We are growth equity, for good. We combine impact investment and operational experience to boost profitable businesses to their next level of success in a post-Covid world. At UpperStage.Capital, we get excited by companies that are trying to make the world a better place. We look for companies that are impactful in community, sustainability, or wellness.
Ascendis Partners is a dynamic investment platform focused on creating sustainable value by identifying and acquiring high-potential businesses across North America. Our strategy targets companies with strong operational foundations in select industries, including manufacturing, distribution, and services, that are poised for growth through strategic investments, operational improvements, and market expansion.We specialize in partnering with family-owned businesses and closely-held companies where owners are seeking an exit due to retirement or succession challenges. With a dedicated and…
Searching to purchase or invest in businesses with:- Long term hold strategy- Valuation $2-$100 million- EBITDA >$1.5 million- EBITDA margins >20%- Geographic dominance or extreme customer loyalty
Forge Equity Partners is a private investment firm founded by two experienced executives who share a common vision for growing companies and complimentary experience investing in and operating businesses. Forge pursues platform investments in companies that range in size from $2-6M of EBITDA, and draws on the partners' operational and leadership experience to grow businesses through investment in people, processes, technology, systems, expanded operations, and strategic acquisitions. Forge takes a long-term view in building businesses with the intent to hold and grow businesses for 10+…
Timoneer Strategic Partners is a private investment firm that makes control and minority investments in profitable, closely held lower- and middle-market businesses. We strategically partner with companies and operators to build exceptional businesses and brands.Timoneer takes pride in being a value-added partner and building enduring relationships with its portfolio companies and management teams. Our team at Timoneer has spent significant time affecting both operational / organic growth initiatives, along with inorganic buy-and-build strategies, for numerous family and entrepreneur owned…
Our essence extends beyond the individual—it’s a celebration of ‘we.’ Our culture places humanity at the forefront, embodying a profound people-centric philosophy. We believe in the collective strength of individuals who not only share our core principles but also exude a shared passion for championing small businesses. This commitment is rooted in humility, accountability, and a clear understanding of both who we are and, perhaps more significantly, who we are not.Our unwavering dedication, relentless drive, and fervent work ethic form the bedrock of our support for business owners,…
We are a Pledge Fund (backed by family offices) that invests in scalable and purpose-driven companies in the United States.The founding partners have each over ten years of private equity experience. Our team, operating partners, and pledge fund investors have substantial experience in investing, creating, growing, operating, and selling businesses.We invest in proven businesses with strong management teams within our core sectors: (i) financial services, (ii) business services, and (iii) specialized services and products.We make, both controlling and non-controlling stakes, investments in…
Tempus Partners seeks to buy and operate defensible and profitable small businesses in the consumer retail and manufacturing categories. We are committed to nurturing the long term success of our acquisitions and operating to generate consistent long-term cash flow. We are open to both growth partnerships, in which the existing team maintains some ownership and involvement going forward, or full buyouts. Our deep industry expertise in retail and manufacturing businesses allows us to take an active role and immediately pursue strong, low capital, low risk strategies to grow sales and…
Karo Ventures, LLC is a private investment firm specializing in the acquisition and growth of small to medium-sized businesses. We focus on manufacturing companies in the Southeast, with a particular interest in the rubber, plastics, and chemicals industries. Our team brings deep expertise, operational experience, and a commitment to creating value for the businesses we acquire and their stakeholders.
NoorQuest Capital is a values-driven PE firm that is focused on acquiring and growing small businesses in Texas, Illinois and Louisiana. We partner with small business owners looking to see their business continue to grow while preserving their legacy, ensuring a smooth transition, and doing right by their employees, customers and investors.Our two founders have decades of combined operational and consulting experience. We started out as engineers, and over time expanded our experience across multiple industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, energy, technology, and finance. Others on…
Fox River Capital is led by Jason Salisbury, Managing Partner and a seasoned business leader with a proven track record of success in engineering sales, industrial services, and business ownership. Jason’s extensive experience includes founding, growing, and successfully exiting a company, as well as managing operations and sales for high-performing industrial businesses. His hands-on approach and strategic vision drive Fox River Capital’s mission to create lasting value for all stakeholders.Backed by a group of established business leaders who own and manage substantial companies, we…
D.K. Smith & Co. is a private equity independent sponsor focused on making control acquisitions and partnering with management teams to grow middle market companies.We seek platform investment targets with $5-$25 million in EBITDA and will go as low as $2 million in EBITDA for bolt-on investments. We work with business owners seeking a meaningful upfront cash payment for their business, an opportunity to rollover and retain a continued ownership position, and potentially remain involved in the management and growth of the business.
Westhaver Partners is an evergreen investment group backed by long-term capital. We focus on companies with strong cash flow profiles, opportunities to scale and defensible competitive positioning. We generally seek to purchase majority stakes and operate companies, together with management teams, but with long-term capital and an entrepreneurial approach, we can be flexible.
Waypoint Acquisitions is an investment group focused on majority investments in family-owned and founder-led businesses. Our principals and investors are current and former operators of privately-held and long-standing family businesses. We work with existing and/or new management to build upon the long-term success and legacy of enduringly profitable businesses.Target Investment CriteriaCompany Attributes10+ years in businessOwner seeking transitionDifferentiating & defensible qualitiesFinancials$1-$5M EBITDAStrong net operating marginsConsistent, positive cash flowSector FocusNiche…
Dekos Capital Management LLC is a privately held Texas-based investment firm. The firm’s founders have significant experience as private equity, investment banking and operating executives and are partnered with institutional investors to invest in strategically viable middle-market businesses.
Saddle Horn Equity acquires controlling equity interests in lower-middle market companies with the intention of growing them to the next level without a pre-defined hold period.We’re entrepreneurs who have started, built and sold businesses. And while we understand finance, we’re rooted as operators. By investing our own capital, we do not have the strict structure of a private equity fund and can provide sellers with the transition they desire.
Dogwood Grove Capital Partners is a private investment firm focused on small to medium-sized acquisitions and roll-ups. We are seeking acquisitions in the Southeast (TN, AR, MS, AL, GA), especially within three hundred miles of Memphis. We are actively seeking add-on acquisitions for Natureplex, a manufacturer of OTC pharmaceutical products (e.g., creams, ointments, gels, enemas, electrolytes). We are also actively seeking new platforms. We are operating as an independent sponsor rather than through a fund at this time.
Tenet Investment Company (“Tenet”) is a global private equity fund manager formed to make investments in middle market companies across the United States and West Africa. We are a generalist investment manager but however have a strong affinity for investments in sectors such as consumer products, manufacturing, food and agribusiness, financial services and technology. We seek control or significant minority investments in companies and look to back existing management teams or build strong management teams at investee companies. Our investment size ranges from $5 million to $30 million…
Plainview Capital LLC is a private investment firm based in the Philadelphia area that acquires and grows lower middle market businesses headquartered in the Eastern U.S. We invest the capital of our principals and a small group of private investors in high-potential companies that can benefit from our principals' diverse experiences as business operators, financial executives and strategic consultants. We are particularly interested in light manufacturing, consumer goods, business service and value-added distribution investment opportunities. We look for businesses with histories of sales…
The Morris Capital Group, LLC will be the investment vehicle of choice for investors looking to maximize their return above market rates and business owners looking to complete their exit plans with dignity, honesty, and professionalism. We will seek a single business on a deal-by-deal basis to grow and operate while opening the opportunity to create value in that company to investors.
