Charlotte has emerged as a hub for private equity activity, attracting top-tier firms that leverage the city’s strong economic foundation, diverse industries, and strategic Southeastern location. With a mix of established leaders and innovative newcomers, Charlotte's private equity landscape continues to shape the future of investment in the region.
At Dakota, we empower investment professionals with a comprehensive, user-friendly platform designed to centralize critical investment data and intelligence called Dakota Research. By offering real-time insights, extensive manager coverage, and performance data, we help investors navigate the expanding private fund market with confidence.
In this article, we're giving an analysis on the top ten private equity firms in Charlotte to follow. By the end of this, you'll have a clear understanding of the these firms and their key areas of focus.
1. Ridgemont Equity Partners
Overview: Ridgemont Equity Partners is a Charlotte-based private equity firm specializing in middle-market buyout and growth equity investments, with over $8.5 billion in assets under management. They focus on sectors such as business and tech-enabled services, industrial growth, and healthcare. Notable investments include Strata Information Group, a leading provider of IT services for higher education institutions, IL2000, a logistics and supply chain management company, and Crete Mechanical Group, a provider of commercial HVAC and energy efficiency services.
Focus: Middle-market companies in business and tech-enabled services, industrial growth, and healthcare sectors, emphasizing strategic growth and operational efficiency.
2. Asana Partners
Overview: Asana Partners is a retail real estate investment firm managing approximately $7 billion in assets. They focus on acquiring and enhancing mixed-use and retail properties in dynamic urban neighborhoods across the U.S. Notable investments include a significant portion of the dual-hotel Midtown development on upper King Street in Charleston, SC.
Focus: Mixed-use and retail properties in urban and near-urban neighborhoods, emphasizing value creation through strategic enhancements and active management.
3. Pamlico Capital
Overview: Pamlico Capital supports growth-oriented middle-market companies with strategic guidance and capital solutions, managing $3.4 billion in assets. Their portfolio includes Service Express, a data center maintenance provider; HelioCampus, an analytics technology firm; and Becker's Healthcare, a B2B media company.
Focus: Growth equity for middle-market companies in healthcare, technology, and business services, focusing on scalability and sustainable growth.
4. Capitala Group
Overview: Capitala Group offers flexible capital solutions, including equity, subordinated debt, and senior debt, with over $2.2 billion invested. Notable investments include Xirgo Technologies, a provider of wireless communication solutions, and American Apparel, a clothing label known for its made-in-the-USA cotton basics in modern and retro styles.
Focus: Lower middle-market companies across diverse industries, providing flexible capital solutions to support growth, acquisitions, and ownership transitions.
5. Falfurrias Capital Partners
Overview: Founded by former Bank of America executives, Falfurrias Capital Partners invests in middle-market companies with industry-focused strategies, managing approximately $1.9 billion in assets. Notable investments include American Safety Council, a provider of online training and certification, and GlynnDevins, a marketing firm specializing in senior living communities.
Focus: Middle-market companies in consumer products, financial services, and technology, leveraging industry expertise to drive growth and operational enhancements.
6. Frontier Growth
Overview: Frontier Growth partners with software and technology-enabled business services companies, managing approximately $1.8 billion in assets. Notable investments include Wilson Human Capital Group, a talent solutions provider.
Focus: Software and technology-enabled business services, focusing on growth equity to accelerate business expansion and operational efficiency.
7. NovaQuest Capital Management
Overview: NovaQuest Capital Management specializes in providing strategic capital to life sciences and healthcare companies, managing approximately $1.8 billion in assets. Notable investments include Covenant Animal Health Partners, a network of specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals, and Arvelle Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on central nervous system disorders.
Focus: Life sciences and healthcare companies, emphasizing strategic capital solutions for innovation and growth in biopharmaceuticals, healthcare services, and veterinary health.
8. Plexus Capital
Overview: Plexus Capital specializes in providing capital to lower middle-market businesses, managing approximately $1.7 billion in assets. Notable investments include ChemReady, a provider of water treatment solutions, and ArmorWorks, a manufacturer of defense and security products.
Focus: Lower middle-market businesses, offering flexible financing solutions including subordinated debt and equity investments to support growth and succession planning.
9. Carousel Capital
Overview: Carousel Capital targets lower middle-market companies in the Southeastern U.S. with a focus on strategic growth, managing $1.5 billion in assets. Notable investments include Armstrong Transport Group, a third-party logistics company specializing in freight management services, and Copac, a provider of custom folding cartons and rigid boxes.
Focus: Lower middle-market companies in healthcare, business services, and consumer products, focusing on strategic growth and operational efficiency.
10. Catalyst Capital Partners
Overview: Catalyst Capital Partners focuses on real estate development and investment, managing approximately $1.3 billion in assets. They invest in strategic acquisitions and developments to drive long-term value.
Focus: Real estate development and investment, emphasizing strategic acquisitions and value-add development opportunities in high-growth markets.
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