Dov has more than 20 year experience as senior executive, investor, advisor and board member in companies across multiple industries and different growth phases. Most recently, his focus has been in the emerging medical and adult use cannabis industry, where he has several significant investments including High Times, BDS Analytics, LoudPack Inc. and Econnabis SAS. Other portfolio companies include a company focused on consolidation and rollups in the healthcare space; a HealthTech startup; a Fintech company in the customer acquisition/validation and payments processing space; a lease-to-own company serving the ride-sharing / Transportation Network Companies; a private student lender; and a leading multinational manufacturer of flexible packaging products in Bogota, Colombia.
In 2001, he co-founded Star Auto Finance, a company providing financing for the purchase of cars for consumers with limited or poor credit histories. In 2007, he led the merger of Star with two other companies to form AFS Acceptance, which he served as CEO until 2017. During the 16 years, he steered the company through various credit cycles, a successful turnaround and a complete business model transformation that included transitioning from a lender in a single state, to a national lender in over 30 states. In 2010, he structured a spinoff and leveraged buy-out of AFS’ other two operating partners, resulting in consolidation of full ownership and control of the business. In 2015, he negotiated a strategic sale of AFS to Credito Real SAB de CV, Mexico’s largest non-bank financial institution listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange.
Prior to founding AFS Acceptance, he was a Director of Business Development for GovWorks, Inc. was an internet start-up in the e-government sector, whose story was documented in the film Startup.com. Mr. Szapiro started his career in equity research before moving to private equity. Mr. Szapiro graduated from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Dov has been a member of the Miami Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization since 2006. Dov lives in North Miami Beach with wife Daryl and 3 children; Sam, Alex and Jake.
