Howard Lindzon — Founder, Managing Partner

Howard has more than 20 years experience in the financial community acting in both an entrepreneurial and investing capacity. With a differentiated vision for starting, managing, and successfully advising innovative companies, Lindzon is the public-face of Social Leverage. In 2008 Lindzon co-founded StockTwits. Stocktwits pioneered the 'cashtag' ($AAPL) and today has over 6 million monthly unique visitors to the site. In November 2021, Stocktwits raised $30 million. Previously, Lindzon founded Wallstrip (an on-line video show) which was acquired by CBS in 2007. The connection to StockTwits gives Social Leverage access to a talented and diverse community of professionals who continuously surface and evaluate FinTech opportunities.

Howard blogs at howardlindzon.com.

Tom Peterson — Founder, Managing Partner, CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER (CCO)

Tom is a Co-Founder of Social Leverage. In 2011, Tom and Howard were recognized by Institutional Investor as one of the “super angels,” where they were depicted as helping to reorganize early-stage investing with disciplined capital, uniform investing rules and a sense of community that traditional venture capital took notice of. In 2013, they subsequently raised their first fund. Ten years later, with 150+ investments closed, Peterson manages the day-to-day business of Social Leverage and assists portfolio companies in need with operational and corporate development experience. He has a strong fiduciary presence and acts as the company's Chief Compliance Officer. 

Gary Benitt — Managing Partner

Gary is a seasoned serial entrepreneur, having been a part of four founding teams in both consumer and B2B companies over the past 18 years. Most recently, he spent 3 years with Salesforce.com as the Desk.com COO after his company, Assistly, was acquired in 2011. Previously, Gary was with Aol after his prior startup (Goowy Media) was acquired in early 2008. Gary has managed various technology and go to market teams including business operations, customer service, client implementation and success, engineering and quality assurance. He brings broad knowledge across all facets of growing a business from startup into a mature organization. Gary has been an active investor in early stage companies since 2011, with over 20 investments, including notable companies like Civic, Classy, Getaround, Gyft, Gusto, Kustomer and Stitch Labs.

Matt ober — General Partner

Matt is a general partner at Social Leverage. Matt was most recently the Chief Data Scientist at Third Point where he built the data analytics and technology platform used to enhance the firm’s investment capabilities in equity, structured credit, venture capital and cryptocurrency. Prior to joining Third Point, Matt was the Head of Data Strategy at WorldQuant and part of the WorldQuant Ventures founding team focused on private investments in fintech, data, and technology companies. As an active angel investor for over 10 years, Matt brings his data and analytics expertise to each company with whom he partners. Matt holds a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and sits on the board of governors for his alma mater, California State University Chico.