Fluential Partners LLC

Fluential Partners is proud to share that our Founder and Managing Partner, Eric Golden, has been recognized by the Los Angeles Times as one of their Banking & Finance Visionaries for 2026. The recognition highlights several recent milestones for the firm, including closing the first tranche of a multi-hundred-million-dollar financing for a utility-scale solar developer, advising Varni Brothers on its sale to Refresco, and guiding Vino Vault through its acquisition by Uovo. We're honored by the recognition and grateful to the clients and partners who trust us with their most important transactions. https://lnkd.in/gi_c2iwx

We are very excited to announce that Fluential Partners is launching a dedicated Power & Renewables practice. Over the past year, we've found ourselves advising on ~$400M in renewable project financings — utility-scale solar + BESS, residential solar platforms, and EV electrification. These are complex capital structures in an increasingly difficult financing environment: shifting tax credit rules, tariff uncertainty, rising construction costs, and a more selective lending market.  We believe this kind of environment is where Fluential adds the most value. Leading the practice is Hanan Levin, who joins us as a Director. Hanan's background combines finance and operational expertise, making him the ideal person for these sorts of projects.  We're focused on solar + BESS project finance, residential and distributed solar, data center power infrastructure, and EV/electrification. We're already active on multiple mandates across these verticals. If you're building or financing the energy transition, we'd welcome the conversation.

Fluential Partners is delighted to announce that Lee Essner has joined the firm as a Strategic Advisor. Lee has an impressive track record as an entrepreneur, operator and dealmaker. He began his career as a corporate attorney at Skadden Arps, focusing on finance and M&A. He went on to serve as an early employee and senior executive of WeddingChannel (acquired by The Knot), Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Idealab, and founder and CEO of AccessDNA (acquired by Informed Medical Decisions). Most recently, Lee served as Co-CEO of Jukin Media, where he helped scale one of the world’s leading social video and entertainment networks, culminating in its sale to Trusted Media Brands. Lee will advise the firm on companies and industries within his areas of expertise, including digital media and technology.

We’re proud that Fluential Partners was recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal at the 2025 M&A Awards, where our founder, Eric Golden, was named Investment Banker of the Year. A huge thanks to our clients and partners for trusting us with their most important transactions, and to ACG Los Angeles and LABJ for hosting such a great event. #InvestmentBanking #MandA

Fluential is thrilled to announce that Jason Lehmbeck has joined the firm as Senior Advisor. Jason is a successful entrepreneur and CEO, having founded and led disability care startup Undivided and marketing technology startup DataPop, which was acquired by Criteo. He is the Managing Director for the Innovation Hub at Georgetown University’s Thrive Center,  which aims to catalyze and scale new solutions that address the many unmet needs in child and family mental and developmental health. He has been investing in and mentoring entrepreneurs for over a decade. Jason will advise the firm on companies and industries within his areas of expertise, including software/SaaS, marketing technology and healthcare-related services. 

We're publishing a guide for companies facing the prospect of a bank loan default, which is a growing problem. Includes the process, timeline and key deal terms for refinancing.