Polymarket Hired Goldman Sachs Partner for Growth
The prediction platform is recruiting traditional finance veterans to attract more institutional liquidity.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Investing
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Polymarket has hired Lisa Mantil as its new head of institutional growth to help transition the platform toward larger institutional investment strategies. Mantil joins the company after a 30-year career at Goldman Sachs.
Why it matters
By bringing on executives with deep experience in traditional finance, the platform aims to shift its focus from a retail-only model to one capable of supporting large, privately negotiated block trades. This expansion is designed to change the liquidity profile of the exchange for professional market participants.
The new head of institutional growth brings 30 years of experience from Goldman Sachs to the platform. This move follows the company's U.S. exchange launch in May 2026 and the hiring of a new chief financial officer in September 2026.
The players
Lisa Mantil
The new head of institutional growth at Polymarket who previously spent 30 years as a partner at Goldman Sachs.
Warren Jenson
The chief financial officer at Polymarket responsible for financial strategy and growth oversight.
Polymarket
A prediction market platform currently expanding its services to include institutional-grade trading tools.
Goldman Sachs
A global investment bank that provides financial services and manages assets for institutional and individual clients.
Kalshi
A federally regulated exchange that allows users to trade on the outcome of future events.
The details
Polymarket is actively building infrastructure to facilitate large, privately negotiated block trades, a standard tool in traditional financial markets. By hiring executives like Lisa Mantil and CFO Warren Jenson, the firm is attempting to bridge the gap between prediction markets and the liquidity needs of institutional investors. This strategy mirrors the activity of competitors like Kalshi, which completed its own block trade in April 2026.
Timeline
April 2026: Kalshi completed its first block trade.
May 2026: Polymarket launched its U.S. exchange.
May 2026: Polymarket international platform conducted its first block trade.
September 2026: Polymarket hired Lisa Mantil and Warren Jenson.
Money Landscape
This appointment signals a pivot toward professionalizing the platform's liquidity structures following its U.S. entry earlier this year. It follows a broader industry trend where prediction markets are actively competing with traditional venues for institutional participation.
The shift toward institutional-grade trading tools may result in higher liquidity and more complex market options on the platform. Investors should consult with a qualified financial professional before engaging with speculative markets, as these carry different risk profiles than traditional securities.
The takeaway
The platform is attempting to move beyond retail participation by adopting the staffing and trading mechanisms of major financial institutions. Investors should monitor how these structural changes affect platform liquidity and risk management before committing capital.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving nature of alternative asset classes in our Investing section.
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