Thomas Raterman

CFO & COO at Runway Growth Capital LLC

Speaker

Tom joined Runway Growth Capital in 2015 as Chief Financial Officer and is a member of the firm’s investment committee.

He brings more than 30 years of experience in corporate finance, investment banking, and executive leadership, with a focus on rapidly growing entrepreneurial companies. His expertise includes credit analysis, structuring, and lending, and he is passionate about helping businesses scale profitably and build long-term value.

Tom began his career as a corporate lender with Continental Bank and Security Pacific Bank, where he developed deep experience across the capital structure. He later joined GE Capital, providing financing solutions to private companies with complex capital needs.

He then served as Treasurer of Discovery Zone, Inc., where he led multiple debt and equity financings, including the company’s successful IPO, and played a key role in its sale to Blockbuster Video Corporation/Viacom. He also led international development efforts and non-franchise acquisitions.

Tom later co-founded LKQ Corporation alongside former Discovery Zone executives, serving as CFO and subsequently Executive Vice President of Central Region operations. During his tenure, the company completed 31 acquisitions and grew from a startup to $225 million in revenue.

Most recently, Tom served as Partner and Chief Operating Officer of GSV Financial Group LLC and its wholly owned subsidiary, GSV Ventures LLC.

Tom holds a Master of Management in Finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.