Notable Middle Market Private Equity Firms

1. ACI Capital

ACI Capital is a private investment firm that targets investments in mid-sized companies. ACI primarily looks for US based businesses with revenues between $25 and $500 million and operating profits of at least $5 million. ACI prefers control investments and will consider a variety of investment structures including buyouts, restructurings, growth capital financings, recapitalizations, PIPEs, secondary purchases, and bridge financings. Sectors of interest include consumer (consumer products, direct marketing, restaurants, franchising, healthy living), industrial (niche manufacturing, transportation, infrastructure, alternative energy), and services (business services, healthcare services, financial services, logistics, media). ACI Capital was formed in 1995 and is based in New York City.

2. August Equity

August Equity is a private equity firm that provides capital for management buyouts, buy-ins, growth financings, and recapitalizations. August Equity looks for growth companies with strong cash-flow operating within four sectors including healthcare, media/technology, industrial products and services, and consumer products and services. Sectors of interest include media, technology, healthcare, and specialty manufacturing. August Equity targets UK based companies and looks to commit GBP10 to GBP50 million per transaction. August Equity is based in London.

3. Blue Point Capital

Blue Point Capital Partners is a middle-market private equity firm focused on investments throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. The Firm looks to commit $15 to $50 million of equity capital in companies generating sales of $25 to $250 million and EBITDA of at least $5 million. Blue Point looks for control investments that arise from management led buyouts, recapitalizaitons, and companies in need of growth capital. Sectors of interest include transportation components, metals processing, plastics, packaging, specialty distribution, environmental, building materials, industrial textiles, transportation/logistics, chemicals, industrial outsourcing, and engineered components. Blue Point will not invest in real estate, restaurants, retail, or companies operating in highly regulated industries. Blue Point Capital Partners was formed in 1990 and has offices in Cleveland, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Seattle, Washington.

4. CCP Equity Partners

CCP Equity Partners is a private equity firm that looks to invest in growth companies operating in the healthcare and financial services sectors. CCP looks to invest up to $20 million in North American based companies with revenues between $5 and $100 million. Target companies should have 'exceptional' growth potential, be at or near profitability, and have clear/sustainable competitive advantages. CCP Equity Partners was established in 1985 and is based in Hartford, Connecticut.

5. Dolphin Equity Partners

Dolphin Equity Partners is a specialist private equity firm focused on investing in technology-enabled service based companies. Specific areas of interest include software as a service, on demand software, mobile-enabled technology, communication services, and new media/internet. Dolphin looks for investment candidates operating primarily in North America and the UK. Dolphin prefers to invest in companies in need of expansion capital but will also consider early-stage businesses, recapitalizations, and buyouts. Dolphin Equity Partners was formed in 1998 and is based in New York City.

6. Stone Bridge Partners

Stonebridge Partners is a private equity firm that targets investments in mid-sized privately owned companies or divisions of public companies primarily serving the industrial or commercial marketplaces. The Firm 'particularly seeks companies where manufacturing equipment, processes, technology, patents, brand identity and/or reputation provide sustainable barriers to entry for potential competitors'. Target sectors include specialty manufacturing, valued-added distributors, specialty packaging, building materials, and infrastructure. Stonebridge prefers businesses located in the US and Canada. The Firm's target transaction size is $50 to $200 million. Stonebridge Partners was formed in 1986 and is based in White Plains, New York.