Kia Besharat has over 15 years of extensive private equity, investment banking, and directorship experience, including as former Managing Director at Ubequity Capital Partners, a leading global merchant and investment bank.
Kia acts exclusively as a consultant to Gravitas Securities Inc., where he helps with the advisory, restructuring, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions mandates across the firm’s platform, with a recent focus on the following industry groups: consumer/retail, natural resources, internet/new media, technology, and healthcare. While at Gravitas Securities as a Senior Managing Director of Investment Banking, Kia played a pivotal role in establishing Gravitas Securities as one of the top boutique investment banks in Canada. His transactions have totaled in excess of $1 billion at Gravitas Securities and more than $4 billion over the span of his career.
Kia’s entrepreneurial ability and relationship management skills allow him to work closely with and support earlier stage companies. As such, he has personally invested in and helped grow hundreds of public and private companies.
Throughout his career, Kia has always demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to his community. Kia has supported numerous charitable organizations such as the Daily Bread Food Bank, Sick Kids Hospital Foundation, the Royal Columbian Hospital, and the Merry Go Round Children's Foundation.
Kia holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economics with a minor in Management) from McGill University as well as a Master of Science (Finance and Investment) from the University of Edinburgh. He was also one of Canada’s top tennis players, having competed as a professional in tournaments around the world and at the NCAA Division 1 level. In 2018, Kia was recognized by the Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC) as a Top 40 Under 40 Award Nominee.