# Mike Balkin

> Mike Balkin is the Chicago-based chief executive officer and chairman of Horizon Technology Finance Corporation. A Northwestern graduate and former William Blair small-cap portfolio manager, he has also held leadership roles at Magnetar Investment Management and Foresight Acquisition Corp., and advises businesses and investment organizations.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and Chairman at Horizon Technology Finance Corporation
- **Organizations:** Horizon Technology Finance Corporation, Horizon Technology Finance Management LLC, William Blair, Magnetar Investment Management, Foresight Acquisition Corp., Wasson Enterprise, Rail-Splitter Micro Cap Rebound Fund, Good Sports, Cityview Associates, Affluence Corporation, Innventure
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts, Northwestern University
- **Known for:** Co-launched William Blair’s Small Cap Growth Fund in 1999., Appointed CEO of Horizon Technology Finance following two years on its board., Served as Good Sports chairman in its 2022 annual report and as Chicago advisory board chairman in its 2024 report.

## Career timeline

- **1978–1981** — Listed as a Northwestern men’s tennis letter winner.
- **Before William Blair** — Held roles at First Chicago and Bankers Trust and co-founded real estate firm Cityview Associates.
- **1999** — Started William Blair’s Small Cap Growth Fund with Karl Brewer and Mark Fuller.
- **2005–2008** — Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Magnetar Investment Management.
- **2010–2020** — Partner and portfolio manager at William Blair.
- **2021** — Chief Executive Officer of Foresight Acquisition Corp.; began advising Wasson Enterprise.
- **2023** — Joined Horizon’s board as an independent director in June; Horizon biography identifies him as a Rail-Splitter principal since 2023.
- **2024** — Joined Affluence Corporation’s board in October; ceased serving as an Innventure director in October.
- **2025** — Became Horizon CEO effective June 5.
- **2026** — May proxy identifies Balkin as Horizon chairman and CEO; Horizon completed its Monroe Capital Corporation merger in April.

## Achievements

- Co-launched William Blair’s Small Cap Growth Fund in 1999.
- Appointed CEO of Horizon Technology Finance following two years on its board.
- Served as Good Sports chairman in its 2022 annual report and as Chicago advisory board chairman in its 2024 report.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Horizon’s RoHo joint venture provided NeoVolta a $20 million senior credit facility, expandable to $30 million by mutual agreement.
- **2026-08** — Horizon reported a $676.7 million investment portfolio and $6.23 net asset value per share at June 30; Balkin discussed portfolio growth and losses tied to one borrower.
- **2026-04** — Horizon completed its merger with Monroe Capital Corporation, receiving approximately $141.1 million in cash.
- **2026-03** — Horizon and CR Financial Holdings announced a joint venture with $100 million in initial capital commitments.

## Links

- Website: https://horizontechfinance.com/team/leadership/michael-p-balkin/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-balkin-71a53a158

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