Learning Technology

Nathan Laverriere is a Senior Managing Director of Tech Investment Banking at SVB Securities. In this role, he supports the firm’s technology investment banking strategy and initiatives and leads the Education Technology & Services practice. With over 15 years of experience, he has built extensive relationships across the technology sector and with financial sponsors and has proven expertise in mergers and acquisitions, leveraged finance and equity capital markets. Nathan recently advised Blackstone (NYSE: BX) on its significant investment in Renaissance and Evergreen Coast Capital on its acquisition of DreamBox Learning.

Nathan joined the firm in 2021 from UBS where he was a Managing Director focused on advising technology companies, in particular leading its EdTech practice. While at UBS, he worked on many key transactions including, but not limited to, the sale of Ellucian to Blackstone and Vista Equity; the investment in EAB by BC Partners; the sale of Nearpod to Renaissance Learning; the sale of Turnitin to Advance; the sale of PowerSchool and PeopleAdmin to Onex; the sale of Frontline Education to Thoma Bravo; the IPOs of Coursera, KnowBe4 and PowerSchool and the financings of Anthology and Liaison. Previously, he worked at a technology start-up after acting as a Senior Vice President of Technology Mergers and Acquisitions for Jefferies.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Boston College.

Raymond Wu is a Managing Director of Investment Banking at SVB Securities covering Education Technology and Services, as well as the broader software universe. He recently advised Blackstone (NYSE: BX) on its significant investment in Renaissance and Evergreen Coast Capital on its acquisition of DreamBox Learning.

Raymond joined the firm in 2021 from UBS where he was an Executive Director focused on advising technology companies, with a specific focus on education technology. While at UBS, Raymond worked on many transactions including, but not limited to, the sale of Ellucian to Blackstone and Vista Equity; the investment in EAB by BC Partners; the sale of Nearpod to Renaissance Learning; the acquisition of Epicor by CD&R; and the investment in Diligent by Clearlake Capital and Blackstone. His prior work experience includes positions at Stifel, BMO Capital Markets, Battery Ventures and Jefferies.

He earned his B.A. in Applied Math from Harvard University.

Jason Auerbach is global co-head of investment banking and global head of tech investment banking for SVB Securities. In his role, he leads the company’s technology investment banking strategy and initiatives. With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, Jason has built extensive relationships and is widely known as one of the most prolific bankers in tech, particularly in software and its related sectors. While leading the tech investment banking team, he has completed numerous transactions, including Noregon Systems’ sale to The Hearst Corporation, PassFort’s sale to Moody’s and Evergreen Coast Capital’s acquisition of DreamBox Learning.

Jason joined SVB Securities in 2021. He came from UBS, where he served as the global co-head of technology, media and telecom (TMT) investment banking and sat on the firm’s global management committee. While there, Jason worked on many transactions, including the sale of Ellucian to Blackstone and Vista, the sale of CAMP Systems to The Hearst Corporation, the sale of Innovyze to Autodesk, the sale of Precisely to Clearlake and TA Associates, the sale of Turnitin to Advance Publications and the sale of Ensono to KKR. Earlier in his career, he was the global co-head of TMT mergers and acquisitions for Jefferies LLC.

Jason earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College at Columbia University.

Cara Pellicano is a Managing Director and Business Manager of Tech Investment Banking at SVB Securities.

Since joining the firm in 2021, Ms. Pellicano has been responsible for business operations of the Tech Investment Banking franchise including strategic planning, financial and business reporting and analytics, people management and recruiting.

Prior to SVB Securities, Ms. Pellicano was at Jefferies where she most recently was COO, Global Healthcare Investment Banking since 2018. Prior to this, Ms. Pellicano was the CFO of Eurasia Group, a geopolitical consulting and advisory firm, for 9 years and at Neuberger Berman in wealth asset management for 6 years.

Ms. Pellicano earned her B.A. in from Georgetown University and her MBA from NYU Stern School of Business.