We take a unique approach to partnering and building businesses with entrepreneurs.

Lead with Management Skills, Not Capital:

While we always invest some capital in any business in which we are involved, it is our experience running businesses and our relationships in these markets that make us attractive partners for our target companies.  We take our time finding not only businesses we like, but people we like and can work with week-in and week-out.    If a company only seeks capital, there is little appeal for our approach.   If they want a partner that can bring direct experience running and growing similar businesses, then our approach is compelling.

Narrower Markets:

Unlike typical venture firms that only pursue investments in billion dollar markets, we are comfortable in businesses with narrower markets that are often industry or function specific.  We still find opportunities that can generate 10x upsides, but with much smaller overall investment commitments.   This allows us to look at many deals that can’t make the first cut at a traditional VC firm.

50/50 Deals:

We prefer to find opportunities where we can be even partners with management/entrepreneur(s).  While many people believe a 50/50 deal is a recipe for disaster, we have found that this approach results in greater trust and commitment to success by both parties.  Together, we have to find and agree on the best direction.  Because we participate in the operation of the business on a weekly and sometimes daily basis, we understand the true state of the business.   Conflict with traditional investors often germinates from the gap in understanding between the Board and the operators regarding what the business needs.  We don’t run into this problem.

Flexible Approach and Structures:

Since almost all of the capital we deploy is our own, our objectives align more directly with management than typical VC firms that are driven by annual management fees, raising the next fund, and satisfying the investment constraints of their Limited Partners.   We don’t have to slavishly follow a cookie cutter model that dictates how much we can invest in any one business, time limits for exit, or constraints on types of financing and ownership.  We are free to treat each business uniquely and use the approach that works best for that company and its management.