Placement Services Through Old City Securities, LLC · Member FINRA/SIPC
Private Capital Placement for Growth Companies, Fund Managers & Sponsors
Highwood Estate Capital provides private capital placement and third-party marketing services through Old City Securities, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC — connecting select companies, fund managers, and sponsors with qualified investors through a broader network of licensed representatives.
Our Platform at a Glance (All figures approximate)
25+
Years of Institutional Experience
8
Sectors With Direct Transaction Experience
100+
Licensed Representatives Via Old City Securities
Securities offered through Old City Securities, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.
View Michael Riskind's BrokerCheck Record →
After 25 Years in Institutional Markets — First Watching How the Best Investors and Allocators Think, Then Helping Companies and Managers Reach Them — I Know Exactly Where the Gap is. My Job is to Close It.
Michael Riskind · Founder & Principal, Highwood Estate Capital
Direct Deal Experience
Sectors With Direct Transaction Experience
We bring genuine transaction experience — not generalist coverage — across each of these sectors. We take on mandates where we have the right investor relationships to execute.
Consumer Brands & Products
AI & Technology
Media, Music & Experiences
Healthcare Services
Robotics
Spirits & Beverage
Cannabis
Real Estate
Selected Engagement Categories
Representative Engagements
A representative selection of private placements, investor introductions, strategic capital advisory, and marketing relationships—described in general terms in accordance with client confidentiality.
Client identities are kept confidential in accordance with our engagement agreements. The descriptions below are representative of sectors and transaction types in which Highwood Estate Capital has been involved.
Who We Work With
Capital Seekers & Sources We Engage With
Growth-Stage Operating Companies
Emerging Fund Managers
Family Offices & Institutional Allocators
Real Estate Sponsors & Developers
Private Credit Issuers
Accredited Investors
Venture & Early-Stage Companies
Strategic Capital Partners
Our relationships extend across family offices, institutional allocators, venture capital, private credit, hedge funds, strategic investors, and emerging managers — built over 25 years of direct, relationship-driven engagement.
How We Work
One Process. Two Entry Points.
We work with a select number of issuers and investors at any time. Every engagement starts with a direct conversation with Mike Riskind.
For Companies & Sponsors
A Placement Partner Operating Through a Registered Broker-Dealer
Each engagement begins with a review of your capital structure, investor narrative, and go-to-market strategy — then moves to targeted outreach through our network and Old City Securities' 100+ licensed representative platform.
- Capital strategy & investor narrative development
- Marketing materials review & positioning
- Targeted investor identification & outreach
- Introductions through Old City's 100+ licensed rep network
- Support through diligence, term sheet & close
For Qualified Investors
Curated Private Market Opportunities for Qualified Investors
We seek to understand your investment focus, eligibility, and areas of interest before introducing any opportunity. Access is subject to accreditation verification and broker-dealer review.
- Growth equity & venture-stage companies
- Emerging alternative asset managers
- Real estate equity & private credit
- Available only to accredited investors, subject to suitability
Our Founder
Michael Riskind
Founder & Principal · Highwood Estate Capital, LLC
Mike Riskind spent 15 years in institutional equity sales and trading at UBS Investment Bank, KeyBanc Capital Markets, and BB&T Capital Markets — building deep relationships across hedge funds, long-only managers, and family offices. For the past 12 years, he has run Highwood Estate Capital, LLC, advising growth-stage companies, emerging fund managers, and real estate sponsors on raising private capital in the $3M–$25M+ range.
EDUCATION
Cornell University · BA
Kellogg School of Management · MBA
LICENSES
Series 7, 24 & 63
FINRA Registered
BROKER-DEALER AFFILIATE
Old City Securities, LLC
Member FINRA/SIPC
Client Perspective
What Our Clients Say
Selected testimonials from current and former clients. Results are not guaranteed, and individual experiences will vary.
Mike Riskind has been the most instrumental, core partner in our capital raising efforts and investor networking since the inception of Flag & Anthem eight years ago. His network of investors is broad and diverse, ranging from high net worth individuals, family offices, to private equity and venture capital firms.
When I was ready to raise money for my start up, Mike Riskind was the first person I called. Mike has a unique ability to listen to and understand your business model, then determine the right buyer and capital structure to get deals done. I have worked with many bankers over the past 30 years and I can confidently say he is one of the best.
Highwood Estate Capital has been instrumental in connecting some of our portfolio companies to key strategic investors, many of whom have emerged into instrumental partners and invested substantial capital. Mike Riskind is extremely thorough, diligent and honest.
Working with Mike Riskind and Highwood Estate Capital has been instrumental to Barsys' success since 2017. His expertise in structuring deals, along with his strategic insight, has proven invaluable in helping us navigate the complex landscape of growth and expansion. I would highly recommend Mike to any business looking for a seasoned investment banker.
Mike Has a Unique Ability to Listen to and Understand Your Business Model, Then Determine the Right Buyer and Capital Structure to Get Deals Done.
Jason Ackerman · Founder, JoyLeaf & FreshDirect
Get in Touch
Start a Conversation
Every engagement begins with a direct conversation with Mike Riskind. Select the path that best describes your situation.
For Companies & Sponsors
Seeking Capital
For founders, fund managers, and real estate sponsors looking to discuss a capital raise or placement engagement.
"*" indicates required fields
For Qualified Investors
Request a Conversation
For accredited investors, family offices, and institutional allocators interested in discussing private market opportunities that may be available, subject to accreditation, suitability, and broker-dealer review.
"*" indicates required fields
Data & Privacy
Privacy Policy & Data Handling
Information We Collect
When you submit an inquiry through this website, we collect the information you provide — including your name, email address, phone number, investor type, and areas of interest. We may also collect standard web analytics data (page visits, browser type) through our hosting provider.
How We Use Your Information
Information submitted through our contact forms is used solely to respond to your inquiry and, where applicable and appropriate, to introduce investment opportunities subject to accreditation, suitability, and broker-dealer review. We do not use your information for automated marketing or sell it to third parties.
Regulatory Recordkeeping
As a registered representative operating through Old City Securities, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, Highwood Estate Capital is subject to FINRA Rule 4511 books-and-records requirements. Certain communications and inquiry submissions may be retained for regulatory compliance purposes. By submitting a form, you acknowledge this retention obligation.
Information Sharing
Your information will not be shared with third parties except: (a) as required by applicable law or regulatory obligation; (b) with Old City Securities, LLC in its capacity as our registered broker-dealer; or (c) with service providers who support our website and communications infrastructure under appropriate confidentiality agreements.
Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect the information you provide through this website. However, no internet transmission is completely secure. We encourage you to exercise caution when submitting sensitive information online and to contact us directly by phone if you prefer.
Your Rights & Contact
You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your information by contacting us at mike@highwoodestatecapital.com or (917) 885-8330. Requests are subject to applicable regulatory retention requirements. This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically; material changes will be reflected on this page.
Important Information
Disclosures & Important Information
Broker-Dealer Relationship
Securities are offered through Old City Securities, LLC, 589 Fifth Avenue, Penthouse, New York, NY 10017, Member FINRA/SIPC. Highwood Estate Capital, LLC operates as a third-party marketing and placement support affiliate of Old City Securities, LLC.
No Investment Advice
This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Any offer or solicitation will be made only through approved offering documents.
Private Placement Risk
Private placements involve significant risks, including illiquidity, the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested, and no guarantee of return. These investments are not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Accreditation & Suitability
Opportunities presented by Highwood Estate Capital are available only to investors who meet applicable accreditation and suitability requirements under federal and state securities laws. All investors are subject to verification prior to receiving offering materials.
Compensation & Conflicts
Highwood Estate Capital, LLC is typically compensated by issuers, sponsors, or managers through success fees, placement fees, or a share of management or performance fees, as disclosed in applicable offering materials. This compensation may create conflicts of interest.
Testimonials
Testimonials are provided by current or former clients. They reflect individual experiences and do not represent a guarantee of future results. No compensation was paid in exchange for these testimonials. Individual results will vary.
Cannabis-Related Investments
Cannabis remains a controlled substance under federal law. Investments in cannabis-related businesses carry unique regulatory, legal, and financial risks. Any such opportunities are subject to additional restrictions and disclosure requirements and are available only where permissible.
Verify Registration
You can verify Michael Riskind's registration through his individual FINRA BrokerCheck Record, and verify Old City Securities, LLC through its Firm BrokerCheck record. We encourage all prospective clients to review this information prior to engaging our services.