driving business development and creating data-driven outbound campaigns, Simon has a unique ability to generate quality leads that align with the firm’s high-growth objectives.In his role, Simon leverages his expertise in cold email marketing, multi-channel engagement, and sales process optimization to bring in new clients and expand Ardenwood's investor network. Previously, Simon managed sales operations for a top-tier marketing firm, where he consistently exceeded client acquisition targets and pioneered automated outreach methods to connect with senior decision-makers across multiple industries. Simon’s background in outbound sales and his hands-on approach to lead generation allow Ardenwood to provide clients with a competitive edge in capital raising and investor relations. His commitment to measurable outcomes and precision in targeting ensures that Ardenwood’s clients gain access to impactful opportunities that accelerate their growth.
COO & Cold Email Specialist
Robert Dratwia is the Chief Operating Officer at Ardenwood Capital, where he oversees the firm’s operations and is renowned for his expertise in cold email outreach. Over the past two years, Robert has successfully secured more than 3,000 booked calls for clients, delivering high-quality deal flow through precisely targeted email campaigns. As the former Head of Fulfillment at a top-tier cold email agency, Robert managed over 25 clients simultaneously, delivering measurable results across various industries. His hands-on approach, coupled with a keen focus on optimization through rigorous testing, allows him to identify the most effective strategies in cold outreach. At Ardenwood Capital, Robert plays a crucial role in driving deal origination, ensuring the firm’s clients gain access to meaningful investor opportunities.
Director of Investor Relations
Marcus Feldman is the Director of Investor Relations at Ardenwood Capital, where he is responsible for managing relationships with institutional investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals. With a decade of experience in investor relations and fundraising, Marcus has been pivotal in facilitating strategic introductions that lead to long-lasting partnerships for the firm’s clients. His ability to communicate complex financial information in a clear and compelling manner has made her a trusted advisor to investors across a variety of sectors. Marcus’ hands-on approach and commitment to fostering transparent, long-term relationships help ensure that Ardenwood Capital remains a leader in delivering value to its clients and their investors.
Head of Legal & Compliance
Victoria Hamilton is the Head of Legal & Compliance at Ardenwood Capital, where she ensures that all capital-raising activities comply with regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions. With a strong background in corporate law and capital markets, Victoria plays a key role in structuring complex transactions, navigating legal intricacies to safeguard the firm and its clients. Her career spans more than 15 years in legal advisory roles within investment banking and private equity, where she has worked on high-profile mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising activities. Victoria’s strategic insight into risk management and her meticulous attention to detail ensure that all transactions are conducted efficiently and in compliance with applicable laws.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
David McAllister is the Chief Technology Officer at Ardenwood Capital, where he leads the development and deployment of the firm’s proprietary AI-driven investor targeting platform. With over 15 years of experience in fintech and AI technology, David ensures that Ardenwood remains at the forefront of technological innovation, optimizing its deal origination and investor engagement processes.
Prior to joining Ardenwood, David held senior roles in leading tech firms where he spearheaded the creation of automated systems for financial analysis and customer relationship management. His expertise in technology-driven solutions enables Ardenwood to provide efficient, data-backed capital-raising strategies to clients, setting the firm apart in the competitive landscape of financial advisory services.
Senior Analyst, Capital Markets
Clara Fontaine is the Senior Analyst of Capital Markets at Ardenwood Capital, where she plays a critical role in providing detailed financial analysis and market research to support the firm’s capital-raising initiatives. Clara’s expertise in data-driven analysis helps the team identify market trends, assess opportunities, and make informed decisions that drive value for clients.
With a background in capital markets and financial modeling, Clara’s insights are integral to ensuring that Ardenwood’s clients are well-positioned to secure investor interest. Her rigorous approach to analysis and research has helped the firm consistently deliver successful outcomes in capital-raising efforts across various industries.