Goldman Sachs has hired Brian Cayne, a co-founder of boutique tech bank Qatalyst Partners. He will serve as global co-head of the firm’s software investment banking group, according to people familiar with the move.
Cayne is set to join the Wall Street bank in January. Sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the hire. He will be based in San Francisco and will co-lead the group with Joe Porter in London and Jason Rowe in New York.
In this role, Cayne will report to Barry O’Brien and Jung Min. They currently lead Goldman’s technology, media, and telecom investment banking group. A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs declined to comment.
Long Track Record in Tech Advisory
Cayne spent fifteen years at Qatalyst Partners before leaving in twenty twenty three. During that time, he helped build the firm into a leading adviser in the technology sector. He joined Qatalyst in two thousand eight as part of the founding team led by veteran banker Frank Quattrone.
As a result, his hire highlights Goldman’s push to strengthen its advisory business in software. The sector remains one of the most competitive and profitable areas in investment banking.
Goldman’s Strong Position in Tech Deals
Goldman Sachs ranked first globally in technology mergers and acquisitions in twenty twenty five by deal value. According to LSEG data, the bank advised on deals worth three hundred thirty-seven point eight billion dollars. That gave it a market share of forty-two point five percent.
This year, the bank worked on several major transactions. These included the fifty-six point five billion dollar leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts and Alphabet’s thirty-two billion dollar purchase of cloud security firm Wiz.
Focus on Talent and AI Growth
Cayne’s arrival signals Goldman’s intent to compete aggressively for senior talent. At the same time, the bank aims to secure large software and technology deals. This effort also aligns with its broader focus on artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, Goldman is reshaping its technology, media, and telecom group. According to an internal memo previously seen by Reuters, the bank is reorganizing around infrastructure and AI-driven deals.
As part of that plan, Goldman merged its telecom and CoreTech teams. It then created two new groups named Global Infrastructure Technology and Global Internet and Media.
