Robert Sarrazin

Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner
2020
AIF’s bold mission is to revolutionize the status quo for diagnosing, treating, and living with autism. Through a venture capital model, the fund will accelerate bringing emerging technologies, translational science and innovative services into the hands of patients. We are committed to building a world where autism is diagnosed earlier and with greater precision, and where all individuals have access to effective biological interventions and services that support them throughout the lifespan.

2015 - 2020

VP Global Head of External Innovation and Direct Investments
2015 - 2020
Built a new strategically focused Corporate Development capability. Managed a Global team with deep medical (Phds), financial and strategic expertise focused on key markets in respiratory, pain, oral care, nutrition, skin, and wellness. Single point of contact for all external opportunities. Focused on finding and negotiating M&A, licensing, strategic partnerships and co-development agreements aligned with the consumer healthcare categories. Added global capabilities focused on incubation, accelerators, venture investment, academic partnerships and alliance management. Implemented a “partner of choice” external communication strategy that enhanced GSK’s visibility with start-ups, academics and individual inventors. Developed new corporate growth platforms in digital devices and diagnostics, neuromodulation, microbiome, Rx to OTC Switch, bio-actives, and category line extensions. Built a comprehensive global network of key opinion leaders with emphasis on OTC, digital health, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, consumer insights, regulatory affairs, CDMA, and corporate strategy

2011 - 2015

Senior Partner
2011 - 2015
CSW is a $160M private equity firm specializing in buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth capital transactions in middle market companies. The firm typically invests in families seeking liquidity, shareholders looking to recapitalize, companies seeking growth through acquisitions, companies seeking new market expansion (geographic, consumer or product), or large corporations selling orphan divisions or operations that are no longer a strategic fit with their parent organizations. It seeks to invest in consumer (from manufacturing to retail) and general industrial (from manufacturing to distribution and business services) businesses. My role focused on enhancing management teams to support profitable sales growth via expanded retail and geographic footprint, engaging in quarterly limited partner updates regarding portfolio performance and future funding requirements, and negotiating several exits including the highly successful sale of Sqwincher Corporation.

1995 - 2011

Partner
1995 - 2011
Joined and helped build the Private Equity division of COP (a long-standing hedge fund founded in 1976). Completed 30+ middle market control acquisitions with primary focus on healthcare, consumer products and industrials. A few examples include as Orchid Orthopedics, Cirtec Medical, Globe Tool, Ross Aluminum, ITM, and Brass Eagle NASDAQ - XTRM. Sourced hundreds of investment opportunities; conducted due diligence, valuations, negotiated operating/purchase/employment agreements. Responsible for raising debt financing and negotiated all bank documents. Managed day-to-day operations of portfolio companies and monitored performance. Recommended strategic course of action and worked directly with management teams to improve company performance. Directly responsible for building management teams to support defined strategic plans, developed comprehensive management and employee incentive plans, analyzed operational performance and recommended improvements, reviewed financial controls and procedures, recommended improvements in pricing and profitability, approved capital expenditure budgets and efficiency improvement programs, conducted human resource analysis and assisted management teams in professionalizing their organizations, and enhancing the board of directors with industry experts and executive partners

1994 - 1995

Financial Analyst
1994 - 1995
Investment Banking, New York Financial Sponsors Group - Leverage Lending

1993 - 1993

Financial Analyst
1993 - 1993
IPO, high yield, and structured loan issuance for corporate clients

Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at AIF