Global Investment Firm D2 Launches Out of Dallas With Over $1B in Assets Under Management

Founded by industry veterans Ben and Luke Doramus, D2 Asset Management said it aims to generate "compelling returns" for its partners across real assets, specialty finance, and structured credit.

Dallas-based D2 Asset Management has launched as a global investment firm specializing in credit, hybrid, and special situation investments. It begins operations with more than $1 billion in assets under management, the firm said.

D2 was founded by Ben Doramus and Luke Doramus, whose decades of experience include partnerships at H/2 Capital Partners and TowerBrook Capital Partners, among other firms, as well as posts at Deutsche Bank. The firm said it aims to generate “compelling returns” for its partners across real assets, specialty finance, and structured credit.

Strategic Partnership with Koch Real Estate Investments

Launching in a strategic partnership with Dallas-based Koch Real Estate Investments (KREI), D2 said it’s  currently evaluating “a host of compelling investment opportunities and strategies.”

“We’re excited and fortunate to launch D2 with one another, leveraging the skill sets we have developed independently during our careers,” Ben and Luke Doramus said in a joint statement. “We also couldn’t ask for a more like-minded partner than Koch Real Estate Investments. We look forward to expanding D2 alongside other extraordinary colleagues and investors that we plan to bring on board in the coming months.”

KREI President Jake Francis said the relationship with D2 is a good match.

“Our partnership with D2 aligns well with KREI’s strategy of collaborating with best-in-class management teams and providing flexible capital solutions,” Francis said in a statement. “Ben and Luke’s approach to relative value while navigating complex investments through various market cycles and asset classes is impressive. We believe this strategic partnership will create significant value and we look forward to supporting D2’s growth and success.”

Investment approach, expertise, and backing

D2 said its investment strategy combines asset-based finance with public and private credit investing across a diverse range of assets, markets, and operating companies. The firm said that central to its philosophy is a commitment to providing innovative and flexible capital solutions with a focus on long-term partnerships.

Ben Doramus brings 24 years of experience in principal investing to D2, with a focus on real estate-related credit markets. Previously, he was partner and managing director at H/2 Capital Partners and head of CRE principal trading for North America at Deutsche Bank.

Luke Doramus has nearly two decades of experience as a principal investor across alternative assets, the firm said. Previously, he was partner and managing director at TowerBrook Capital Partners and was partner and portfolio manager at LibreMax Capital. Before LibreMax, he was a trader on the Structured Products trading desk at Deutsche Bank.

Koch Real Estate Investments focuses on attractive risk-adjusted capital deployment into real estate assets and operating companies with an agnostic approach to product, geography, and capital position. Since 2003, Koch companies have invested more than $168 billion in growth and improvements. It has a presence in more than 50 countries, and Koch companies employ about 120,000 people worldwide, with nearly half of those in the United States.

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