Faizan Kabir
Founder & Principal
I'm partnering with owners and building an essential services business — bringing institutional rigor and entrepreneurial commitment to create lasting value.
My background spans partnering and investing in founder owned businesses, corporate strategy, and investment banking, where I've led partnerships, built management teams, and transformed operational performance. At Equity Group Investments, Sam Zell's private investment firm, I've sourced and executed control investments, partnered with founders to drive growth, and stepped into interim operating roles to stabilize and scale businesses. I've seen firsthand how the right combination of operational discipline, customer focus, and strategic investment can transform solid businesses into industry leaders.
With Ascend Group, I'm backing that conviction with my own capital, along with like-minded capital sources, and full-time commitment. I'm not looking to flip — I'm building a company I'll run for the long haul, creating value for customers, employees, and the communities we serve.
Background
Vice President at Equity Group Investments — Led and managed partnerships ranging from $100MM to $200MM across distribution, logistics, and industrial sectors
Corporate Strategy at Bank of America — Evaluated M&A opportunities, strategic partnerships, new business lines, and competitive positioning across payments and fintech
Investment Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch — Financial technology M&A and capital markets advisory
Indiana University, Kelley School of Business — B.S. in Finance with Distinction
