Leadership You Can Execute With

Rick Guadagno is a seasoned operator, entrepreneur, and capital advisor with a proven track record guiding companies through every stage of growth — from early scaling to capital raises and successful exits. His experience spans healthcare, technology, fintech, eCommerce, and service-based businesses, giving him a broad, cross-industry perspective that’s uniquely valuable to both founders and investors.

Having built and led multiple businesses himself, Rick brings an operator’s mindset to every transaction. He understands firsthand the challenges leadership teams face when navigating growth, market shifts, and capital needs. His ability to balance strategy with execution, and finance with operations, allows him to serve as a trusted partner to companies working to unlock the next phase of growth.

Over the years, Rick has worked closely with early-stage and middle-market companies to structure and secure significant growth capital across various market cycles. Through this work, he recognized a gap in the market: the disconnect between traditional capital advisory and the practical realities of scaling a business in today’s environment. Centium Capital was built to bridge that gap — combining capital markets expertise with hands-on operational and growth strategy support.

As Founder and Managing Partner of Centium Capital, Rick leads a firm that helps companies access capital, optimize growth strategies, and position for long-term success. His leadership, strategic insight, and ability to align stakeholders have made him a trusted advisor to founders, executive teams, private equity, venture funds, and family offices.

Lucas has over twenty-five years of experience as an equity research analyst, content creator, fundraiser, and advisor to startups.

In his capacity as business analyst and investment consultant, Lucas has consulted for startups in real estate, software, healthcare, beauty, finance, logistics and AI, helping to raise over a dozen Seed and Series A rounds in the past 3 years. In addition, Lucas provides investment research and portfolio management services for several Family Offices in the 8-figure range.

Prior to his current work as a startup advisor and fundraiser, Mr. Ward was an equity research analyst at JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs Asia, and Hambrecht & Quist. During that time, he served as a trusted resource for institutional investors regarding the technology industry, equity valuations, and investment opportunities. Mr. Ward made regular appearances in investment media and participated in roadshows to educate and engage with institutional investors in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Lucas is currently a Senior Research Analyst for Ascendiant Capital Markets LLC where he follows primarily small-cap Life Sciences companies. Mr. Ward earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian Languages and Civilizations from Amherst College, and he attended Peking University where he studied Chinese Language and History. He has full written and verbal fluency in Mandarin Chinese and Italian, and has conversational fluency in Cantonese, Spanish, and Japanese.

Mr. Ward maintains FINRA Series 7, 63, 66, and 87 securities registrations.

Jonathan is a seasoned financial strategist and capital markets expert with over 20 years of experience advising startups, growth-stage companies, and institutional investors. He brings to Centium Capital a unique blend of executive leadership, venture capital expertise, and corporate finance acumen.

Jonathan has helped raise more than $800 million in capital for emerging businesses and advised dozens of startups on go-to-market strategy, investor readiness, and financial modeling. As a former venture capitalist and commercial banker, he understands the investor mindset and how to position companies for successful funding rounds and strategic exits.

His career spans multiple sectors including fintech, SaaS, healthcare, and consumer products. Jonathan is especially adept at bridging the gap between founders and funders—translating complex business models into compelling investment narratives. Johnathan also has proven success in product development & helps founders bring their product from concept to user adoption. 

At Centium Capital, Jonathan plays a key role in guiding capital strategy, refining investor materials, and supporting strategic partnerships. His practical insights, sharp diligence, and extensive investor network are instrumental in helping our clients secure the right capital at the right time.