Matt Brinker

Matt Brinker is a Managing Partner at Merchant focused on evaluating new investment opportunities and helping partner firms work through strategic and operational initiatives for growth and scale.

Before Merchant, Matt was Chief Business Development Officer and Head of Acquisitions for United Capital Financial Advisors, where he and his partners grew assets from $300m to $25b.  Matt was responsible for United’s acquisition strategy, which led to 90 transactions over 15 years. Additionally, Matt launched and grew United’s wealthtech platform growing assets to $23b AUM. Goldman Sachs purchased United Capital in 2019.

Matt is an investor and board member for several wealthtech companies focused on organic growth, modern client experiences, and operational scale.

Matt is a guest columnist for wealthmanagement.com and a frequent guest on various podcasts and panels, speaking on M&A, client experience, and growth at scale. Matt guest lectures at UC Irvine, covering varying aspects of the US financial services industry.

Matt received an MBA from the University of California, Irvine, and a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado. Matt was named to WCC All-Rookie Soccer Team for St. Mary’s College.

Matt lives in Newport Beach, CA, with his wife and two children. Matt is as passionate about backcountry skiing, surfing, and endurance races as he is about working with founders and fellow entrepreneurs.