Don Sanders
Founder
Get their honest, personalized take on your startup.
Sign in to pitch Don →At a glance
- Full Name
- Don A. Sanders
- Title
- Founder
- Firm
- Sanders Morris
- Firm Type
- Angel/individual investor; privately owned broker-dealer/RIA and private-equity investor
- Investment Stage
- Seed; private/growth equity
- Target Company Profile
- Exceptional management teams with a clear vision and meaningful ownership alignment
- Sector Focus
- Financial services, private equity, sports, entertainment, mobile commerce/POS, wealth management
- Geographic Focus
- United States, with strong Houston/Texas concentration
- Location
- Houston, Texas
Background
Don A. Sanders is the founder of Sanders Morris, a Houston-based financial services firm founded in 1987. The firm says Sanders Morris grew out of E.F. Hutton & Co.; Don Sanders had been one of E.F. Hutton’s largest producers before founding Sanders Morris with Ben Morris and John Mundy shortly after the 1987 market crash.
Before starting Sanders Morris, Sanders worked at E.F. Hutton & Co. from 1959 to 1987, including service as Executive Vice President from 1982 to 1987 and as a director. University of Houston System records describe him as having more than 40 years of securities-industry experience and list roles including vice chairman of Sanders Morris Harris Inc., SMH Capital Inc., and The Edelman Financial Group Inc.
Sanders earned a BBA from Sam Houston State University and an MBA from the University of Texas. He also served as a University of Houston System regent and has held civic and nonprofit roles tied to the Houston Police Foundation, Nolan Ryan Foundation, DePelchin Children’s Center, Childress Foundation, Houston Symphony, and other Houston-area organizations.
Outside finance, Sanders is closely associated with baseball and sports investing. He was a minority owner of the Houston Astros beginning in 1979 and later co-founded Ryan Sanders Baseball with Nolan Ryan and Reid Ryan; the organization owns and operates minor-league baseball properties including the Round Rock Express.
Investment Thesis & Focus
- Sanders Morris describes its core philosophy as “Investment in Common”: the firm and principals invest alongside clients “on the same terms and conditions” where suitable.
- The firm’s private-equity page says it partners with “exceptional management teams who have a clear vision defining success and a vested interest - ownership - in growing the business.”
- Sanders’ public angel profile lists him as an angel/individual investor focused on seed-stage opportunities in sports, investment management, mobile, software, media, and entertainment.
- The best-supported pattern is relationship-driven investing, especially where Sanders can bring operating, financial-services, or sports-industry relationships.
- No verified personal check-size range was found.
Notable Investments
- Bypass Mobile / Bypass Lane: Sports and entertainment mobile-commerce/POS platform; Don Sanders was named in the investor group for a $1.75 million financing announced in 2011.
- Athletes Unlimited Softball League: Strategic investor group announced June 4, 2026, including Don Sanders, Nolan Ryan, Reid Ryan, Ryan Sanders Baseball, and Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio.
- Ryan Sanders Baseball: Co-founded by Don Sanders with Nolan and Reid Ryan; owns/operates baseball properties including the Round Rock Express.
- Houston Astros: Sanders was a minority owner of the MLB club beginning in 1979.
- Waste Management, Inc.: Listed by Sanders Morris as a major investment by the firm, its principals, affiliates, and/or clients.
- Main Street Capital: Listed by Sanders Morris as a major investment by the firm, its principals, affiliates, and/or clients.
- Salient Partners, LP: Sanders Morris acquired 50% of Salient Partners and an affiliate for $10 million in 2003 and sold its interest in 2008 for more than $100 million.
- Edelman Financial, LLC: Sanders Morris acquired a majority position and sold Edelman Financial Services in 2015 for $850 million.
- Synergy CHC Corp.: A March 31, 2024 modification agreement names Sanders Morris Harris LLC and Don A. Sanders in connection with senior subordinated debentures and a Don Sanders note.
Unlock the full research
Get how to approach them, recent activity, sources, contact links — plus pitch their AI twin for a candid read on your raise.
One-time. Stays unlocked for you.