Nick Piazza
Investing in business and community
With nearly 20 years of professional experience in the business and finance world, Nick has helped to create a robust network of small businesses, investments groups, and advisory groups throughout the United States, Ukraine, and Georgia. He started his financial career at a leading Ukrainian investment company, Concorde Capital, where he grew through his role in sales, ultimately leading to his role as Research and Corporate Finances coordinator.
In 2008, Nick joined BG Capital, an investment arm of Bank of Georgia and it’s banking operations. As its CEO Nick led the company towards distinction in both Ukraine and Georgia in terms of IPOs and private placements – becoming a leader in both areas of investment. The firm was recognized as the Best Investment Bank in Central and Eastern Europe by Euromoney.
Nick was also invited to the board of BG Bank, the Ukrainian branch of Bank of Georgia Group, where he worked on the restructuring of the bank’s corporate portfolio and the launch of its Private Wealth Management business.
In 2011 Nick started his own business by establishing the investment advisory firm SP Advisors, which grew into a niche player in the region, advising several key clients on investments in Ukraine and Georgia.
As business expanded, Nick co founded a private investment vehicle, SP Capital Management. This investment mechanism took over the management of the existing SP Advisors clients and assets as well as the future business (clients and assets) of SP Management. Additionally, SP Capital Management oversees Nick’s personal business assets and investments, as well as those of his family and partners.
Establishing SP Capital Management marked a growing focus to own direct investments. Examples include investments in agriculture, consumer retail, food services, insurance, IT development, outdoor recreation, shipping, as well as distressed public debt investments in Ukraine and Georgia. In 2020 SP Capital Management established their first brick and mortar investment in the United States, with the purchase of Sleeping Giant Ski Area and Zipline in Cody Wyoming.
Industry acknowledgements include being named as one of the Top 25 Trailblazing Business Leaders (2016) and included on list of Wealthiest and Most Influential Expats (2012) by influential Ukrainian media Kyiv Post.
Today Nick works primarily in the United States operating from his hometown of Cody, WY where he lives together with his beloved wife, son and daughter. Since 2014 Nick has supported Ukrainians in their fight against Russian occupants.
Key assets
- SP Capital Management (SPCM) – is a private investment fund, established by Nick Piazza, his family, and partners. SPCM is focused on investments in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe, primarily Ukraine and Georgia, as well as the United States. The fund invests in agriculture, consumer retail, food services, insurance, IT development, outdoor recreation and shipping, as well as distressed public debts.
- SP Advisors – is an investment company, specializing in business consulting, asset management, and investment banking in emerging Eastern European markets (primarily Ukraine and Georgia). Since 2011 the company has grown into a niche player in the region, advising several key clients on investments, including the Canadian Government’s Canada-Ukraine Trade and Investment Support Program, the US-Ukrainian energy company ‘Energy Resources of Ukraine’ and multiple western investment institutions, as well as family offices. Additionally, SP Advisors has built a successful track record in helping regional companies attract financing from western institutions. The group’s key clients include Silknet (Georgia’s largest internet and Telecom provider), TBC Bank (the largest bank in the Republic of Georgia), Obolon (one of Ukraine’s leading breweries), Galnaftogaz (among Ukraine’s largest fuel retailers), and Astarta (Ukraine’s largest sugar producer).
- SP Management – a consulting company that provides a full suite of professional services, including entity registration and advising. These services provide tools for everyday business operations, including business administration, accounting, tax filing, legal consultation, and tax advising. SP Management supports clients in United States and is based in Cody, Wyoming.
Key investments
- Sleeping Giant – – a community ski resort in northwest Wyoming, located only a few miles from the eastern boundary of Yellowstone National Park. It’s location is unlike any other and the resort supports a vibrant and growing winter recreation economy in Cody, Wyoming and the surrounding region. The resort itself hosts a wide range of ski terrain, tubing parks, terrain parks, ski and snowboard school, as well as food and lodging accommodations.
- Other portfolio investments include agriculture, retail, insurance services, consumer retail, food services, IT development, outdoor recreation, shipping, as well as distressed public debts.
Charity
Since the start of full-scale Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Nick, his partners, and friends in Wyoming have supported Ukraine by taking in refugees, donating, and through contributions of military and humanitarian aid. In particular, Nick funded those willing to join the Ukrainian Foreign Legion in fight against Russia. Via Nick’s initiative, Sleeping Giant Ski Area & Zipline provided “fundraising Saturdays” with 100% of ticket sales proceeds going to the Ukrainian Army. The resort also launched a “Mountain Therapy” program for Ukrainians that have been displaced by the war.