Top Specialty Stores Independent Sponsors with Recent Private M&A Activity

881

Active Firms

25,355

TTM Deal Inquiries

$3M-$15M

Core Revenue Range

$600K-$3M

Core EBITDA Range

Top States by Activity

Florida 13%

Texas 12%

California 11%

New York 7%

New Jersey 4%

Key Attributes

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

Bearing Partners

4 Total Closed Deals

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Bearing Partners is an independent financial sponsor that invests in lower middle-market companies. We seek to invest in businesses $1M to $8M of EBITDA with a strong management team and the potential for significant growth. We prefer to partner with the management team or founder(s) in control investments in industries including consumer products and services, business services, oil & gas, technology, industrial & manufacturing, etc. We have a low leverage approach in structuring transactions and no required hold period which allows for flexibility for each specific situation.

Recent Transactions

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Oct 2024 Invested in Blue Frog, LLC
Nov 2023 Acquired 7-2-11
Nov 2022 Acquired JR's Country Stores
Nov 2021 Acquired Newton Crouch Company, LLC

Chelsea Square Partners

3 Total Closed Deals

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We are a fundless sponsor based out of New York City that invests in services, distribution and manufacturing businesses below $10 million in transaction value. We are open to owner operator transactions, partnership deals, or deals requiring full management replacements (which we accomplish by placing operators from our proprietary network). To date, we have closed 4 transactions and look to close 2-3 a year going forward. Our main talents are institutionalizing people, processes and systems and focusing on areas for longer term growth as we look to build out solid organizations to scale.

Recent Transactions

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Jan 2025 Acquired Rescue Cesspool & Drain
Jan 2023 Acquired US Restoration
Jan 2022 Acquired Peliguard

Lighthouse Equity Partners

3 Total Closed Deals

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Lighthouse Equity Partners is a venture founded by Penn alum and ex-Bridgewater Associates operating executive George Nanos. George brings 20 years of expertise in technology, product development, financial services, and capital markets along with deep venture capital, private equity, and debt networks. Currently targeting industries where technology can differentiate product or optimize operations, Lighthouse Equity Partners is seeking to source and close on a deal in the next 9-12 months.

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2023 Acquired Cannabis Cultivator
Aug 2023 Acquired Stamford Real Estate Portfolio
Aug 2023 Acquired High End Clothing Boutique

Monroe Street Partners

3 Total Closed Deals

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Based in Chicago, IL, MSP is an operationally focused investment firm formed to acquire family and founder-runbusinesses across the business services, niche manufacturing, and industrial sectors with EBITDAbetween $2MM-$10MM. Since its inception in 2022, MSP has completed seven acquisitions (three platforms and fouradd-on investments) across various of our target industries.

Recent Transactions

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Jun 2024 Acquired American Roadway Logistics
Aug 2023 Acquired Brandito
Feb 2023 Acquired Vigilnet

Dark Alpha Capital LLC

3 Total Closed Deals

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At Dark Alpha, our investment strategy revolves around acquiring and enhancing cash-generating companies within select sectors. As a nascent entity, we prioritize industries with significant growth potential including manufacturing, business services, health care, aerospace & defense, and industrial services.Thesis-Driven Investment StrategyOur in-house industry advisors identify industries poised for disruptive growth by studying macroeconomic factors, technological advancements, and regulatory changes. The selected thesis is further substantiated by examining industry reports,…

Recent Transactions

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May 2021 Acquired Confidential Company
Nov 2020 Acquired Confidential Company
May 2020 Acquired Blackbox Systems and Technologies LLC

Bridgefield Capital

3 Total Closed Deals

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Bridgefield provides simplified, one-stop shop capital solutions to middle market companies. Through both debt and equity capital solutions, we help entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams accomplish their goals—whether their goals are to achieve liquidity, to diversify their personal wealth, facilitate management buyouts and/or pursue growth and acquisition financing.Since 2006, we are proud to have facilitated more than 100 transactions (credit and equity) representing more than $1 billion in transaction value across industries including manufacturing, technology, consumer…

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2022 Acquired Avaloq Outline
Mar 2022 Acquired SPS
Feb 2020 Acquired QDQ Group

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Fox River Capital LLC

2 Total Closed Deals

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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…

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2025 Acquired Dehumidifier Corporation of America
Dec 2024 Acquired Becker Boiler

Fourth Exit

2 Total Closed Deals

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After spending 15 years in enabling small to medium sizes businesses in revenue generation, Fourth Exit is now venturing into SaaS enterprise acquisitions. Looking to acquire a SaaS business with $1M-$5M acquisition cost.

Recent Transactions

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Jul 2021 Advised Afterpay in its sale to Block
Jun 2018 Advised Magento in its sale to Adobe Systems Inc.

21 Hilton Holdings Inc

2 Total Closed Deals

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Real estate operator and developer that has expanded into the home services and property services industry. Acquired a residential garage door servicing and installation company generating $1M EBITDA. Also looking at home restoration (water) and asphalt repair/maintenance.

Recent Transactions

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Aug 2023 Acquired AUSTIN SFR & LAND PORTFOLIO
Aug 2023 Acquired DURHAM 10-ACRE DEVELOPMENT SITE

Dekos Capital

2 Total Closed Deals

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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.

Recent Transactions

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Mar 2024 Acquired Achieve Accreditation
Jan 2024 Acquired Shear Drive Group

Paisley Capital

2 Total Closed Deals

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Paisley Capital is a private investment partnership between two experienced operating and finance professionals. Paisley invests in small- to medium-sized businesses located in the upper Midwest.

Recent Transactions

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Dec 2020 Acquired Intelligere, Inc.
Jan 2011 Invested in Plastic Resource

EGB Capital Inc.

2 Total Closed Deals

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As Managing Partner of EGB Capital Inc. I lead the acquisition of manufacturing and distribution companies. EGB Capital focuses on identifying strategic opportunities, driving operational excellence, and creating long-term value with newly acquired companies.With dual master's degrees—Master of Global Management and MBA—and a Governance Essentials certification from the University of Toronto, I bring a unique blend of global business acumen and governance expertise. My leadership journey spans diverse industries and regions, including Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe, equipping me with…

Recent Transactions

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May 2025 Acquired Urist Cosmetics Inc.
Feb 2024 Acquired Central Valley Glass

UpperStage.Capital

2 Total Closed Deals

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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.

Recent Transactions

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Sep 2023 Invested in NIRA
Oct 2021 Acquired Talius

Avita Holdings

2 Total Closed Deals

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Avita Holdings is a veteran-led micro family office that specializes in acquiring and nurturing small businesses. With a focus on operational excellence and long-term growth, Avita Holdings is dedicated to building a lasting legacy through purposeful ownership. The firm emphasizes honoring the founders of acquired businesses and aims to continue their legacy while also serving as a learning environment for the founder's children. Based in San Diego, California, Avita Holdings is committed to developing complementary ventures that align with its core values.

Recent Transactions

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Jan 2026 Acquired Cue the Magic
Jan 2026 Acquired The Event Vibe

Forge Equity Partners

2 Total Closed Deals

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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+…

Recent Transactions

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Jan 2024 Acquired LocalSodFarm.com
Mar 2022 Acquired STS Electronic Recycling

RTG Capital

2 Total Closed Deals

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RTG Capital is a private equity fund manager specializing in the consumer and lifestyle sectors. As part of RTG Group Asia, the firm leverages the strategic expertise of RTG Consulting Group to enhance brand value for its portfolio companies. With a focus on high-potential businesses, RTG Capital aims to expand or enter the Asian market, particularly in Southeast Asia and China. The company operates under the Venture Capital Fund Manager regime and is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. RTG Capital manages a diverse portfolio of around 15 companies, emphasizing growth and…

Recent Transactions

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Jan 2026 Acquired Own The Room®
Jan 2026 Acquired Wineapp

Morpho Capital Partners

2 Total Closed Deals

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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…

Recent Transactions

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Feb 2024 Advised Confidential Company on an investment from Confidential Company
Aug 2023 Acquired Confidential Company

127 Wall

2 Total Closed Deals

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127 Wall supports promising entrepreneurs and businesses by delivering the thoughtful capital and operational insight that they need in order to effectively scale. Our flexible investment mandate allows us to provide solutions across the transaction spectrum, from retiring owner-operators in need of complete exits to expanding businesses seeking accelerated growth.

Recent Transactions

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Nov 2021 Acquired Save a Lot
Sep 2021 Acquired Save A Lot

Mayfair

1 Total Closed Deal

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Mayfair is a private investment firm focused on small to medium sized acquisitions. We plan to work closely with our portfolio companies to drive measurable value for all stakeholders.

Recent Transactions

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Nov 2019 Acquired Oyster

Go Global Brand Investment Platform

1 Total Closed Deal

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Go Global Retail is a team of experienced retail, Ecommerce and consumer brand leaders that understand the challenges that brands and retailers are facing. We are an investment platform bringing operational experience to the M&A process and asset management post acquisition. The Go Global team participated in more than 10 acquisitions and helped to improve EBITDA by over $250 million combined.Go Global specializes in business strategy and process optimization, supply chain and operations, technology including infrastructure and systems, organizational strategy and organizational talent…

Recent Transactions

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Jun 2004 Advised Spiegel & Newport News on an investment from Golden Gate Capital

Firms in the Specialty Stores 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 Specialty Stores Independent Sponsors is $3M-$15M, with a core EBITDA range of $600K-$3M. 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.

Relevant Retail experience can be an important consideration when evaluating a firm. Familiarity with the sector can provide a stronger understanding of its business models, market dynamics, valuation considerations, and transaction environment. The 881 firms included in this directory provide a starting point for identifying firms with relevant experience and activity in Retail.

Not necessarily. Many firms are active across multiple industries, so inclusion in the Specialty Stores Independent Sponsors directory reflects relevant experience or activity in Retail, rather than an exclusive sector focus. Individual profiles provide additional context on each firm’s areas of focus and activity within the sector.

When comparing Independent Sponsors with experience in Retail, consider factors such as size range, geographic reach, and recent transaction activity. These characteristics vary across the 881 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 Specialty Stores Independent Sponsors directory, you can request information here.

Top Specialty Stores Independent Sponsors

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