# Matt Norton

> Matt Norton is the Chicago-area founder and CEO of Watch Point Capital, a lower middle market private equity firm focused on national security, government technology and adjacent public sector markets. He previously spent more than 20 years at Madison Dearborn Partners, most recently as Partner and Head of Technology & Government, and has served on company and nonprofit boards across software, aerospace, education and the investment community.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Watch Point Capital
- **Organizations:** Watch Point Capital, Madison Dearborn Partners, Merrill Lynch, National Security Space Association, Illinois Venture Capital Association, City Year Chicago
- **Education:** B.S., The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, MBA, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
- **Known for:** Named one of eight MDP partners supporting the new managing partner in September 2024., Founded Watch Point Capital after more than 20 years at MDP., Career board service across 19 companies, including three public companies, according to The Aerospace Event biography.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Worked as an investment banking analyst at Merrill Lynch before joining MDP.
- **2004** — Joined the Madison Dearborn Partners team.
- **2020** — Represented MDP’s investing team in the announced AEVEX Aerospace acquisition partnership with CoVant.
- **2022** — As MDP sector head, commented on the announced strategic majority investment in Unison.
- **2023** — Commented on SpiderOak’s Series C financing and MDP’s acquisition of T2S Solutions.
- **2024** — Named an MDP partner and joined the NSSA board.
- **2026** — Identified in current event biographies as founder and CEO of Watch Point Capital; David Pequet announced joining as Co-Founder & COO.

## Achievements

- Named one of eight MDP partners supporting the new managing partner in September 2024.
- Founded Watch Point Capital after more than 20 years at MDP.
- Career board service across 19 companies, including three public companies, according to The Aerospace Event biography.
- Served on nonprofit boards including NSSA, IVCA and City Year Chicago.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Current public biographies identify Norton as CEO of Watch Point Capital. Recently indexed LinkedIn activity records the firm’s launch and David Pequet’s announced role as Co-Founder & COO; exact announcement dates are not established.
- **2026-03** — Nasdaq published a conversation with Kristina Ayanian on his background, defense technology investing, AI and management partnerships on March 9.
- **2025-12** — Commented on Axonis emerging from stealth and appointing Todd Barr as CEO.
- **2025-07** — Was a keynote speaker at the NSSA Space Investors Forum in Arlington, Virginia.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-norton-b82609ab

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/matt-norton
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-10