About us
We founded Socium Capital with a vision to partnering with business owners to preserve and grow their life’s work.
We believe in people and relationships and take a partnership-orientated approach to every decision we make.
Our Partners have many years of experience in both private and public capital markets, including mergers and acquisitions. Our experience spans investment banks, private equity firms and hedge funds, as well as large private and public companies. We’ve run businesses, managed people and understand the mindset of entrepreneurs. Fundamentally, we are a firm of entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.
Our team
Robert Curran
Managing Partner
Robert leads the firm’s investing activities, including deal sourcing and execution.
Previously, Robert worked in investment banking at both a local independent dealer and at a large Canadian bank. He has experience across an array of capital markets transactions including mergers and acquisitions and capital raising for both private and public companies. Robert has also worked in real estate finance.
Robert obtained his MBA from the Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto and his bachelor’s degree in Management from the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University.
Michael Shapiro
Partner
Michael is also the Managing Principal of Four Cornerstones Capital Inc., a privately held investment company based in Toronto, Ontario. The company invests in traditional and alternative asset classes and strategies by identifying best-in-class entrepreneurs and partners.
Previously, Michael was a Managing Partner of a lumber wholesaler and distributor, which he and his partners exited in a sale to publicly listed company. Michael holds a number of board of director positions in private companies and is involved with a number of limited partnership advisory committees.
Michael completed his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree at the University of Western Ontario.
Adam Spears
Partner
Adam Spears is also the Founder of ace148, a privately held investment company based in Toronto, Ontario. The Company focuses on investments in both the public and private markets.
Previously, Adam was a Partner and Portfolio Manager at a long-short equity hedge fund manager, which was ranked by both Bloomberg and Barron’s as top performing funds during his tenure. Adam also worked in private equity investing and investment banking. Adam has held a number of board of director positions in both private and public companies.
Adam is a graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and is a CFA Charterholder.
Brian Rowley CPA, CA
CFO
Brian is also the CFO of Four Cornerstones Capital Inc., a privately held investment company based in Toronto, Ontario. The company invests in traditional and alternative asset classes and strategies by identifying best-in-class entrepreneurs and partners. The company allocates capital into both public and private investments, and is heavily involved in political advocacy and philanthropy.
Brian has spent his career as the CFO of single-family offices, directly involved in overseeing financial reporting, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, refinancing, and income tax planning.
Rick Ekstein
Senior Advisor
Before establishing Phaze 3 Associates in 2016, Rick was President and CEO of Weston Forest Products, and the Weston Forest Group of Companies, conducting business in over 40 countries on 4 continents. Weston companies have repeatedly won a variety of awards including Canada’s Best Managed Companies, Profit 500’s Fastest Growing Companies and Waterstone Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures.
Rick holds several board and director positions in both private companies and charitable organizations, including one he founded, Together We Stand Military Families Foundation.