Greg Warnock is an entrepreneur, investor, and mentor with over four decades of experience in launching, scaling, and guiding businesses across a variety of sectors. He is the co-founder and managing director of Mercato Partners, a growth capital firm focused on helping expansion-stage companies to scale. Through a disciplined approach built on operator experience, governance, and value creation through strong networks, he collaborates closely with company founders to improve market strategies, expand leadership, and unlock new market opportunities.
Mercato Partners' portfolio includes companies in technology, healthcare, consumer services, and other fast-growing sectors. By 2020, the firm had reported more than $5 billion in exits, demonstrating a strong track record of success.
Greg also co-founded Savory Funds, a buyout and growth platform focused on the food and beverage industry. This platform supports emerging restaurant brands by providing operational experience, targeted capital deployment, and access to a vast network of operators. Under his guidance, the firm has played a role in developing some of the country’s fastest-growing restaurant concepts. It has contributed to improving unit economics, expanding into multiple locations, refining supply chains and site selection, and protecting brand culture during rapid growth. The platform has become a recognized accelerator for early-stage restaurant businesses in the U.S.
Earlier in his investment journey, he co-founded vSpring Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on information technology and life sciences. As managing director, he helped shape the firm into a key early-stage investor in the Rocky Mountain region. vSpring supported transformative companies and provided mentorship to founders building scalable ventures. It later merged with Canopy Ventures to form Signal Peak Ventures, continuing its focus on innovation and early-stage growth.
Greg's experience extends into the public markets as well. He served as chairman and CEO of Mercato Partners Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: MPRA), a special-purpose acquisition company that went public in 2023. Under his leadership, the company finalized a business combination with Nuvini Corporation, a SaaS platform based in Brazil. This transaction broadened his international reach and demonstrated his ability to lead complex, cross-border public deals.
Founding Businesses and M&A Experience
In the earlier part of his career, he founded and led businesses in technology, biotechnology, marketing, and consumer products. Often acting as a technical founder, he developed products, built teams, and guided businesses from startup through commercial progress.
He has also been directly involved in more than 20 mergers and acquisitions. These experiences gave him deep insights into assessing markets, managing transactions, and leading companies through periods of transformation, growth, and exit planning.
Entrepreneurship Education and Mentorship
In 2008, he established Junto Partners, a program focused on entrepreneurship education. Its mission is to prepare aspiring founders with the tools, knowledge, and guidance needed to address the challenges of building and scaling a company. Through this initiative, he has supported many entrepreneurs, continuing his dedication to advancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Philanthropy and Community Leadership
Greg co-founded and served as chairman of the Community Foundation of Utah, an organization working to strengthen charitable giving in the state. Through this role, he has contributed to programs supporting education, entrepreneurship, and community development by connecting donors with impactful causes.
Education
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Utah. He later earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and a PhD in Entrepreneurship and Venture Finance, also from the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business. This academic background has complemented his practical experience, providing a strong foundation in venture finance, leadership, and entrepreneurial strategy.
Awards and Recognition
His work has earned him recognition for leadership and support of business communities. He has received honors such as Utah Business Mentor of the Year and Ernst & Young's Supporter of Entrepreneurship Award. He has been named one of Utah Business’s Outstanding Directors.
Personal Interests
Outside of business, he is actively involved in motorsports and outdoor activities. He enjoys restoring and collecting muscle cars and participates in racing. He is a licensed pilot and also enjoys boating, motorcycling, and paragliding. These interests reflect the hands-on energy and determination that have influenced both his personal and professional pursuits.
Greg Warnock continues to apply his experience and knowledge across industries, guiding businesses, supporting founders, and contributing to entrepreneurial and community development.
