Capital Advisory
We help companies evaluate capital needs, prepare and position financing opportunities, consider debt and equity alternatives, and connect with appropriate capital-market resources and registered parties.
Discuss a needMinneapolis · Established 2005
Capital Strategy for
Complex Growth Opportunities
Waterford Group advises business owners, executives, and boards on capital formation, strategic finance, transaction readiness, and growth. Our work combines capital-markets experience with the disciplined perspective of commercial banking, credit governance, and executive leadership.
Selective engagements · Senior-level counsel · Confidential discussions
2005Founded
$4.9BFinancing opportunities originated in 2024*
$15MBioplastics capital raise supported
U.S. + InternationalMarket experience
*Represents originated financing opportunities; not all opportunities were necessarily funded or closed.
Advisory Services
Experienced judgment at consequential moments.
Focused advice for companies and boards navigating capital decisions, transactions, growth, and change.
Strategic Finance
We support financial strategy, growth planning, transaction readiness, M&A evaluation, special situations, and select interim executive engagements where experienced judgment can accelerate progress.
Discuss a needBoard & Executive Advisory
We bring perspective across commercial banking, credit and risk governance, capital planning, fintech, AI-enabled financial services, and consequential board-level decision-making.
Discuss a needSelected Experience
Perspective built through varied mandates.
Representative experience across capital formation, executive leadership, strategic transactions, and financial services.
Capital Markets
Originated and referred more than $4.9 billion in debt and equity financing opportunities for a boutique investment bank in 2024.
Sustainable Technology
Helped source non-dilutive capital for an energy-storage system designed to extend wind and solar storage capability.
Interim Leadership
Served as interim CFO and supported a $15 million capital raise for a bioplastics company.
Strategic M&A
Advised a privately held apparel company regarding strategic M&A considerations.
Financial Services
Designed and implemented a wealth-management platform for a commercial banking organization.
Growth Strategy
Advised a hospitality organization on market expansion and strategic planning.
Real Estate
Participated in the conversion of a downtown office property into multifamily housing.
International Development
Connected United States medical-technology companies with international economic-development resources.
Cross-Sector Origination
Developed financing opportunities involving medical devices, manufacturing, healthcare, agribusiness, hospitality, and commercial real estate.
About the Founder
Experienced Across Capital, Credit, and Governance
Steven J. Barton, MBA, is the Founder and Managing Director of Waterford Group LLC, which he has led for more than 20 years.
His professional background spans investment banking, private equity, commercial banking, wealth management, and strategic advisory work. During a 2024 engagement with a boutique investment bank, he originated $4.9 billion in financing opportunities.
Steven is a long-serving director of Unity Bank, with leadership responsibilities in commercial credit and risk governance, and an Advisory Board member of Zorro Fi, an AI-enabled fintech company. He has worked with founders, CEOs, investors, lenders, and boards across a range of strategic and financial matters.
He holds an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology.
Connect on LinkedInRelevant experience.
Selective engagement.
Waterford Group accepts engagements based on fit, where its experience and relationships can add meaningful value.
Financial services & fintech
Medical technology & healthcare
Manufacturing
Agribusiness
Commercial real estate
Hospitality
Emerging & sustainable technologies
Contact
Start a Confidential Conversation
If your company is evaluating a capital need, strategic transaction, growth initiative, or board-level financial issue, we welcome an initial confidential discussion.