Top Chicago Independent Sponsors with Recent Private M&A Activity

110

Active Firms

1,689

TTM Deal Inquiries

$5M-$21M

Core Revenue Range

$1M-$4M

Core EBITDA Range

Top Sectors by Activity

Industrials 52%

Healthcare 9%

Transportation 8%

Consumer Goods 8%

Technology 7%

Key Attributes

Focus: Control Investments | Capital Source: Deal-By-Deal Financing | Operating Approach: Scale & Exit

North Park Group LLC

1 Closed Deal via Axial

6 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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About UsNorth Park Group is a team of business leaders focused on acquiring and operating US-based manufacturing and distribution businesses. We are business operators who love to work in small to mid-size businesses. We grew up in manufacturing businesses and feel more comfortable on the shop floor than in the board room.Meet the TeamRyan Sullivan (Managing Director) is a proven CEO with extensive experience in diverse industries, a record of increasing profitability, market share & developing strong management teams. While at CMC, led the turnaround from neutral earnings to double-digit…

Recent Transactions

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Jan 2025 Acquired Arcadia GlassHouse
Sep 2024 Acquired Spill-Stop
Apr 2024 Acquired The Neverleak Company, L.P.
Mar 2024 Acquired Dickey Manufacturing

Eagle Hill Partners

1 Closed Deal via Axial

2 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Eagle Hill Partners is a Chicago-based private investment firm seeking to partner with founder/family-owned businesses where we can leverage our experience, advisory board and professional network to support operational improvements and growth initiatives. Eagle Hill Partners is different from traditional private equity. We contribute long-term capital with flexible investment horizons and structures to provide full or partial liquidity events to ownership. We are supported by an active Advisory Board that includes private equity Partners and former privately-held company executives who…

Recent Transactions

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Nov 2022 Acquired GHC Mechanical
Jul 2021 Acquired Jensen's Plumbing & Heating

Factor89

1 Closed Deal via Axial

1 Total Closed Deal Actively Sourcing Deals

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At Factor89, we specialize in achieving record levels of profitable growth, and return on investment. We employ proven proprietary methodologies, invest in long term relationships at every level, and deliberately enrich the lives of all involved.We can speak definitively to every point above, with data and case studies. We welcome the opportunity to hear your story, tell our story, and explore a partnership with you.

Recent Transactions

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Apr 2024 Acquired Master Magnetics

Taurus Capital Partners

1 Closed Deal via Axial

1 Total Closed Deal

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Taurus Capital Partners represents long-term capital partnership for exceptional, values-driven businesses from experienced operators and investors.Why We Founded the FirmThere has never been more capital available to growing, profitable lower middle market businesses who want to sell. While that is a great dynamic for maximizing value today, it often comes with the hard-to-appreciate, long-term risk of working with investors who think they understand your business better than you do. Entrepreneurs know that all the elements that made their business successful in the first place - incredible…

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2023 Acquired Somersault

Rock Gate Partners, LLC

15 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Rock Gate Partners, LLC ("RGP") invests in lower middle market companies that have created unique market positions, resulting in customer "mind share" leadership and providing the basis for organic growth while offering a platform for acquisitions. RGP partners with management teams and family owners in buyouts, corporate divestitures, recapitalizations, industry consolidations and later stage growth capital investments in companies typically generating $10 to $100 million in revenue. RGP is primarily focused on acquiring companies that design, engineer, market and distribute products or…

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2023 Acquired Purple Arch Ventures
Aug 2023 Acquired Intensity Therapeutics
Aug 2023 Acquired I/D/E/A, Inc.
Aug 2023 Acquired NRG

Traverse Pointe Partners

12 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Traverse Pointe Partners is a private investment firm focused on control investments in lower middle market companies. Our investment professionals, advisory board and operating partners work collectively, offering a unique array of skill-sets and expertise to enhance the value of our platform investments. We partner with strong management teams, providing capital and a level of operational, financial and strategic support to enable organizations in transition to maximize their potential.

Recent Transactions

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Jul 2025 Acquired Windward Way Recovery
Mar 2025 Acquired Soma Therapy
Dec 2024 Acquired Children’s Campus and Premier Children’s Center
Apr 2024 Acquired Three Points Child Care Center

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Bounds Equity Partners

10 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Bounds Equity Partners is a private equity investment firm that invests in well-managed, entrepreneurial businesses with EBITDA in excess of $1 million. The principals of BEP have partnered with entrepreneurs to take their businesses to the next level since 1989. We invest in good businesses and help management build larger, more successful companies. Nearly all of our investment transactions have been with private company entrepreneurs seeking liquidity, who almost always have reinvested with us to share in the future value creation. We are an experienced private equity group; we have…

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2023 Acquired Rocktops Granite & Stone Fabrication
Aug 2023 Acquired Hollinee
Aug 2023 Acquired Torstenson Glass
Aug 2023 Acquired Sportcraft

Ashland Capital Partners

9 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Ashland Capital Partners is a private equity firm that specializes in long-term investments in middle market companies, with a particular focus on founder-owned businesses. The firm engages in recapitalization, buyout, and growth capital investments, leveraging its partnership of family and individual investors. Ashland Capital Partners is committed to enhancing operational efficiency and infrastructure, often involving significant working capital improvements. With a strategic approach, the firm aims to foster growth and profitability in its portfolio companies, which are carefully selected…

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2025 Invested in AFCO Industries
Apr 2024 Acquired Stainless Foundry & Engineering
Jan 2024 Acquired GMI Group
May 2022 Acquired Metaltec Steel Abrasives

Kinsale Capital

8 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Kinsale Capital Partners is a Relationship Based Merchant Bank focused on providing equity solutions to middle market companies located primarily in the U.S.Kinsale invests its own capital, along with co-investment capital provided by Kinsale's proprietary network of co-investors.Rather than limiting its investment focus to a few specific industries, Kinsale focuses on investment situations having one or more of the following critical investment characteristics:The capital need is for growth, restructuring, ownership transition or special situationsThe Company serves a market that is growing,…

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2023 Acquired Malabar International
Aug 2023 Acquired Terminal-Andrae Inc.
Aug 2023 Acquired Dental One, Inc.
Aug 2023 Acquired RF Controls

Woodlawn Partners

7 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Woodlawn Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm that is focused on people, not transactions. Our primary responsibility is to provide stability for employees and customers. Rather than simply replacing a business owner with a new manager, we first become directly involved with a business to educate ourselves and to earn the trust of its people. We then work collaboratively to build a team that can drive self-sustaining growth. We help a business owner to tailor a succession strategy around their personal and financial needs. We take a hands-on approach to shepherding a business…

Recent Transactions

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Jul 2022 Acquired Sheer Logistics
Jan 2021 Acquired Active Roofing
May 2018 Acquired Tighe Logistics
Jun 2017 Acquired BW Manufacturing

Sheridan Hill Partners

6 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Sheridan Hill Partners is an Illinois-based investment and operating firm that partners with established businesses in helping them achieve their next level of growth.We are operational leaders experienced in growing businesses who invest our own personal capital directly, as well as capital from a small network of investors.

Recent Transactions

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Apr 2022 Acquired LCW
Jul 2021 Acquired Cornerstone Support
Jun 2021 Invested in SilverIP Communications
Aug 2019 Acquired FHC Marketing

Clover Capital Partners LLC

5 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Clover Capital Partners is an investment firm focused primarily on the food and beverage industries. Our primary investment approach is the acquisition or control recapitalization of a food/beverage manufacturing, processing or distribution business - with a target size of $1mm to $5mm of EBITDA. Though Clover Growth Partners, we make minority, growth equity investments in emerging CPG brands. We will also look at carve-outs, turnarounds and minority deals in food and beverage related companies. We are industry focused and lifecycle/situationally agnostic.

Recent Transactions

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Feb 2017 Invested in Cleveland Kraut
Jun 2015 Invested in Wilde Brands
Nov 2012 Acquired Jo's Candies
Dec 2011 Invested in Kevita Inc.

Geneva Glen Capital

5 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Founded in 2010, Geneva Glen Capital is a Chicago-based private equity firm that invests in proven private companies with leading market positions, significant growth potential, and stable cash flows. GGC makes control investments and targets companies headquartered in the U.S. or Canada with EBITDA between $2 million and $20 million. The firm works closely with management teams to establish and execute on a clearly defined value creation and growth plan. The principals of GGC have extensive private equity experience and capital backing from family offices and other institutional investors…

Recent Transactions

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Mar 2018 Acquired EZ Shipper Racks
Jun 2016 Invested in Dianne's Fine Desserts
Jun 2016 Invested in Southeastern Home Health Services
Dec 2012 Invested in Playtime

Westbourne Capital Partners

5 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Westbourne Capital Partners is a private investment firm that partners with family offices to deploy capital into direct investments in private companies. A successful track record consulting with, and investing in, family-owned enterprises makes WCP particularly well-suited to invest in family and founder owned businesses in the manufacturing and food sectors, particularly when ownership is concerned about the impact outside investors might have on the business and its stakeholders. WCP is focused on investing in businesses and building shareholder value over the long-term, rather than…

Recent Transactions

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Apr 2026 Acquired Workplace Modular Systems
Sep 2025 Acquired Harvey Vogel Manufacturing Co.
Sep 2024 Acquired Mesotech International
Aug 2020 Invested in Proos Manufacturing

The January 23rd Company

3 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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The January 23rd Company acquires great companies to operate them for the long-run. We also consult owners who want to sell more and operate more efficiently. We are focused on acquiring on technology, B2B services, and tech-enabled businesses. We partner with leading executives, family offices, and investment firms as limited partners on case-by-case investments, based on who is best-suited from an experience and commitment standpoint.

Recent Transactions

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Apr 2019 Acquired Jacobs Marketing Group
Apr 2019 Acquired Dealer121
Apr 2019 Acquired Jacobs Marketing Group

Gar Wood Securities, LLC

2 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals

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Gar Wood Securities Private Capital Group extends the firm’s capital raising efforts to US middle market private companies seeking early stage funding, growth capital, recapitalization or funding for special situations. Via a network of institutional investors, family offices and investment advisors the placement team at Gar Wood is able to provide cost-effective access to capital solutions in an underserved segment of the industry.Industry FocusOur investor base is diverse and therefore enables Gar Wood Private Capital Group to engage clients across many sectors: alternative energy,…

Recent Transactions

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Nov 2025 Advised Confidential Company on an investment from Confidential Company
Nov 2016 Advised DME Express on an investment from Confidential Company

DZS Capital LLC

1 Total Closed Deal Actively Sourcing Deals

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DZS Capital LLC is an independent sponsor focused on identifying, acquiring, and running small to medium sized enterprises. Targeting profitable and growing company that have a proven track record with EBITDA north of $2 million per year and EBITDA margins of 15%+.I bring 20 years of work experience as an accomplished business executive having worked at Verizon, General Mills, Accenture, J&J, and Bayer with extensive experience leading and guiding supply chain, logistics, marketing, finance, manufacturing, and procurement teams within industrial, consulting, consumer goods, consumer…

Recent Transactions

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Feb 2026 Acquired Confidential Company

Trident Equity Group

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Trident Equity Group is a private equity firm that specializes in crafting tailored transition plans for business owners. With a focus on enduring value and a flexible, owner-friendly culture, Trident Equity Group is backed by committed capital and experienced operators. The firm is dedicated to ensuring long-term business growth and success for its clients. Trident Equity Group operates with a strategic approach, managing a portfolio of 10 companies, and is known for its emphasis on aligning with the values and priorities of business owners during transitions.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

N3 Capital Management

Actively Sourcing Deals

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N3 Capital Management is a private investment firm based in Chicago, IL. We focus on acquiring or investing flexible capital solutions into lower middle-market businesses in the United States.We partner with entrepreneurs, families, other investors and management teams to transition and scale companies in the industrial/manufacturing, consumer, and business services sectors.Within real estate, we partner with asset owners, developers, and lenders who are seeking creative and flexible non-control capital solutions.When acquiring a majority stake in a company, we bring a hands-on, long-term…

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Expedition Capital Partners

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Expedition Capital Partners (“ECP”) is a private equity investment firm focused on partnering with experienced operators to acquire and grow businesses in the middle and lower middle markets. ECP seeks to acquire or invest in private businesses that have demonstrated a history of positive cash flow where it can employ its operating partners in senior management roles to implement a specific growth thesis tailored to each situation. Since inception, ECP has acquired 35 companies across six core platform investments.The firm's primary goals are to:Partner with successful business…

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

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Firms in the Chicago Independent Sponsors directory are ordered based on recent deal activity on Axial. The default order reflects observed market signals rather than a subjective ranking of firm quality.

Each profile provides information about the firm’s areas of focus, transaction criteria, and relevant activity on Axial’s M&A platform. Together, these details provide a clearer view of where a firm is active and the types of companies and opportunities most relevant for it.

Based on activity on Axial’s M&A platform, the core revenue range for Chicago Independent Sponsors is $5M-$21M, with a core EBITDA range of $1M-$4M. Company size can be an important indicator of fit, as firms often concentrate their experience, resources, and transaction activity within particular segments of the market.

Location can be an important consideration, but it does not necessarily define where a firm is active. Firms based in Chicago may bring regional knowledge, local relationships, and experience with businesses in the area, while many also pursue opportunities across a broader geographic footprint. Geography is best considered alongside sector focus, company size, and relevant transaction activity.

Not necessarily. A firm’s location does not always define its geographic reach. Many Independent Sponsors based in Chicago are active across multiple regions, while firms based elsewhere may also participate in the Chicago market. Location can provide useful context, but it should not be interpreted as a firm’s geographic boundary.

When comparing Independent Sponsors in Chicago, consider factors such as sector focus, size range, and recent transaction activity. These characteristics vary across the 110 firms included in the directory and can help identify firms that align with your needs.

Axial can help you identify and connect with firms based on your objectives and what you are looking to accomplish. The process varies depending on your role and transaction needs. If you are interested in connecting with firms in the Chicago Independent Sponsors directory, you can request information here.

Top Chicago Independent Sponsors

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