Catalyst Investors is a growth equity firm focused on technology-enabled businesses including cloud computing, wireless infrastructure and digital media. Founded in 1999 and investing its fourth fund, Catalyst draws on its deep sector expertise and extensive network of industry leaders to work in true partnership with management to create long-term value. 

Venture Capital

Catalyst Investors

Managing Partners

Sidney joined Catalyst in 2021 and is responsible for deal origination through writing research reports, formulating investment strategies and conducting company outreach. In addition to deal sourcing, she supports the deal team on target company due diligence, transaction execution, and portfolio management.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Sidney was an analyst at [SeedInvest](/org/seedinvest) where she worked on early stage venture transactions. She previously worked as an associate at Almanac Realty Investors, and as an investment banking analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Sidney graduated with honors from [Johns Hopkins University](/org/johns-hopkins-university), with a BA in Applied Mathematics & Statistics.

Sidney Kanell

John joined Catalyst in 2020 and is responsible for deal origination through writing research reports, formulating investment strategies, and conducting company outreach. In addition, to deal sourcing, he supports the deal team on target company due diligence, transaction execution, and portfolio management.

Prior to joining Catalyst, John was an investment banking associate at GCA Advisors, where he worked on M&A and private financing transactions in software, digital media, financial technology, and tech-enabled services.

John graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, summa cum laude, with a B.A. in Economics.

John Buck

Kyle joined Catalyst in 2018 and is responsible for deal origination through writing research reports, formulating investment strategies and conducting company outreach. In addition to deal sourcing, he supports the deal team on target company due diligence, transaction execution and portfolio management.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Kyle was an investment banking analyst at AGC Partners in Boston, where he worked on a variety of technology-focused M&A and private placement transactions.

Kyle graduated from [Tufts University](/org/tufts-university), cum laude, with a BA in Quantitative Economics.

Kyle Howard-Johnson

Tyler joined Catalyst in 2000 and has been a Partner since 2006. He leads portfolio investments and currently has a focus on vertical SaaS, HR Tech, and Sustainability. Tyler currently serves on the boards of ChowNow, Datavail (as Chair), RepTrak, Rivet, and Weave Communications (NYSE: WEAV). He previously served on numerous boards of Catalyst portfolio companies, including Ascentis, BrightFarms, Conductor, EDB, and Mindbody. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and helps manage the firm.

Prior to joining Catalyst (way back when), Tyler worked in TMT leveraged finance at TD Securities.

Tyler graduated with a B.A. from Middlebury College, cum laude, where he majored in Economics. He is also a CFA Charter holder.

Tyler Newton

Brian is responsible for the general management and investment policy of [Catalyst Investors](/org/catalyst-investors). He monitors all of the firm’s investment opportunities and provides counsel for all portfolio companies. A veteran investor, he has more than 20 years of experience in the business services, technology and wireless sectors. Brian has served on numerous boards at Catalyst and predecessor funds and served on the board of directors and Executive Committee of the [National Venture Capital Association](/org/national-venture-capital-association).

Prior to co-founding Catalyst, Brian founded and managed TD Capital (USA) Inc. (“TD Capital”), the entity that made Toronto Dominion Bank’s U.S.-based equity, mezzanine, and limited partnership investments from 1995 to 1999. Before founding TD Capital, Brian was a Managing Director in the bank’s Media, Telecom & Technology Group. Prior to joining TD in 1990, Brian held positions at The Bank of New York and Intel Corporation.

Brian earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Brian Rich

Grady joined Catalyst in 2016 and is responsible for deal origination and execution, portfolio management, formulating investment strategies, and conducting company outreach.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Grady was an investment banking analyst in the Technology, Media & Telecommunications group at Wells Fargo Securities in New York. Previously, he worked as an investment banking analyst in the Leveraged Finance group at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey in Atlanta.

Grady earned a BA in Economics from Vanderbilt University and an MS in Commerce from the University of Virginia.

Grady Kidder

Patty is responsible for Catalyst’s accounting and reporting.

Prior to joining Catalyst in 2012, Patty served as Vice President with JP Morgan Private Equity and Real Estate Fund Services where she managed a multimillion-revenue client relationship with fund commitments in excess of $2B. Previously, she spent more than 9 years at Deloitte & Touche LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP, where she last held the position of Audit Senior Manager specializing in audits of private equity funds.

A Certified Public Accountant and a member of the [AICPA](/org/aicpa) and the New York State Society of CPA’s, Patty received a BBA in accounting and an MS in taxation from [Baruch College](/org/baruch).

Patty Xu

Kapil is responsible for sourcing and leading new investment opportunities, particularly in the areas of Healthcare, Food Tech, and Prop Tech. He currently serves on the board of Ekos and as a board observer for ChowNow. Kapil previously served on the boards of Clinicient and BrightFarms among others. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Kapil worked in technology investment banking at Credit Suisse.

Kapil graduated from Georgetown University, cum laude, with a B.S. in Business Administration.

Kapil Desai

Gene joined Catalyst in 2008 and is responsible for fundraising and investor relations. In addition, he participates on boards of select portfolio companies and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Gene served as a Managing Director of [Citigroup](/org/citigroup) where he managed and completed the restructuring of the company’s distressed and micro-cap equity trading business and international broker/dealer relationships. He joined [Citigroup](/org/citigroup) as part of its acquisition of TD Waterhouse Capital Markets, Inc., of which Gene was President and Founder. Earlier in his career, Gene founded and was CEO of Gateway Capital Investment Group and Allegiance Securities, both of which were acquired by Toronto Dominion Bank affiliates. Prior to joining Gateway, he served as Director of EquitiLink International Ltd. which was sold to Aberdeen Asset Management.

Gene served on the Board of Catalyst portfolio company, Advantage Business Media, and as Treasurer/Board of Directors for MSF-USA from March 2014 to September 2017.

Gene received a BS in Marketing and Management from [Montclair State University](/org/montclair-state-university) and an MBA in Finance from [Pace University](/org/pace-university-new-york).

Gene Wolfson

Ryan Mcnally is a Partner, Co-Founder & Head of Business Development at [Catalyst Investors](/org/catalyst-investors). Ryan has been with the company for 23 years and 7 months. Prior to their current position, they were a Board Member, Investor for [Fusion Risk Management](/org/fusion-risk-management) for 5 years and 1 month. Ryan was also a Board Member, Investor for [Jobvite](/org/jobvite) for 7 years and 11 months. Additionally, they were a Board Member, Investor for [PresenceLearning](/org/presencelearning) for 3 years and 2 months. Lastly, they were a Board Member, Investor for WeddingWire for 6 years and 7 months.
Ryan Mcnally has a [Harvard University](/org/harvard) degree from 1985 to 1989 and a Dalton High School diploma from 1981 to 1985.
The team of Ryan Mcnally, Partner, Co-Founder & Head of Business Development, is composed of Patty Xu, Sidney Kanell, Kyle Howard-Johnson, John Buck, Ryan Mcnally, Allison Forlenza, Gene Wolfson, Kapil Desai, Todd Clapp, Emily Baker, Susan Bihler, Tyler Newton, and Grady Kidder.

Ryan Mcnally

Lindsey joined Catalyst in 2021 and provides administrative support to the investment team, manages office operations, and coordinates events and logistics for the team. She is Catalyst’s first point of contact for all guests and serves as a liaison for Catalyst LPs and portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Lindsey worked in property management where she was responsible for overseeing the front office and focused on streamlining processes for the company, while also assisting the accounting department.

Lindsey graduated cum laude, with a B.S. from The State University of New York College at Oneonta.

Lindsey Brown

Jamie is a senior consultant for the Catalyst accounting department. Prior to joining Catalyst in 2021, Jamie was Vice President at Citco, managing a multimillion revenue client relationship. Previously, Jamie held the position of Manager at SS&C, where she managed client relationships and was thus introduced to Catalyst. Jamie also has experience as an audit manager at KPMG, primarily focused on auditing private equity funds, hedge funds and funds of funds.

Jamie graduated with a BS in Accounting from the University of Colorado at Denver and held a Certified Public Accounting license for the state of New Jersey.

Jamie Ku

Max joined Catalyst in 2021 and is responsible for formulating investment strategies through research and analysis of trends, deal sourcing, and conducting company outreach.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Max was on the growth team at Thuzio (acquired by Triller) and has developed operations and partnership strategies for multiple startups. He also worked as a summer analyst at NBC where he focused on OTT streaming platform market research ahead of the launch of Peacock.

Max graduated, cum laude, with a B.S. from Cornell University.

Max Mandell

Carson joined Catalyst in 2021 and is responsible for deal origination through writing research reports, formulating investment strategies, and conducting company outreach. Carson works to build relationships with top near- and long-term investment opportunities.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Carson was an analyst at Frontier Growth, where he focused on B2B SaaS businesses. He previously worked with Square 1 Bank as part of the venture lending team.

Carson graduated with honors from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Finance.

Carson Bliss

Killian joined Catalyst in 2022 and is responsible for deal origination through writing research reports, formulating investment strategies, and conducting company outreach. In addition, to deal sourcing, he supports the deal team on target company due diligence, transaction execution, and portfolio management.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Killian was an investment banking analyst at Alantra where he focused on M&A advisory for enterprise software and tech-enabled services businesses. He previously worked as an analyst at technology-focused growth equity firm Aldrich Capital Partners.

Killian received his B.A. in History from the University of Virginia where he competed on the varsity squash team.

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