Top Illinois Independent Sponsors with Recent Private M&A Activity

108

Active Firms

1,709

TTM Deal Inquiries

$5M-$21M

Core Revenue Range

$1M-$4M

Core EBITDA Range

Top Sectors by Activity

Industrials 54%

Healthcare 9%

Consumer Goods 8%

Technology 7%

Transportation 7%

Key Attributes

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

MTT Enterprises

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Interested in add on acquisitions between $2M to $20M EBITDA in industrial manufacturing. Industrial technology manufacturing leader in automotive, aerospace, construction, medical device, and general industry verticals with a combination of sales, business development, and strategy expertise. I worked in private equity and publicly traded environments. I owned global P&Ls and managed challenging revenue expectations across manufacturing and service industries. I built and managed large international teams up to 90 members in size with a focus on developing talent and succession…

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Positive Risk Holdings

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Pioneer a strategy focused on long-term value creation by committing to high-quality companies with robust management teams and actively fostering their development and expansion. We are committed to delivering superior results for investors, shareholders, partners, and operators, all while prioritizing risk management and capital preservation.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Ethos Succession Group llc

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Ethos Succession Group aims to acquire and manage one exceptional business with integrity and a deep respect for its legacy. Founded on a diverse background in hospitality, blue collar, and white collar services, Ethos Succession Group is committed to building on the foundations of its acquired business's people, ensuring their growth and success while preserving the organization's core values and purpose.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Dominion Equity LLC

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Dominion-Equity LLC is an investment firm dedicated to creating the future of food by partnering with entrepreneurs and innovators. We are a group of CPG executives seeking to invest in innovative companies that are disrupting the food industry.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Vastille Capital Partners

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Vastille Capital Partners is an AI-native private equity firm that specializes in the acquisition and operation of lower middle market healthcare companies. With a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence, Vastille Capital Partners aims to enhance the management and growth of its portfolio companies. The firm is dedicated to identifying and investing in healthcare businesses that can benefit from its strategic approach and technological expertise. By concentrating on the healthcare sector, Vastille Capital Partners seeks to drive innovation and efficiency within its investments,…

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Cottonwood

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Acquiring established businesses with a minimum $3M EBITDA across Financial Services, Education, Food, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and CPG. We bring deep operational expertise, M&A experience, and growth capital to partner with proven businesses ready to scale.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

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Omega Capital

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Omega Capital acquires founder-led enterprise software and business services companies under $10M EBITDA. I have previous M&A and PE experience at Apollo and starting my own Search fund with investors from Apollo.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Cortex Industrial Partners

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Operator-led investment platform focused on acquiring and scaling lower-middle market industrial automation, robotics, and AI-enabled manufacturing businesses. We partner with founder-owners seeking a practical, respectful transition and long-term growth, bringing deep technical diligence, operational expertise, and flexible leadership transition support.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Scott Springer

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Chelwood Consulting Group and partners are looking to acquire manufacturing businesses in the manufacturing field, specifically in the B2B and Governement contract sectors. With over 25 yrs of manufacturing experience, specializing in Lean Manufacturing, Supply Chain optimization and Leadership. We are a Veteran, Disabled owned organization.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

CGS Partners

Actively Sourcing Deals

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CGS Partners is a private investment firm that specializes in acquiring main street businesses in the Midwest. We engage with motivated business owners to facilitate private direct acquisitions, focusing on creating value and growth opportunities within our portfolio. With a strategic approach to investment, CGS Partners aims to foster business development and expansion in the region, leveraging expertise and resources to support and grow the companies we acquire.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Kapok Partners

Actively Sourcing Deals

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20+ years investing in privately-owned businesses ($2M-$15M EBITDA) with practical, profitable solutions to lightening the environmental and carbon footprint of industry. 30+ acquisitions worth $2B+. Prior investments in environmental services, industrial services, cleaner energy, manufacturing, distribution, efficient logistics. I have deep and long-standing relationships with institutional and family office investors backing me deal by deal.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Mill Street Holdings

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Independent sponsor looking for LMM deals. Primary industry focuses are industrials and business services. Prior experience includes investing and operating businesses across these sectors. Currently looking to source and close my first acquisition.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Guardian Capital

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Guardian Capital is a fully integrated investment company committed to creating long-term value for its investors and partners. The firm specializes in structuring custom-tailored solutions for complex transactions, focusing on real estate, secured loans, and operating companies. With over two decades of experience, Guardian Capital leverages data-driven research and process-oriented asset management to maximize risk-adjusted returns. The company operates across various sectors, including real estate investment and development, distressed debt, venture capital, and special situations.…

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Sterra+Ai

Actively Sourcing Deals

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We are seeking to acquire established, profitable businesses across a range of industries and geographies. We are flexible on sector and location and are primarily focused on finding strong fundamentals, capable teams, and opportunities for long-term value creation.Our team has extensive experience operating, scaling, and exiting multiple businesses. We take a hands-on, operator-led approach and prioritize continuity for employees, customers, and partners.

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Keeler Lane LLC

Actively Sourcing Deals

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Keeler Lane LLC is a private investment firm focused on acquiring, operating, and growing select small to lower-middle-market businesses.We invest out of personal funds which, when necessary, can be supplemented with institutional or individual capital from a network of partners.Keeler Lane takes a hands-on approach to drive growth and value creation through the institutionalization of operational processes, strategic planning, and financial management. We also seek to drive growth and scale efficiencies through add-on acquisitions where appropriate. We target established businesses with a…

Recent Transactions

This member has no reported closed transactions.

Skyline Global Partners LLC

14 Total Closed Deals

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Skyline Global Partners LLC is a lower middle market private equity firm based in Chicago, Illinois. We focus on buyouts and growth equity investments in the United States and Canada. Skyline targets companies in the healthcare, manufacturing, distribution, business services, software/SaaS and eCommerce, consumer products, and food/beverage/agriculture sectors.Transaction StructuresSkyline focuses on buyouts and growth equity investments. We make investments on both a control and minority ownership basis. We provide flexible transaction structures that meet the needs of owners and management…

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2024 Acquired Exacto
Jun 2024 Invested in Apex International
Dec 2023 Acquired Cosmo's Superior Foods
Aug 2021 Acquired Lief Labs

Middleton Partners

12 Total Closed Deals

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Middleton Partners PG Group is a Chicago-based private investment firm that invests in lower middle market manufacturing, distribution, and service companies across the United States. The Middleton PG Group is a unique arm of Middleton Partners. Unlike traditional private equity firms, Middleton is not a fund and does not have a fixed investment mandate or time horizon. We have a strong investor base with the ability to perform due diligence and deploy capital quickly. The Middleton team leverages its significant banking, marketing, manufacturing, supply chain and distribution experience…

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2023 Acquired Hilton Garden Inn
Aug 2023 Acquired Park Place East & West
Aug 2023 Acquired John Hopkins Laboratory
Aug 2023 Acquired 411 East Wisconsin Center

TJM Capital Partners

10 Total Closed Deals

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TJM Capital Partners is a boutique, operationally-focused private equity firm based in Chicago. The firm was founded in 2008 and is led by Tom McDonough (Founder and Managing Partner), Scott Witt (Partner), Bill Van Sant (Operating Partner) and Dan Cleary (Operating Partner). TJM seeks high growth potential middle market manufacturing and services businesses with $10-40 million revenue and $0-7 million EBITDA, and typically invests $2 to $20+ million of equity per transaction.Our firm primarily invests in, and serves as counselors to, companies in the following sectors:Industrial…

Recent Transactions

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Jul 2019 Acquired Micron Metalworks
Mar 2019 Acquired Mid-Continent Engineering
Dec 2018 Acquired Hutchinson Manufacturing
Mar 2018 Acquired John's Refrigeration

Tyrian Capital

7 Total Closed Deals

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Tyrian Capital is a private equity firm investing in companies and management teams throughout the United States. Our unique network of capital sources, industry experts and strategic professionals help build great businesses for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2023 Acquired Veridiam
Aug 2023 Acquired EWS
Aug 2023 Acquired Crane Aircraft Partners
Aug 2023 Acquired Symphony

Lake Street Capital Partners, LP

5 Total Closed Deals

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Lake Street Capital Partners is a private equity fund focused on making direct control, large minority, and co-investments in lower middle market companies across North America (with a primary focus on the U.S.). We specifically focus on identifying attractive founder and family-owned companies poised for growth. Our mission is to provide these underserved companies and their owners with access to differentiated capital in order to facilitate transactions of various types, such as control investments, recapitalizations, management buyouts, or strategic growth investments.

Recent Transactions

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Jun 2025 Acquired St Croix Concrete
Jun 2025 Acquired Choufani & Bailey Roofing and Restoration
Aug 2024 Acquired Concrete Science
Aug 2024 Acquired MD Concrete

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Firms in the Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois are active across multiple regions, while firms based elsewhere may also participate in the Illinois market. Location can provide useful context, but it should not be interpreted as a firm’s geographic boundary.

When comparing Independent Sponsors in Illinois, consider factors such as sector focus, size range, and recent transaction activity. These characteristics vary across the 108 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 Illinois Independent Sponsors directory, you can request information here.

Top Illinois Independent Sponsors

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