About Zenith Capital
Bridging the gap between financial theory and practical investing
Our Mission
"To equip investment professionals with powerful analytical tools that transform complex data into actionable insights, driving better decisions and superior returns."
Our Story
Zenith Capital Advisors was founded in 2023 by Max Schmitt, drawing on his formative experiences across both private and public equity markets. After witnessing firsthand the limitations of existing financial models – either overly simplistic or unnecessarily complex – Max recognized the need for analytical tools that balanced mathematical rigor with practical usability.
Our approach combines rigorous quantitative methods with practical investment experience. We believe that the most effective models are those that provide transparency into key drivers and assumptions, allowing investment professionals to exercise their judgment with better information.
What sets Zenith apart is our commitment to creating tools that aren't just technically sound but are genuinely useful in real-world investment settings. Our models strip away unnecessary detail while preserving the sophisticated analysis needed for informed decision-making. We focus on making the important variables clear and actionable, rather than hiding them behind layers of complexity.
Today, Zenith serves clients ranging from boutique real estate investment firms to global asset managers, providing both standardized models that save countless development hours and bespoke solutions tailored to specific investment strategies.
Our Values
Analytical Rigor
We believe that sound decisions begin with thorough analysis. Our work is grounded in quantitative precision and careful attention to detail, ensuring every model delivers reliable insights.
Client Partnership
We view our client relationships as long-term partnerships. We succeed when you succeed, and we're committed to your continued investment performance beyond any single project.
Continuous Innovation
The investment landscape is constantly evolving, and so are we. We continuously refine our methodologies and incorporate new approaches to stay ahead of market trends.
Our Leadership
Max Schmitt
Founder & CEO
Max brings over a decade of experience across public and private equity investing, with a track record of identifying transformative investment opportunities and executing complex analytical frameworks. At Macquarie Group, he led research and underwriting for major M&A transactions including the $140 billion Warner Bros/Discovery merger and Unity's $4.4 billion ironSource acquisition. His prescient investment call on AppLovin at $10 per share in December 2022—when consensus estimates were negative—proved remarkably accurate as the stock surpassed $500 in 2024, delivering a 50x return in 24 months. Prior to Macquarie, Max was a senior associate on Evercore ISI's #1 Institutional Investor ranked insurance research team, where he covered 29 global insurance companies and spearheaded industry analysis during critical market events.
Before his Wall Street career, Max underwrote and managed over $1 billion in commercial real estate transactions across office, industrial, and multifamily sectors. This unique combination of public markets expertise and private equity experience enables Zenith to deliver institutional-grade analytical solutions for its clients. Max holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and dual Master's degrees in Entrepreneurship and Real Estate from the University of Florida. Max previously completed FINRA Series 7, 63, 86, 87, & SIE licensure and passed the CFA Level 1 exam in the 90th percentile.
Gediminas Bulota
Senior Advisor
Gediminas brings extensive experience in real estate development and construction management, currently serving as Managing Partner at North Park Ventures Florida. His career spans complex project oversight and strategic development initiatives, where he has managed project teams, navigated municipal approvals, and delivered successful project turnovers. He has consulted on high-profile developments throughout Florida with a combined value exceeding $200 million, including the first Class A office building in Miami Beach, branded as the Starwood Headquarters.
Prior to his real estate career, Gediminas spearheaded international technology-based expansions, advising Fortune 500 clients including Bosch on strategic growth initiatives. This unique combination of technology sector experience and real estate development expertise provides Zenith with valuable perspectives on both operational excellence and strategic project execution. Gediminas holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida.
Matthew Yance
Senior Advisor
Matthew brings extensive expertise in real estate finance and valuation, currently serving as Director of Finance at Heartland America, where he leads financial strategy for a portfolio of faith-sponsored senior care communities. He is spearheading the financial infrastructure for Heartland's ambitious expansion of 25 additional senior care facilities nationwide, building on the firm's successful development of 19 communities totaling 1.2 million square feet over 25 years. Prior to Heartland, Matthew served as Executive Vice President at Newmark Valuation & Advisory and later as Director at Cushman & Wakefield, where he led the national Senior Housing specialty practice and oversaw complex valuations for healthcare and senior housing assets across the country.
Throughout his career, Matthew has advised institutional clients on senior housing feasibility studies, site selection, appraisal reviews, and entrance fee continuing care retirement communities. His expertise spans medical office buildings, age-restricted apartments, and congregate senior housing assets, with additional experience providing expert witness testimony in property tax appeals. This specialized knowledge in healthcare real estate valuation and development finance provides Zenith with unique insights into one of the fastest-growing sectors in commercial real estate.
Our Expertise
Private Equity
- Real estate acquisition modeling
- LBO and buyout analysis
- Waterfall distribution models
- Portfolio performance tracking
- Due diligence frameworks
Our private equity experience drives rigorous, yet practical solutions for investment decision-making.
Public Equity
- Discounted cash flow analysis
- Integrated 3-statement modeling
- Relative valuation frameworks
- Scenario and sensitivity analysis
- Portfolio attribution models
Our public markets experience delivers institutional-quality tools for sophisticated equity analysis.