Partner joins investment team from Thoma Bravo and Principal from Sumeru; new operating partner to deepen technology and AI enablement across portfolio

Nexa Equity, a San Francisco-based private equity firm that partners with high-growth vertical SaaS companies to help scale them into market leaders, today announced three senior additions that significantly expand its investment and operating capabilities:

• Peter Stefanski joins as a Partner from Thoma Bravo;
• Blake Shott joins as a Principal from Sumeru Equity Partners; and
• Conor Barber joins as Nexa’s fourth dedicated Operating Partner focused on technology and AI.

These appointments build on Nexa’s momentum following the close of Nexa Equity Fund II, an oversubscribed $390 million vehicle that brings assets under management to more than $1 billion.

Deepening Investment Expertise

Stefanski served as a Partner on Thoma Bravo’s flagship team and partnered with management teams to scale category-defining software companies. He has nearly 15 years of private equity experience, and has utilized his deep sector expertise to help businesses accelerate growth, implement operational best practices and execute strategic acquisitions. Stefanski has played a key role across 10 platform companies including ABC Fitness, Autodata, Deltek, J.D. Power, Medallia, Planview, PowerPlan, QAD, TRADER Corporation and TravelClick. He began his career in M&A at Barclays, holds a BSBA in Finance and Accounting from Georgetown University and was recently recognized by GrowthCap in 2024 as one of the top software investors of the year.

Shott was a Vice President at Sumeru Equity Partners and played a large role in sourcing, executing, and scaling application-software investments, including 360Learning, beqom, Consensus, Firstup, JobNimbus and Loopio. He began his career in technology investment banking at William Blair and is a graduate of the University of Southern California.

Earlier this year, Nexa also welcomed Jason Canavan to the investment team. Canavan previously served as an investor at Lead Edge Capital and LLR Partners, and brings a strong background in growth-oriented software investing.

Expanding Operating Capabilities and Driving AI Adoption

Barber joins as Nexa’s fourth dedicated Operating Partner, bringing more than a decade of hands-on software development experience from Apple to Airbyte, and other leading technology companies. He will work closely with founders and technical leaders across the Nexa portfolio to accelerate practical AI adoption, from helping portfolio companies adopt efficiency driving AI tools to helping portfolio companies develop more AI powered tools.

Firm Momentum

“Peter and Blake are highly accomplished software investors who share our founder-first philosophy, and Conor’s deep expertise in AI and technology meaningfully strengthens our ability to help entrepreneurs scale category-defining companies,” said Vlad Besprozvany, Founder and Managing Partner of Nexa Equity. “Together, these additions expand our capacity to act as a high-conviction, hands-on partner to founders as they grow their businesses.”

The expanded team underscores Nexa’s momentum and its operator-led model of providing founders with targeted resources across go-to-market, product, and operations. Nexa Fund II will continue the firm’s approach of partnering with visionary founders of vertical SaaS companies solving real-world problems that are poised to scale rapidly through operational excellence, disciplined GTM execution, and strategic M&A.

“Nexa has built a unique model around concentrated investing, hands-on operational support, and a deep commitment to high-growth vertical SaaS software,” said Peter Stefanski, Partner at Nexa Equity. “I’m excited to help extend that playbook and support the next wave of visionary founders as they grow their exceptional software companies into true category leaders.”

“Nexa’s culture is grounded in a collaborative approach to scaling founder-led businesses,” added Blake Shott, Principal at Nexa Equity. “I look forward to partnering with teams shaping the future of their industries through innovative software.”

About Nexa Equity

Nexa Equity is a San Francisco-based private equity firm partnering with founder-led high-growth vertical SaaS companies that address markets underserved by technology to create long-term value for investors and portfolio companies. The firm manages more than $1 billion in assets. Nexa’s team brings substantial investing and operational expertise to help founders and management teams professionalize and scale their businesses for sustainable growth. For more information, please visit www.nexaequity.com.

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