Core Insights - Cohen & Company Capital Markets has opened a new office in Houston, aiming to enhance its advisory services in the energy and energy transition sectors following a significant increase in deal flow, closing $44 billion in transactions in 2025 [1][4] Company Expansion - The firm appointed Rahul Jasuja as Head of Energy and Energy Transition, who brings 20 years of investment banking experience, particularly in M&A advisory and capital markets transactions [2] - The Houston office will serve as a hub for energy and energy transition advisory services, focusing on disciplined capital allocation across traditional energy and sustainable solutions [3] Strategic Focus Areas - The Houston office will concentrate on four core verticals: 1. Advising on nuclear, geothermal, and other dispatchable energy platforms to support long-term demand growth 2. Advising companies in critical minerals and technology sectors essential for energy security 3. Supporting sustainable fuels and decarbonization technologies 4. Assisting traditional energy operators with M&A and portfolio evolution strategies [7] Market Positioning - Cohen & Company Capital Markets is recognized as a leading SPAC bank, having led various SPAC IPOs in 2025, and is committed to investing in infrastructure that supports AI, defense, and energy transition [4][5] - The firm emphasizes a high-touch alternative to bulge-bracket banks, focusing on the transition from incubation to industrial scale-up in frontier technology [5] Asset Management Overview - As of September 30, 2025, Cohen & Company managed approximately $1.4 billion in assets, primarily in fixed income across various asset classes, including European bank securities and commercial real estate loans [8] Company Profile - Cohen & Company Capital Markets operates as a full-service boutique investment bank, providing strategic counsel and execution capabilities across M&A advisory, capital markets, and SPAC transactions, with a focus on middle-market and growth companies [9]

Core Insights - Venture Capital investment in frontier technology has increased by 47% year-over-year, driven by AI demand, defense innovations, and industrial automation growth [1][2] - Despite supply chain challenges and economic uncertainty, the frontier tech sector is experiencing significant growth, with strong VC enthusiasm for fundraising [2] Investment Trends - VC fundraising in hardware has reached a 10-year high, with one-third of fundraising dollars allocated to hardware-focused VC funds, up from 20% in 2021 [4] - Total VC investment in defense and aerospace surpassed $4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $12 billion by the end of 2025 [4] - Investment in AI and robotics is increasing, with VCs focusing on AI compute and hardware as generative AI adoption rises [4] Defense Sector Insights - Annual VC investment in defense technology has exceeded the budget for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) since 2019, indicating a shift in funding for defense innovation [4] - More than 50% of frontier tech unicorns have raised funding in the last two years, highlighting the sector's robust fundraising environment [4]