Nashville has emerged as a rising force in private equity. The city’s business-friendly environment and steady deal flow have attracted both established firms and emerging players, shaping its expanding investment ecosystem.
At Dakota, we equip investment professionals with a centralized platform for private equity intelligence, called Dakota Research. With real-time insights, extensive manager coverage, and performance data, we help investors navigate the private fund market with confidence.
In this article, we’re highlighting the top ten private equity firms in Nashville that are driving deal activity and shaping investment trends. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of these firms, their investment strategies, and their impact on the broader market.
1. LFM Capital
Overview: LFM Capital is a private equity firm focused on lower middle-market manufacturing and industrial services companies, managing over $1 billion in assets. The firm partners with businesses that have strong operational foundations and growth potential. Notable investments include Eckhart, a provider of advanced automation and manufacturing solutions, and Accelevation, a vertically integrated manufacturer serving data center and electric vehicle industries.
Focus: Lower middle-market manufacturing and industrial services companies, emphasizing operational excellence and growth acceleration.
2. Whistler Capital Partners
Overview: Whistler Capital Partners is a Nashville-based private equity firm specializing in healthcare investments. With a focus on middle-market companies, the firm seeks to drive value creation through strategic partnerships and operational improvements. Notable investments include heart + paw, a provider of veterinary care services, and CHG Healthcare, a staffing and recruitment firm for the industry.
Focus: Middle-market healthcare companies, targeting innovation, growth, and operational efficiency.
3. Arcline Investment Management
Overview: Arcline Investment Management is a growth-oriented private equity firm with over $9.1 billion in capital under management. The firm invests in niche, technology-driven industrial and healthcare businesses. Notable investments include Omega Engineering, a provider of precision measurement solutions, and Fairbanks Morse, a manufacturer of power generation systems for defense applications.
Focus: Industrial and healthcare businesses with a technology-driven edge, emphasizing strategic growth and operational transformation.
4. Pharos Capital Group
Overview: Pharos Capital Group is a healthcare-focused private equity firm managing over $1 billion in assets. The firm invests in companies that improve healthcare access, quality, and efficiency, with a focus on underserved communities. Notable investments include Beacon Specialized Living, a provider of behavioral health services, and Sona Dermatology, a multi-site provider of medical, cosmetic, surgical and pathologic dermatology.
Focus: Healthcare companies emphasizing improved access, quality, and efficiency, particularly in underserved markets.
5. Resolute Capital Partners
Overview: Resolute Capital Partners provides flexible capital solutions to lower middle-market businesses, managing investments across various industries. The firm specializes in structured equity and mezzanine debt financing. Notable investments include Together Women's Health, a platform offering comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic services, and Buchanan Technologies, a managed IT services provider.
Focus: Lower middle-market businesses, offering flexible capital solutions including structured equity and mezzanine debt.
6. Matthews Real Estate Services
Overview: Matthews Real Estate Services is a full-service commercial real estate investment firm specializing in brokerage, investment sales, and capital markets. The firm works with institutional and private investors across various asset classes, including retail, multifamily, industrial, and healthcare properties. Notable transactions include high-profile retail acquisitions and major multifamily investment sales.
Focus: Commercial real estate investment, brokerage, and capital markets, providing strategic solutions across multiple asset classes.
7. CapitalSpring
Overview: CapitalSpring is a private investment firm specializing in the restaurant and franchise industry, managing over $2 billion in assets. The firm provides structured capital solutions to operators, franchisors, and related businesses. Notable investments include Taco Bell and Dunkin’ franchise groups, supporting growth and operational improvements.
Focus: Restaurant and franchise industry investments, emphasizing structured capital solutions for growth and operational enhancement.
8. Rubicon Founders
Overview: Rubicon Founders is a Nashville-based investment firm focused on transforming healthcare through innovation and strategic investments. The firm partners with entrepreneurs and healthcare companies to drive systemic change. Notable investments include Privia Health, a physician enablement platform.
Focus: Healthcare innovation and transformation, partnering with entrepreneurs to drive systemic improvements.
9. Courage Capital Management
Overview: Founded in 1998, Courage is a Nashville-based alternative asset firm managing private funds for institutional investors and family offices. Committed to aligning interests and maximizing value for its partners, Courage focuses on two specialized investment strategies: Healthcare Financing and Music Rights.
Focus: Growth capital investment to healthcare companies and acquisition of music rights.
10. AJ Capital Management
Overview: AJ Capital Management is a real estate investment firm specializing in hospitality and lifestyle-focused developments. The firm is known for its Graduate Hotels brand, a collection of boutique hotels in university towns across the U.S. Notable projects include Graduate Nashville and Graduate Oxford.
Focus: Hospitality and real estate investment, with a focus on lifestyle-driven developments and boutique hotel concepts.
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Our mission is to streamline the research and due diligence process, providing investment professionals with the critical intelligence needed to identify opportunities and build lasting partnerships in the private fund market.
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