Steve Latkovic

Steve Latkovic is a co-founder of Lubav Ventures with nearly 30 years of experience working across finance, law, operations, and venture building. Much of his career has centered on helping businesses navigate defining moments: raising growth capital, buying or selling companies, restructuring balance sheets, and establishing the financial and governance foundations required for scale.

For nearly 15 years, Steve grew, and eventually served as Managing Partner of, Candlewood Partners, an investment bank advising middle-market businesses, private equity sponsors, and management teams on M&A, capital formation, and special situations. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Candlewood Securities, its FINRA-registered broker-dealer. In 2026, he stepped away from Candlewood to focus on the growth of Lubav Ventures and to take more active operating and leadership roles in its portfolio companies.

Steve co-founded and serves as CFO of Backrs, which helps young people build stronger futures, and BetterBrain Health, which aims to make dementia an 'orphan disease.' He also co-founded and serves as President of All Flourish, a 501(c)3 empowering under-resourced students.

He has been a long-time investor across real estate and private equity, and is active in various board and advisor roles. Earlier in his career, he worked in real estate capital markets at CBRE, practiced corporate law at McDonald Hopkins, and began in assurance at PwC.