Donato Sferra is a Toronto-based investor and business executive with an extensive background in the financial services industry. He currently serves as Principal and Managing Partner at Hillcrest Merchant Partners, an angel investment firm focusing on industries such as cannabis, electric metals, blockchain, mining, gaming, and technology. In this role, Sferra is dedicated to collaborating with exceptional management teams who present innovative ideas.
In addition to his work at Hillcrest, Sferra is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Above Food Corp., a plant-based foods company. At Above Food, he holds the positions of Chief Corporate Development Officer and Executive Vice President, where he plays a pivotal role in steering the company’s growth and strategic initiatives.
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Before establishing Hillcrest Merchant Partners, Sferra was the Managing Director of Investment Banking at Eight Capital from 2016 to 2017. During his tenure, he led the company’s cannabis investment banking team, further solidifying his expertise in emerging industries.
Prior to his time at Eight Capital, Sferra spent five years at Dundee Capital Markets. From 2011 to 2013, he served as Director of Institutional Sales, focusing on Canadian equities for North American institutions. He then advanced to Managing Director of Investment Banking from 2013 to 2016, specializing in sectors including cannabis, electric metals, mining, gaming, and technology.
Earlier in his career, Sferra was Director of Institutional Sales at Macquarie Group in Toronto from 2009 to 2011, where he managed Canadian equities for North American institutions. He also served as Vice President of Investments at Pinetree Capital Ltd. from 2006 to 2008, an angel investment firm focusing on mining, energy, and technology sectors. In this role, he was part of the executive management team, involved in evaluating and managing the company’s investment portfolio.
Sferra’s foundational experience includes working as an equity research analyst at TD Securities, where he specialized in auto parts, solar, and automation industries. He also practiced as a chartered accountant and senior auditor at Arthur Andersen for four years, honing his expertise in financial analysis and auditing.
Academically, Sferra studied accounting at the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree between 1994 and 1998. He holds both the Chartered Accountant (CA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations, underscoring his commitment to professional excellence in the financial sector.
Throughout his career, Donato Sferra has demonstrated a keen ability to identify and invest in emerging industries, leveraging his extensive experience to foster innovation and growth across various sectors. His leadership roles and entrepreneurial ventures reflect a deep commitment to advancing the financial services industry and supporting visionary management teams.
