INVESTMENT BANKER OF THE YEAR HONOREE
ERIC GOLDEN
Founder; Managing Director
Fluential Partners, LLC
Eric Golden’s Fluential Partners was the exclusive sell-side investment bank on the April 2024 sale of Varni Brothers Corporation, a California-based family-owned beverage producer, to Refresco, a KKR-backed multi-billion-dollar strategic buyer based in Europe. Fluential was also the exclusive sell-side investment bank on the November 2024 sale of Vino Vault, a California-based provider of wine storage services across the US to Uovo, the nation’s leading art and wine storage company. Vino Vault, founded by a team from leading storage icon Iron Mountain, grew rapidly over four years by acquiring businesses across the U.S. In addition to handling the sale in 2024, Fluential raised all of Vino Vault’s multiple equity and debt financing rounds and helped the company acquire eight different companies. Golden also served as a member of Vino Vault’s board and handled many of the negotiations that were needed among management, the private equity sponsor, and independent board members. A few qualities make Golden successful as a dealmaker include his ability to excel in problem-solving, taking ownership of clearing barriers (large and small) in order to get a deal over the finish line. He stays directly involved in all critical negotiations and has a talent for “getting to yes,” even with difficult people. He will also roll up his sleeves and handle more mundane impediments. He also brings a holistic, rounded perspective to engagements. Golden doesn’t hesitate to dig in and offer strategic and operational help to clients beyond the usual investment banking mandate.
