The Top Growth Equity Firms of 2023
02.28.24
Awards

It is our distinct pleasure to announce this year’s Top Growth Equity Firms. After ten years of conducting this annual awards process, we decided to expand the number of awardees for two primary reasons. 

Firstly, our aim has always been to better inform CEOs and LPs of the best growth equity firms to partner with and by limiting the list to 25, we were leaving out an increasing number of firms who each year receive exceptional nomination submissions.

Secondly, firms are further differentiating themselves by offering distinct capabilities thus giving growth companies more choice. By expanding the list, we can make more apparent the variation in investment approaches available to management teams who are navigating their particular segment of the growth stage.

This year’s process began with a consideration set of over 400 firms. Final round candidates were reviewed methodically on the strength of their nomination submissions. We evaluated each firm’s unique capabilities, sector expertise, investment judgment, demonstrated value creation, senior partner composition, talent retention, firm evolution, and firm momentum, among other attributes.  A minor fraction of final round candidates were ultimately selected as awardees. 

Not all firms are created equal and one of the biggest factors that distinguishes a firm’s ability to thrive over the long term is integrity. The best firms institute integrity and imbue trust as a core part of their culture when interacting with each of their stakeholders—portfolio companies, limited partners, their employees, their industry colleagues and others. They also institute integrity into how they participate in the world around them including their communities as well as social and environmental initiatives. 

Please join us in recognizing The Top Growth Equity Firms of 2023.

 

1. TA Associates

 

TA is a leading global private equity firm focused on investing in growing companies with high-quality business models across five target industries: technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services. Since its founding in 1968, the firm has raised $65 billion in capital and invested in more than 560 companies worldwide, led by an industry-focused team of over 150 investment professionals. An active investor, TA is committed to building long-term partnerships with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams to help scale portfolio company growth and deliver lasting value. The firm’s dedicated Strategic Resource Group and Capital Markets Group provide further growth-orientated resources and support, including strategic counsel, operational guidance, and assistance structuring and financing transactions. TA has offices in Boston, Menlo Park, Austin, London, Mumbai, and Hong Kong.

“At TA, we take great pride in the trusted partnerships we develop with the founders, leaders and management teams across our portfolio companies, as well as the strategic guidance, industry insights and resources we provide to help them accelerate growth. It is an honor to be recognized by GrowthCap for our commitment to empowering leading companies worldwide to achieve their full potential.”—Ajit Nedungadi, CEO

 

2. KKR

 

Founded in 1976, KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages approximately $553 billion in assets across growth equity, private equity, infrastructure, real estate, and credit (as of December 31, 2023).

KKR’s growth equity strategies leverage the firm’s expertise and reach, offering differentiated capital and strategic solutions to growing companies. To date, the firm has raised five dedicated growth equity funds and has made growth investments in more than 50 companies across the technology and health care sectors.

KKR offers a unique combination of resources that directly help high-growth companies scale, including deep industry expertise and pattern recognition, an extensive global presence across 25 offices on four continents, a global network of 100+ portfolio companies and myriad executive relationships, and proprietary solutions such as:

  • KKR Capstone, which works with KKR’s investment and company management teams to identify, underwrite and drive trajectory-changing operational improvements;
  • KKR Capital Markets, which offers tailored financing and execution for every stage of a company’s life cycle across debt, equity and structured products;
  • KKR Global Institute, which helps KKR and its portfolio companies navigate geopolitical issues and assess international growth opportunities such as new market entry; and
  • KKR’s Global Macro and Asset Allocation team, which analyzes global economic and market developments and their implications for investing across strategies and geographies and offers portfolio construction, asset allocation and hedging advice.

“When we launched our first growth equity strategy nearly a decade ago, we sought to offer a differentiated approach to growth investing that built on our 40+ year history of private equity investing and leveraged our full platform and capabilities to help growing companies achieve their next phase of success. Since then, we’ve helped scale a number of high-performing and innovative businesses and have delivered strong returns for our investors. We look forward to building on this momentum further by continuing to support the growth of best-in-class health care and technology companies for the benefit of patients/consumers, business enterprises and communities around the world.”—Ali Satvat and Dave Welsh, Partners and Global Heads of Health Care Strategic Growth and Next Generation Technology Growth, respectively

 

3. Summit Partners

 

Founded in 1984, Summit Partners is a global alternative investment firm with capital dedicated to growth equity, fixed income, and public equity opportunities. The Summit Partners’ strategy is grounded in a foundational belief that profitable growth is the most reliable path to building a durable business and creating long-term value. For four decades, the Summit team has focused on partnering with and powering the growth of great people and great companies. Summit invests across growth sectors of the economy and has invested in more than 550 companies in technology, healthcare, and other growth industries including financial services, consumer, business services and industrial technology. Summit maintains offices in North America and Europe and invests in companies around the world.

 

4. TPG Growth

 

Launched in 2007 as one of the first dedicated growth equity funds at a large cap private equity firm, TPG has a track record of success in meeting the unique needs of growth-stage companies, specifically growth buyouts and specialty capital. Throughout our history, TPG has partnered with some of the most innovative entrepreneurs, founders, and management teams to help grow and scale their businesses. Our team brings an established perspective and a differentiated blend of conviction, flexibility, and partnership to growth equity that allows us to invest behind unique opportunities early, particularly in markets that are at points of inflection, disruption, or significant change. We take meaningful ownership stakes in a relatively smaller number of companies in our core sectors (business services, consumer & internet, healthcare, and software), positioning our team to actively manage and add value through best-in-class business building capabilities and operational expertise.

Today, TPG Growth manages $24 billion in assets. Select investments include Airbnb, Azoff Music Company, Beautycounter, C3, Campus Active Wear, Crunch Fitness, CTSI, Denodo, Evolent Health, e.l.f. Cosmetics, GoHealth Urgent Care, Greenhouse Software, Kaseya, Keter Environmental Services, Kodiak Solutions, Lenskart, Morrow Sodali, MusixMatch, Nykaa, Salsify, Uber, and Zscaler.

“At TPG Growth, we leverage the insights of investment teams around the world and pair those global perspectives with deep sector specialization. Our sector-focused, thematically-driven strategy allows us to build differentiated angles and insights and we look forward to continuing to play a strategic role in helping companies navigate their growth journey.”—Matt Hobart and David Trujillo, Co-Managing Partners

 

5. Insight Partners (TIE)

 

Insight Partners is a leading global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth technology startup and ScaleUp software companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. Since its founding in 1995, Insight has invested in 800+ companies and supported 110+ strategic exits, including 55+ successful IPOs of Insight portfolio companies. Insight’s mission is to find and fund scalable companies and work with visionary executives and founders, providing them with practical, hands-on software expertise that fosters long-term success.

What sets Insight apart from its peers is the firm’s ability to leverage data and pattern recognition, which enables Insight to provide strategic support and scale up exceptional companies at every stage of the growth cycle. Critical to this ability is Insight Onsite, the firm’s ScaleUp Engine, which is comprised of 140+ software-focused operators who work alongside Insight portfolio companies in the areas of talent, sales, marketing, product, engineering, and strategy, and help founders and executives identify and execute key strategic growth initiatives.

Insight also offers Insight IGNITE, the firm’s enterprise technology network trusted by executives from many of the world’s most established businesses to connect, learn, and drive decision-making and business excellence. The IGNITE network offers 2000+ senior IT executives access to like-minded peers and Insight Partners’ enterprise-ready portfolio through bespoke events, briefings, and programming.

“At Insight Partners, it’s our privilege to partner with visionary entrepreneurs and executive teams, empowering them to drive transformative change in their industries through technology and innovation. Our commitment goes beyond capital; we provide hands-on expertise from the software industry’s leading operators to support our portfolio companies at every stage of their growth journey. We’re honored to work alongside our portfolio companies, and we’re proud of the collective impact we’ve made on the software landscape.”—Deven Parekh, Managing Director

 

5. Thoma Bravo (TIE)

 

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest private equity firms in the world with approximately $134 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2023. The firm has a dedicated  Growth platform, which is a fund specifically focused on making minority investments in high-growth software and technology companies. Core to Thoma Bravo’s growth equity strategy is sharing its deep sector knowledge and closely collaborating with portfolio company founders and management teams to drive innovation and performance. Leveraging Thoma Bravo’s 20+ years of investing in software, the Growth platform is uniquely positioned to apply the firm’s operational and strategic expertise to help founders realize their visions and achieve long-term, profitable growth. 

“The Thoma Bravo Growth team is looking forward to our continued collaboration with management teams and founders, from first introductions right through to regular investment discussions on company strategy and operations. It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside these company leaders to encourage innovation and accelerate growth, and—in turn—to be part of transformational advancements in the software and technology space at large.”—Robert (Tre) Sayle, Partner and co-head of Thoma Bravo’s Growth team.

 

6. Sixth Street Growth

 

Sixth Street Growth invests in fast-growing companies with a focus on forming long-term partnerships with market leaders across application software, infrastructure software, healthcare technology, and fintech. The Sixth Street Growth team partners with founders and management teams to provide differentiated capital solutions to accelerate organic and inorganic growth. In 2022, Sixth Street Growth announced the close of its second growth fund totaling $4.4 billion in fresh capital to invest in fast-growing companies. The firm’s dedicated More than Capital portfolio operations group collaborates with management teams on strategic growth drivers, brings expertise and resources to help companies achieve operational excellence, and partners with businesses to evaluate value creation opportunities.

Sixth Street Growth is the dedicated growth investing platform of Sixth Street, a leading global investment firm with over $75 billion in assets under management and committed capital. Sixth Street has invested over $9 billion in more than 70 companies through its Growth franchise since its inception. Select Sixth Street Growth investments include Airbnb, AvidXchange, Bloomreach, Contentsquare, Datavant, Gainsight, Kaseya, Keyfactor, MasterControl, MDLIVE, Spotify, Sprinklr, and SumUp.

“At Sixth Street Growth, we are looking for businesses with impressive organic growth, highly defensive business models, a customer-first perspective, and a shared responsibility between leadership, board, and investors to drive long-term value creation. Despite the macro challenges faced by growth companies, our flexibility, scale, and expertise have paved the way for strong partnerships with software market leaders. We are proud of our team and the companies we have had the privilege of investing with to date, and we look forward to continuing to help companies accelerate and build sustainable long-term growth.”—Michael McGinn, Co-Head of Sixth Street Growth

 

7. Blackstone Growth

 

Blackstone Growth (BXG) is Blackstone’s dedicated growth equity investing platform. They are experienced growth investors backed by the scale, operating expertise, and global reach of the world’s largest alternative asset manager. BXG focuses on providing capital to companies seeking to manage the execution risks associated with high-growth environments. 

Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. The firm seeks to deliver compelling returns for institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which it invests. Blackstone’s more than $1 trillion in assets under management include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, credit, real assets, secondaries and hedge funds.

“When we set out to build BXG, we emphasized the benefits of a curated approach to portfolio construction, partnering selectively with companies of scale with resilient financial profiles that would benefit from Blackstone’s global value-creation resources. This allowed us to remain patient in 2023, working closely with our portfolio companies to help them navigate the rapidly evolving macro environment, and to take advantage of this period of dislocation. We are optimistic that 2024 will bring an increase in deal activity, and we look forward to putting our significant dry powder to work as we identify compelling opportunities.”—Jon Korngold, Global Co-Head of Technology Investing and Head of Blackstone Growth (BXG)

 

8. Bain Capital

 

Since 1984, Bain Capital has been at the forefront of technology investing. It is the partner of choice for innovative businesses looking to accelerate growth, achieve scale, and embrace their full potential. The firm has one of the industry’s only true global tech platforms, enabling it to serve as investment and value-creation partners at every point in a technology company’s lifecycle, from funding pre-revenue seed investments to investing to scale leaders in global markets and everything in between. Professionals across Bain Capital’s tech platform bring deep and diverse experience across industries and geographies to create unique advantages for portfolio companies as they enter new end markets and expand internationally.

“We are privileged to be a trusted partner for category-disrupting founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams looking to unlock opportunities and reach their next stage of growth. Our team is well-suited for the current tech landscape because it relies on deeper diligence and higher engagement to drive value across complex end markets, all supported by the deep experience of Bain Capital’s global tech platform. As we look to the future, we’re excited for the clear opportunities to put that approach to work in support of our portfolio companies across the world.”— Phil Meicler, Partner, Bain Capital’s Tech Opportunities Team

 

9. Silversmith Capital Partners

 

Silversmith Capital Partners is a Boston-based growth equity firm focused on partnering with, and supporting, the best entrepreneurs in growing technology and healthcare companies. Since its founding in 2015, the firm has raised four funds totaling $3.3 billion of capital under management. Silversmith typically invests between $20 million to $125 million in profitable, growing companies that have achieved scale in a capital efficient way and is flexible on deal structure.

Representative investments include ActiveCampaign, Appfire, Apryse, DistroKid, impact.com, Iodine Software, LifeStance Health, Onbe, and Webflow.

“We are honored to be recognized as a Top Growth Equity Firm for the 4th year in a row. Our focus has always been to partner with the best entrepreneurs in technology and healthcare who have achieved scale in a capital efficient way. This award is a testament to the hard work that they and their teams do every day to build and lead great businesses.”—Jim Quagliaroli, Managing Partner

 

10. Vista Equity Partners

 

Vista Equity Partners is a leading global investment firm focused exclusively on enterprise software. Vista has completed over 610 private equity transactions, representing more than $300 billion in transaction value since inception.

In 2023, Vista surpassed $100 billion in AUM. Throughout the year, Vista deployed $9.3 billion across nine platform investments and fifteen add-on transactions and distributed $8.2 billion to investors as a result of 12 monetization events, including the sales of Apptio and Cvent, both for $4.6 billion.

Vista believes that diverse backgrounds and perspectives support better decision making and business performance. At year’s end, the firm was comprised of 52% women and 40% people of color. Within the portfolio, Vista’s external board program, which sources qualified board candidates with a focus on diverse backgrounds, appointed 23 board members, resulting in 96% of Vista majority-owned company boards having at least one woman and 100% having at least one person of color.

“For nearly 25 years, Vista has been committed to partnering with innovative founders and executives to help them realize their company vision while delivering consistent outcomes for all stakeholders. The milestones we achieved in 2023 are a testament to our ruthless prioritization of investment discipline, focus on value creation and commitment to better business through strength in diversity.”—Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO

 

11. Oak HC/FT

 

Oak HC/FT is a venture and growth equity firm investing in companies driving transformation in healthcare and fintech, two uniquely complementary and high-growth sectors. With deep domain expertise and strategic resources, Oak HC/FT partners with leading entrepreneurs at every stage, from seed to growth, to build businesses that make a measurable, lasting impact on these industries. Founded in 2014, the firm has $5.3 billion in assets under management and is headquartered in Stamford, CT, with an office in San Francisco. 

“Our team at Oak HC/FT is made up of purpose-driven investors who work tirelessly to support our vision of driving structural change. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication, and we’re excited to continue our work as a trusted partner to world class entrepreneurs as they scale their businesses.”—Annie Lamont and Andrew Adams, Co-Founders and Managing Partners

 

12. Goldman Sachs Alternatives

 

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) is one of the leading investors in alternatives globally, with over $450 billion in assets and more than 30 years of experience. The business invests in the full spectrum of alternatives including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, hedge funds and sustainability. Clients access these solutions through direct strategies, customized partnerships, and open-architecture programs.

The business is driven by a focus on partnership and shared success with its clients, seeking to deliver long-term investment performance drawing on its global network and deep expertise across industries and markets.

The alternative investments platform is part of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, which delivers investment and advisory services across public and private markets for the world’s leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals. Goldman Sachs has over $2.8 trillion in assets under supervision globally as of December 31, 2023.

Since 2003, Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives has invested over $13 billion in companies led by visionary founders and CEOs. The team focuses on investments in growth stage and technology-driven companies spanning multiple industries, including enterprise technology, financial technology, consumer and healthcare.

 

13. Spectrum Equity (TIE)

 

Spectrum Equity is a leading growth equity firm with offices in Boston, San Francisco, and London. Founded in 1994, the firm has provided capital and strategic support to over 175 innovative software and data services companies spanning multiple industries, from finance and healthcare to cybersecurity and education. 

For 30 years, Spectrum’s deep bench of experience, domain-specific expertise, and track record of productive partnerships have set it apart as an industry-focused growth equity firm. 

Representative investments include Ancestry, Definitive Healthcare, GoodRx, Grubhub, Lucid Software, Origami Risk, SurveyMonkey and Verafin.

“Seeing founders and management teams build enduring, transformative companies is the most rewarding part of our work. We’re grateful to our community of investors, entrepreneurs, executives, and colleagues for three decades of extraordinary partnership.”—Vic Parker, Managing Director

 

13. TCV (TIE)

 

TCV is a leading investment firm focused on investing in global, category-defining technology companies. Leveraging its deep industry expertise and strategic resources, TCV’s mission is to provide long-term capital and support to high-quality management teams across their growth journeys.

Since its founding in 1995, TCV has invested over $18 billion in more than 350 technology companies worldwide and has supported over 150 IPOs and strategic acquisitions. Select investments include Airbnb, AxiomSL, Built, CCC Intelligent Solutions, Celonis, Clio, Cradlepoint, ETQ, ExactTarget, Expedia, Facebook, Fandango, Genesys Software, GoDaddy, GoFundMe, HomeAway, Miro, Netflix, Nubank, OneSourceVirtual, Prodege, Qonto, Relex, Revolut, SilverPeak, Splunk, Sportradar, Spotify, Toast, Twillio, and Zillow. TCV has a global presence in Menlo Park, New York, London and Melbourne.

“Investing in technology and working with entrepreneurs is the greatest possible job in the worlds’ greatest industry. Having stumbled into this industry in 1982, I feel incredibly lucky. Every day brings change, opportunity, challenge and growth.”—Jay Hoag, Founding General Partner

 

14. PSG

 

PSG was founded by Mark Hastings and Peter Wilde in 2014. The growth equity firm partners with software and technology-enabled services companies to help accelerate their growth by capitalizing on strategic opportunities and building strong teams. PSG has backed 135 companies and 479 add-on acquisitions as of February 2024.

PSG brings extensive software and technology-enabled services investment and operational expertise as it collaborates with management teams across its portfolio. PSG’s experience in this market allows the firm to serve as a valuable partner to portfolio companies by helping them scale through organic and inorganic growth strategies. The firm leverages experience across its teams to support entrepreneurs and help management teams navigate growth opportunities.

As of January 2024, PSG has over 250 total professionals and 169 investment professionals across offices in Boston, Kansas City, Toronto, London, Paris, Madrid and Tel Aviv. Between November 2022 and December 2023, the firm invested $1.1B and committed $1.4B completing 14 platform investments and 32 add-ons in North America.

“PSG strives to serve as a true partner to technology companies. Our combination of investment and operational expertise helps scale companies to successfully navigate their growth opportunities. We are honored to be included by GrowthCap as one of the Top Growth Equity Firms.”—Peter Wilde, Co-founder and Chairman and Mark Hastings, Co-founder and CEO

 

15. JMI Equity

 

JMI Equity is a growth equity firm focused on investing in leading software companies. For over three decades, JMI has partnered with exceptional founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams at high-growth software companies to provide flexible capital, industry expertise, and operational support to build businesses of enduring value. To date, JMI has invested in over 180 software businesses in North America and Europe and completed over 115 exits. Today, the firm’s portfolio of industry-leading cloud software companies represents $8 billion in combined revenue, $65 billion in aggregate enterprise value, and over 34,000 jobs. 

“JMI Equity is committed to helping software companies build lasting value and generate long term sustainable growth. We are honored to be recognized by GrowthCap as a Top Growth Equity Firm.”—Peter Arrowsmith, Managing General Partner

 

16. Battery Ventures (TIE)

 

Founded in 1983, Battery is a global, technology-focused investment firm with offices in the U.S., Europe and Israel. The firm practices a collaborative, research-focused style of investing and regularly makes early, growth-equity and buyout investments in the same technology sector. 

Battery is now investing its 14th family of funds, capitalized at more than $3.8 billion, and has raised more than $13 billion since inception. The firm’s core areas of focus are business software, enterprise-IT infrastructure, consumer technology and industrial technology. As of January 2024, Battery has invested in over 500 companies globally, excluding seed-stage deals; its portfolio has staged 73 initial-public stock offerings and seen 204 M&A events. 

The investment staff works together as a single, global unit to evaluate and support potential investments. Every portfolio company—before, during and after an investment—works with a dedicated team of experts to help it grow. In addition to receiving support from board members and the Battery investment team, portfolio companies are supported by a robust portfolio-services organization offering help in areas including executive search, business development, go-to-market, marketing, and other services targeted specifically at growth-stage companies. Battery is also committed to building a strong and cohesive internal culture, and to promoting diversity and inclusion across its network.

“The global Battery team is committed to supporting the talented founders and teams building technology businesses that set new standards, regardless of their growth phase. Our growth-equity team specializes in helping companies to scale in multiple ways, including through M&A, product development, enhancing management teams with top-tier talent and expanding into new markets. Our dedication to the entrepreneurs and leaders we partner with runs deep and we are thankful for every opportunity to contribute our market insights and decades of experience to achieve new and exciting objectives.”—Morad Elhafed, General Partner

 

16. Norwest (TIE)

 

Norwest is a global venture and growth equity investment firm managing more than $12.5 billion in capital. Since its inception, the firm has invested in more than 700 companies and currently partners with more than 230 companies in its venture and growth equity portfolio. Norwest’s growth equity team has a long track record of working with the most innovative companies in the following key sectors: technology (cloud & IT infrastructure, internet & consumer, SaaS), business services, financial services, consumer, and healthcare. The Norwest team offers a deep network of connections, extensive operating experience, and a wide range of impactful services to help CEOs and founders scale their businesses.

“At Norwest, we have the privilege of working collaboratively with founders, CEOs and management teams to help them build enduring companies. Portfolio leaders know us for our “invited guest” approach which centers around offering guidance and resources when they need help, and stepping back when they don’t. We help companies charter their own paths, without wavering from the unique culture and strategy that led them to where they are today. This recognition as a Top Growth Equity Firm is a testament to the commitment of our team and the strength of our partnerships.”—Jon Kossow, Managing Partner

 

17. H.I.G Growth

 

H.I.G. Growth Partners is the dedicated growth capital affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, a global alternative investment firm founded in 1993 with $60 billion of equity capital under management. Focusing on the small-cap and mid-cap segments of the market, H.I.G. Growth invests in growing, technology-oriented businesses across sectors including SaaS, cloud & data software, fintech, healthcare, and technology-enabled services. The firm makes both majority and minority investments throughout North America, Europe and Latin America.

H.I.G. Growth leverages the resources of the overall H.I.G. platform, including over 500 investment professionals, 19 office locations, and over 100 active portfolio companies. Its extensive network and resources include a portfolio operating team that creates value in partnership with portfolio companies, accelerating their growth in areas including talent, go-to-market, digital transformation, and FP&A.

“At H.I.G. Growth, our team focuses on partnering with innovative founders, entrepreneurs, and leadership teams at technology-oriented businesses to create transformational change across industries. Unlike many growth equity firms, we can leverage the broad reach, scale and expertise from 30+ years of investing experience at H.I.G. Capital to be value-add partners, accelerate value creation and help our portfolio leaders scale. We’re thrilled to be recognized as one of GrowthCap’s Top Growth Investment Firms and look forward to continuing our partnership-oriented approach to help deliver outsized outcomes for our companies.”—Ross Hiatt, Managing Director and Head of H.I.G. Growth Partners

 

18. Bregal Sagemount (TIE)

 

Bregal Sagemount is a leading growth-focused private capital firm with more than $6.9 billion of cumulative capital raised. The firm provides flexible capital and strategic assistance to market-leading companies in high-growth sectors across a wide variety of transaction situations. Bregal Sagemount has invested in over 70 companies in a variety of sectors, including software, information/data services, financial technology & financial services, digital infrastructure, healthcare IT, and business & consumer services. The firm has offices in New York, Palo Alto, and Dallas.

“At Sagemount, we collaborate with founders and entrepreneurs to help accelerate growth and create value. We take a custom approach to every investment, combining flexible capital and value-creation solutions to address the unique needs of successful entrepreneurs. We believe our partnership helps deliver outsized outcomes for our companies.”—Gene Yoon, Managing Partner & Founder

 

18. Bregal Milestone (TIE)

 

Bregal Milestone (“Milestone”), founded in 2018 and based in London, UK, is a leading Pan-European Technology Private Equity Manager. Milestone invests and provides operational expertise to ambitious European high-growth technology companies benefiting from secular trends, with a specific focus on software. Milestone aims to generate strong, asymmetric returns for its investors by combining strong downside protection with unlimited upside participation through four main strategic pillars: (i) tech-enabled, data-driven sourcing; (ii) structural advantage; (iii) operational focus with Milestone’s in-house value creation and data science team; and (iv) a strong commitment to ESG. The firm invests equity stakes of €20 to 100 million in profitable, high-margin technology businesses that operate in pan-European markets with structural tailwinds.

“At Bregal Milestone, we work alongside European founders and management teams to provide growth equity and valuable, hands-on operational expertise to help scale businesses into global leaders. With the use of our AI-driven data science team and an unwavering focus on responsible investing practices, our dedicated investment and ‘Milestone Performance Partners’ teams help to support companies as they take the next steps on their journey.”—Cyrus Shey, Co-Founder, Managing Partner

 

19. Advent International

 

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors. The firm has invested in over 415 private equity investments across 43 countries, and as of September 30, 2023, had $91 billion in assets under management. With 14 offices in 12 countries, Advent has established a globally integrated team of over 295 private equity investment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on investments in five core sectors, including business & financial services, healthcare, industrial, retail, consumer & leisure and technology. For 40 years, Advent has been dedicated to international investing and remains committed to partnering with management teams to deliver sustained revenue and earnings growth for its portfolio companies.

“At Advent, we believe that creating value and driving growth requires more than simply capital infusion; it demands strategic insight, operational acumen and a proactive approach to management and collaboration. Our focused sector expertise enables us to better understand and capitalize on the potential of our investments, and we see the strong relationships that we foster with our portfolio companies as essential to capturing and accelerating scale.”—John Maldonado, Managing Partner

 

20. Sageview Capital

 

Sageview Capital, LP is a private investment firm with over $2 billion in assets under management. The firm focuses on partnering with industry-defining innovators to build enduring software and tech-enabled businesses. Rather than apply a formulaic operating playbook to each company, Sageview collaborates with founders and management teams on a custom approach, leveraging the team’s decades of experience, operational expertise, and network. 

As active investors, Sageview runs a concentrated portfolio to help ensure proper dedication to each company, whether to help improve operational efficiencies, scale general and administrative expenses (G&A), build out scale sales & marketing, improve customer success, recruit, hire, and retain top talent, identify M&A opportunities, and help with post-acquisition integration, and/or capital markets and exit opportunities. 

Sageview’s partners have over 150 years of combined investing and operating experience and have sat on nearly 80 corporate boards across various market cycles. In addition to a history of successfully scaling many businesses, historically, the Sageview team has been the single largest investor in every fund, making up over 20% of its invested capital. This significant commitment aligns the firm’s interests with those of its investors and portfolio companies; Sageview’s success truly depends on the portfolio’s success. Every investment matters. 

“Our strategy at Sageview Capital is to back ambitious entrepreneurs with proven products who are seeking a partner to help them scale and achieve a commanding lead in their industries. We look for companies in which our decades of industry experience, Global 2000 network connections, and operational expertise can have a meaningful impact and help create the industry leaders of tomorrow. We run a concentrated portfolio to ensure we have enough capacity to be actively involved in each investment, and over 20% of our capital comes from the Sageview team to ensure our interests are fully aligned.”—Scott Stuart and Ned Gilhuly, Co-Founders and Managing Partners

 

21. Turn/River Capital

 

Turn/River Capital, a leading technology growth equity and buyout firm, specializes in buyouts, spin-outs, growth capital investments, founder liquidity, and recapitalizations of technology, web, and SaaS companies. This San Francisco-based private equity firm is composed of equal parts investors and operators. With deep expertise in sales, marketing, customer success, and finance, its team acts like a software firm. Their operational expertise and proven playbooks allow Turn/River to accelerate portfolio company sales, marketing, and product development.

These proven practices are precisely why Turn/River reliably and rapidly unlocks transformational growth, producing market-leading companies and building lasting value. Turn/River’s continued success reflects the firm’s commitment to driving predictable, sustainable, and profitable growth through go-to-market optimization and driving alignment between founders, executives, and all stakeholders.

“Turn/River’s investment model is based upon our Growth Engineering strategy, and that begins with investing in our team. We look for software builders, inventors, and changemakers who are committed to doing good by our portfolio companies. We strive to identify, empower, and retain talent with a focus on collaboration, long-term value creation, and genuine partnership.”—Dominic Ang, Managing Partner

 

22. Long Ridge Equity Partners (TIE)

 

Founded in 2007, Long Ridge Equity Partners is a specialist growth equity firm focused on the financial and business technology sectors. Leveraging deep sector knowledge and an extensive network of industry resources, Long Ridge serves as a value-added partner to high-growth businesses. Since its founding, Long Ridge’s principals have sponsored some of the most successful growth companies in the financial and business technology sectors, providing leading management teams with partnership, strategic resources, and capital to drive profitable expansion. The firm manages over $1.75 billion of committed capital.

In partnering with bootstrapped, founder-led businesses, Long Ridge has a demonstrated focus on value creation through growth, margin enhancement, and professionalization of its portfolio companies. Long Ridge seeks to add value by providing active, board-level, strategic support centered on growth acceleration (sales and marketing, pricing initiatives), inorganic growth levers (M&A), and enhancement of executive teams and boards.

“Long Ridge is honored to have been selected by GrowthCap as a Top Growth Equity Firm. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional founders and management teams who choose to partner with us in executing their vision. Long Ridge understands the unique challenges and opportunities that emerging leaders face in scaling their businesses, and takes an active, board-level approach to facilitate growth, profitability, and professionalization. We look forward to the continued privilege of supporting world-class companies as they grow and scale.”—Jim Brown, Founder and Managing Partner, and Kevin Bhatt, Managing Partner

 

22. Updata Partners (TIE)

 

Updata Partners is a leading growth equity firm based in Washington, DC, investing in high-growth B2B software businesses where the combination of capital and operating experience will accelerate success. The firm is led by seasoned operators averaging more than 25 years of software experience. Updata has partnered with more than 75 entrepreneurs to date, and has raised more than $1.5 billion in committed capital.

”Updata has a long history of partnering with exceptional founders of capital efficient businesses to accelerate growth and build lasting value. Updata is a firm built and run by software executives, and we take great pride in rolling up our sleeves to drive maximum impact. We are honored to be recognized by GrowthCap as a top growth equity firm.”—Carter Griffin, General Partner

 

23. Mainsail Partners

 

Mainsail Partners is a growth equity firm that invests in growing, bootstrapped software companies. The firm has been investing in bootstrapped companies for more than 20 years with a focus on B2B software that is often the core operating system for the businesses they serve. 

Mainsail has a dedicated Operations Team that is purpose-built to work alongside software company management teams to help scale operations and accelerate growth. Mainsail works closely with portfolio companies to assist with various growth initiatives, including hiring for key management positions, optimizing go-to-market strategies, accelerating product development, M&A execution and much more.

With offices in Austin and San Francisco, Mainsail has raised over $2.2 billion in committed capital and has invested in more than 70 companies.

“We are honored to receive the recognition as a Top Growth Equity Firm by GrowthCap. For more than 20 years, Mainsail Partners has backed bootstrapped founders and management teams, providing them with the best practices and hands-on support needed to scale their companies and accelerate growth. We have deep admiration for these founders and the companies and cultures they have built. As a trusted partner, we take pride in our role striving to develop industry-leading software companies.”—Gavin Turner, Managing Partner

 

24. Brighton Park Capital

 

Founded in 2019, Brighton Park Capital (“Brighton Park”) is an investment firm focused on entrepreneur-led, growth-stage software, healthcare, and tech-enabled services companies. The firm invests in companies that provide highly innovative solutions, and partners closely with experienced entrepreneurs, founders, and management teams to build market leading products and to execute the needed strategies to create important global companies. The firm’s operating centric approach supports these fast growth companies in organizational development, product, go-to-market, business development, and corporate development.

Brighton Park is an investor in many industry-leading companies including Silverfort, LucidLink, Paradox, OPSWAT, Indegene, Xsolis, RocketReach, Coralogix, and HTEC. The firm manages nearly $4 billion and closed its second fund, which was oversubscribed, in 2022. 

“Collaboration is the foundation of our investment approach and what has allowed us to build lasting partnerships with experienced founders and great management teams. We are honored that GrowthCap has recognized our commitment to this strategy by naming Brighton Park a Top Growth Equity Firm for the second year in a row. We look forward to building on our momentum as we continue to deliver highly innovative solutions and drive growth across the software, healthcare, and tech-enabled services industries.”—Mark Dzialga, Managing Partner

 

25. Five Elms Capital

 

Five Elms Capital is a global growth equity firm that invests in fast-growing B2B software businesses that users love. Five Elms provides capital and resources to help companies accelerate growth and further cement their role as industry leaders.

Since firm inception in 2007, Five Elms has focused exclusively on software investing, building an unmatched network and deep domain expertise. Today, with over $2.4 billion in assets under management and a global team of over 70 investment professionals, Five Elms has invested in more than 65 software platforms globally. Five Elms maintains offices in North America and Europe, and typically invests $5-75 million in companies generating $2-20 million in annual recurring revenue.

“For more than 17 years, Five Elms Capital has partnered with innovative founders and CEOs in the B2B software industry. Our journey has been defined by a relentless commitment to accelerating growth and driving value creation alongside the exceptional businesses we partner with. We are honored to be recognized again among GrowthCap’s Top Growth Equity Firms of 2023.”—Fred Coulson, Founder and Managing Partner

 

26. K1 Investment Management

 

K1 Investment Management is a global investment firm that builds category-leading enterprise software companies. With a diverse portfolio exceeding $13 billion in assets under management, K1 is dedicated to fostering growth and innovation within the technology sector. Since its inception, K1 has cultivated partnerships with over 230 enterprise software firms, supporting their success through carefully tailored growth strategies and collaborating closely with visionary entrepreneurs and management teams.

K1 leverages data-driven insights and practical expertise to identify and nurture scalable companies. The firm’s commitment extends beyond financial backing, providing invaluable strategic guidance and operational support to empower executives and founders. Through collaborative initiatives and a deep understanding of the software landscape, K1 facilitates connections, fosters learning, and drives sustainable business growth.

With a focus on building lasting value and fostering meaningful relationships, K1 Investment Management serves as a trusted partner for businesses navigating the dynamic challenges of the technology sector.

“This recognition underscores our dedication to driving transformative change in the industry. We are honored to partner with exceptional entrepreneurs and help them realize their vision for growth and success to build category leading enterprise software companies.”—Mike Velcich, Partner

 

27. Charlesbank Capital Partners

 

Charlesbank’s Technology Opportunities fund focuses on lower middle-market technology investments. They seek to back exceptional managers and companies in situations where the team has a distinct edge, based on thematic initiatives and the team’s deep pattern recognition in technology. The Tech Opportunities team is hyperspecialized in six subsectors: cloud computing, cybersecurity, healthcare IT, fintech, infrastructure software and application software. This team brings decades of relevant experience with valuable sector expertise and a strong emphasis on risk management and value creation.

Founded in 1998, Charlesbank Capital Partners is an established private investment firm with more than $17 billion of cumulative capital raised since inception. The firm is known for its focus on relative value, disciplined approach over multiple business cycles and deep specialization in the middle market. The Technology Opportunities fund was established in 2018 with a dedicated team and is fully integrated into the overall Charlesbank platform, able to leverage the firm’s resources and networks to drive value creation.

“At Charlesbank, we are committed to supporting founders and management teams looking to transform their companies into market leaders. We do this by serving as valuable partners in each company’s journey, providing guidance, expertise and resources in addition to capital. An essential component of our differentiation is our hyper-specialization within specific areas of technology; this allows us to develop and pursue specific thematic initiatives that in turn position us to identify and partner with the most promising companies. We are grateful for the many lasting partnerships we have forged along the way, and we are honored to be recognized for our unique, relative-value investment strategy and our talented team.”—Hiren Mankodi, Managing Director

 

28. Level Equity

 

Founded in 2009, Level Equity is a private investment firm focused on providing capital to rapidly growing software and technology-driven businesses. Level provides long term capital across all transaction types in support of continued growth. The firm has raised $3.0 billion in committed capital, has backed over 100 companies since inception, and is headquartered in New York, NY. 

Level invests across the capital structure in rapidly growing, privately held, capital efficient, technology businesses that it identifies proactively. Level mostly sources its own deals by cold calling tens of thousands of companies to create proprietary investment opportunities and leverage its deep technical stack to source and track opportunities. The firm creates attractive transaction prices and structures and provides senior equity and credit securities with enhanced return features that provide strong downside protection. 

Level’s Operating Partner team, collectively known as NextLevel Operations, provides value-add strategies that allows it to develop world class management teams, financial sophistication, M&A capabilities, and exit readiness for its portfolio companies. 

“We are honored that Level Equity has been named one of the Top Growth Equity Firms two years in a row. 2023 was a productive year for Level despite continuing macroeconomic headwinds. We continue to invest in capital efficient, rapid growth software businesses that seek to lead the markets they operate in and, as always, aim to be the partner of choice for those who have earned the luxury of that choice through exceptional performance. As owners of these great businesses, we strive to provide them with world class operational support and advice as we collectively chase amazing and profitable outcomes.”—Ben Levin, Co-Founder and CEO

 

29. WestView Capital Partners

 

WestView Capital Partners, a Boston-based growth equity firm, is focused on middle market growth companies and manages $2.7 billion in capital across five funds. WestView partners with existing management teams to sponsor minority and majority recapitalizations, growth capital, and consolidation transactions in several sectors including: business services, IT services, healthcare technology and outsourcing, software, and growth industrial. WestView targets investing $20 to $100 million in companies with revenue of at least $10 million and operating profits between $3 and $25 million.

“We are excited to be celebrating our 20-year anniversary in 2024. This milestone is a testament to our WestView team, and the strong relationships we’ve built with the growth company founders we’ve backed, and our investors. We are particularly proud that over 40 of our founders have invested in our funds, which we believe demonstrates the strength of the partnerships we’ve built.”—Matt Carroll, Managing Partner

 

30. Lead Edge Capital

 

Lead Edge Capital is a $5 billion growth equity firm investing in software, internet, and tech-enabled services businesses globally. The firm has invested in a number of major software and internet companies around the world, including Alibaba Group, Arrive Logistics, Asana, Azul Systems, Bazaarvoice, Benchling, Clearscore, Duo Security, Grafana, GrowthZone, Holistiplan, LeanStaffing, LiveView Technologies, Pacemate, Safesend, Signal Sciences, Tempo, Toast, Wise, and YouSign. Lead Edge has invested in more than 100 companies worldwide and has seen over 60 portfolio companies achieve an exit. One of the main drivers of Lead Edge’s success is its unique investor base, a group of 700+ executives, entrepreneurs, and dealmakers who have built and run some of the world’s most successful companies. In addition to providing flexible capital, Lead Edge leverages this global advisory group to connect portfolio companies with the customers, partners, talent, and advisors needed to accelerate growth. Lead Edge Capital was founded in 2011 and has offices in New York City and Santa Barbara.

“From the start we took a very different approach to private equity—our unique LP network and ability to leverage an investor base of 700+ strategic individuals to help our portfolio companies has always been the cornerstone of our strategy. Lead Edge Capital’s mission has always been to serve not just as investors, but as strategic partners to our LPs and the entrepreneurs we work with across the software, consumer, and tech-enabled services sectors. Being recognized as one of GrowthCap’s Top Equity Firms is a testament to the dedication of our LP base, the talent of our portfolio companies’ leadership teams, and the innovative spirit that drives Lead Edge Capital.”—Mitchell Green, Founder & Managing Partner

 

31. Valor Equity Partners

 

Founded by Antonio Gracias in 1995, Valor Equity Partners manages over $15.5 billion of AUM and deploys an operational growth investment strategy focused on identifying, investing in, and operationally supporting companies transforming their industries. Valor seeks to identify and select high-growth, pro-entropic companies where the transition to a technology-enabled economy is an important growth driver. Valor defines a “pro-entropic” company as a business demonstrating the ability to perform and grow across economic and market cycles, unexpected developments, and uncertainty. The firm’s operational growth funds focus on businesses that Valor believes have achieved an inflection point in their ability to scale and are positioned to achieve their market, revenue, and operational goals.

Valor looks to build value through tangible operating improvements by utilizing Valor’s in-house operations team, the “Scale Group.” This team utilizes operational tools and resources (lean, quality systems, growth, and data science) to enhance return potential, provide support, and further develop an information advantage. Valor’s Scale Group has been recognized for its hands-on approach to providing operational support to the companies in which the firm invests. The combination of extensive entrepreneurial and management experience with deep investment expertise uniquely positions Valor to execute its operational growth strategy.

“For over 25 years our teams and our capital has continued to serve exceptional founders, entrepreneurs, and companies that are making the world a better place. We are privileged to continue to partner with a broad range of exceptional founders and CEOs while providing them with the operational resources to help their companies scale and accelerate growth.”-Antonio Gracias Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Investment Officer

 

32. HealthQuest Capital

 

HealthQuest Capital is a private asset firm that provides capital to transformative healthcare companies. HealthQuest focuses on commercial prospects that drive enhanced patient outcomes and elevate the efficiency of healthcare delivery. With approximately $2 billion in capital under management, the firm focuses on fostering innovation across the healthcare spectrum, including medical technologies, diagnostics and tools, digital health, and innovative services. The HealthQuest team combines decades of investing experience with domain expertise in the various aspects of the healthcare industry.

“Since our founding in 2012, we’ve had the opportunity to work with many transformative healthcare companies and founders, and we are honored to be recognized for our work. Our mission is to invest in companies that optimize value in healthcare by improving patient outcomes, enhancing efficiency and/or lowering costs. We believe in partnering with these companies and leveraging our capital, ecosystem, and the operational expertise of our team to drive value and adoption.”—Garheng Kong, Managing Partner

 

33. PeakSpan Capital

 

PeakSpan Capital is a leading growth equity firm investing exclusively in high-growth business-to-business (or “B2B”) software companies. With $1.5 billion in assets under management (“AUM”) and a team of 18 investment professionals (27 total) across their San Mateo and New York City offices, PeakSpan has supported 43 software businesses, realizing 16 full and partial exits since its founding in 2015. 

PeakSpan is committed to its mission of being the partner of choice for best-in-class, emerging growth-stage software entrepreneurs and teams who are looking to scale sensibly and capitalize on strategic, high-quality market opportunities. Through a highly focused and proprietary data-driven strategy, PeakSpan partners with scale-up software entrepreneurs with the goal of delivering the best risk-adjusted outcomes. PeakSpan leverages its deep domain (spanning 13 BluePrint Market Themes) and stage expertise, proprietary and patented technology platform and consultative approach to drive strategic initiatives, and an on-demand network of over ~300 operating advisors through their PeakSpan Expert Community (“PEC”) program, which provides for superior operational support across key strategic initiatives such as go-to-market, product strategy, organizational model best practices, industry or practitioners perspectives, and more.

“We’re incredibly grateful to receive this recognition as one of GrowthCap’s Top Growth Equity Firms of 2023 alongside some remarkable firms that we deeply admire and respect. We founded PeakSpan nearly a decade ago with a desire to be the partner of choice for best-in-class, emerging growth-stage software entrepreneurs and teams. This recognition is self-actualizing – it’s a reflection of the hard work of our team in tirelessly pursuing our mission and impossible without the unwavering support of our incredible stakeholders who have entrusted PeakSpan to help deliver exceptional risk-adjusted outcomes.”—Philip Dur, Co-Founder and Managing Partner

 

34. Pamlico Capital

 

Founded in 1988, Charlotte-based Pamlico Capital seeks growth and buyout investments of up to $200 million alongside founders and proven leaders across four target industries: communications, healthcare, services and software. The firm closed its most recent fund in 2020 at the hard cap of $1.4 billion. Over the past 35+ years, Pamlico has invested almost $5 billion in over 130 platform acquisitions, and has built a reputation of being a founder-friendly, long-term focused investor that prioritizes partnership with its management teams. The firm takes a comprehensive and collaborative approach with each of its portfolio companies, helping with initiatives like strategic planning, portfolio best practice sharing, go-to-market strategy, human capital and M&A advisory. Pamlico’s culture is rooted in a people-first mentality, which has contributed to its longstanding team and 22-year average partner tenure.

“At Pamlico, we work hard to stay focused on our core purpose—building great companies, partnering with exceptional people, and staying true to our core beliefs. We are proud of the long-term partnerships we continue to build with our founders and management teams, and the lasting value we create together at their companies. This recognition from GrowthCap is a testament to our team’s hard work, and we are honored to be in such good company.”—Eric Wilkins, Partner

 

35. Volition Capital

 

Volition Capital is a Boston-based growth equity firm established in 2010 that focuses on investing in high-growth, founder-owned companies across the software, internet, and tech-enabled consumer sectors. In 2023, Volition Capital announced the close of its fifth fund consisting of $675M in capital commitments, bringing its assets under management total to over $1.7B. The firm’s portfolio comprises over 50 companies globally with recent deals including Digital Onboarding, a SaaS company helping financial institutions deepen their customer relationships, HAAS Alert, a company with the largest commercially deployed connected vehicle network powered by its Safety Cloud® digital alerting platform, and Mozaic.io, a global payments platform for co-creators. Volition Capital prioritizes taking “smart risks” with hardworking founders who have operating discipline and aspirations for greatness for the most prosperous human-first business collaborations. 

“Volition Capital is driven by an investment thesis rooted in helping our founders fulfill their dreams without risking them. We maintain that we are more than capital investors. We are partners in this journey celebrating the wins and navigating the challenges together. As a top growth equity firm, we are committed to arming our portfolio companies with the resources they need for measured growth, cultivating strong teams, and creating lasting value in our partnerships. This recognition alongside other impactful growth equity firms underscores our growth and diligence in continuing to drive innovation in our core industries.”—Sean Cantwell, Co-Founder and Managing Partner

 

36. Centana Growth Partners

 

Centana Growth Partners is a growth equity firm with deep, relevant sector experience investing in and working with companies in financial services, fintech, and related enterprise software. Centana empowers its portfolio companies by providing industry expertise as well as access to a broad strategic network of operating executives and key stakeholders across the financial services ecosystem—the Centana Strategic Network. Tailoring investments ranging from $10 to $40+ million, Centana doesn’t use a standard investing formula, opting for a personalized and adaptive investment structure designed to meet the needs of founders, management teams, and their stakeholders. The firm’s deliberate size ensures that portfolio companies benefit from dedicated time, attention, and hands-on support, creating a synergistic relationship that supports long-term growth.

“Since founding Centana in 2014, our team endeavored to build our reputation as a leading growth equity firm focused on shaping the future of financial services. With our combined decades of diverse experience, our team has consistently delivered strategic and enduring value to our partners across the financial services and related enterprise software spectrum, from established institutions to fintech disruptors. Our commitment remains steadfast in empowering our portfolio through the provision of capital, expertise, and a robust network to accelerate their growth. We are honored to be recognized by the team at GrowthCap, alongside our respected peers.”—Eric Byunn, Co-Founder and Partner

 

37. Guidepost Growth Equity

 

Guidepost Growth Equity (“Guidepost”) is a leading growth equity firm based in Boston that manages ~$1.6 billion of capital commitments across three funds. Guidepost partners with entrepreneur-led technology businesses, focusing on application software and data services and infrastructure software and tech-enabled services. Guidepost invests between $15-75 million of equity as a minority or majority investor and provides the flexible capital, operational support and strategic guidance necessary to enhance the continued growth of its companies.

Guidepost provides portfolio company operational support through its Value Creation Group (“VCG”) which is focused on four critical areas for growth stage companies: Product & Technology, Strategic HR, Sales & Marketing, and Strategy & Operational Finance. Guidepost has developed best practices, maturity models and an operating advisor network available to its investment partnerships across these functional areas. The firm is exclusively focused on partnering with entrepreneur-led companies utilizing technology to transform dynamic markets. As a trusted partner to its companies, Guidepost works closely with these entrepreneurs to build strong independent Boards of Directors, augment management teams, evaluate strategic options, and provide critical operational and financial support.

“At Guidepost, we are focused on partnering with bootstrapped, entrepreneur-led enterprise software and technology-enabled businesses demonstrating significant organic, profitable growth and typically $10-$50 million of revenue scale. We build trusted minority or slight majority partnerships with our management teams through impactful strategic, financial, and operational assistance entirely at this stage of growth. The expertise of our Value Creation Group (“VCG”) is a key differentiator in this part of the market, where Guidepost’s relationships with executives in our core industry groups provides crucial functional assistance in the areas that are often underdeveloped for growth stage companies and that are required to build to $100M+ of revenue scale.”—Gene Nogi, Partner

 

38. Optum Ventures

 

Optum Ventures is the independent venture fund of UnitedHealth Group. Optum Ventures invests in digital health companies that use data and insights to help improve consumers’ access to healthcare services, how care is delivered and paid for, and that make the health care system more reliable and easier to navigate. 

“Optum Ventures was created to develop a comprehensive and strategic presence in the startup landscape in anticipation of increased healthcare innovation at this stage. In this role, we are fortunate to work with passionate innovators across the healthcare ecosystem—from large market players to early-stage startups—all working towards making the healthcare system more affordable, accessible, efficient, and equitable for all. Cross-industry partnerships have the power to move innovation forward and through this lens, I am incredibly proud of OV’s progress to date and even more excited for what the next ten years will bring.”—Laura Veroneau, Managing Partner

 

39. NewSpring Capital

 

NewSpring is a lower-middle market focused private equity firm that partners with the innovators, makers, and operators of high-performing companies in dynamic industries to catalyze new growth and seize compelling opportunities. The firm manages approximately $3.5 billion across five distinct strategies covering the spectrum from growth equity and control buyouts to mezzanine debt. Having invested in over 200 companies, NewSpring brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources to take growing companies to the next level and beyond. Partnering with management teams to help develop their businesses into market leaders, NewSpring identifies opportunities and builds relationships using its network of industry leaders and influencers across a wide array of operational areas and industries.

“Our CEOs and management teams do amazing things every day. From technology and software development to bending the healthcare cost curve, the lower-middle market companies we work with shape their industries and the world at large, and NewSpring proudly empowers that innovation. Our entrepreneurial passion drives our investment and partnership approach, and that passion permeates every aspect of what we do. We’re honored to receive this recognition from Growth Cap and look forward to putting more capital to work growing dynamic businesses.”—Marc Lederman, Co-Founder and General Partner

 

40. Edison Partners

 

Edison Partners provides the financial and intellectual capital that CEOs and their executive teams need to grow and scale their companies. The firm’s team brings more than 275 years of combined investing, operating and sector experience to each investment, accessible via the Edison Edge value creation platform, which is tailored to each business’ strategy, stage and operating needs. Edison targets high-growth vertical SaaS, financial technology, and healthcare IT companies located outside Silicon Valley with $10 million to $30 million in revenue. Initial investments range from $10 million to $40 million and include minority, buyouts, recapitalizations, spinouts, and secondary stock purchases. Edison’s active portfolio has created aggregated market value exceeding $10 billion, and the firm manages $1.7 billion in assets.

“We’re honored to be recognized again by GrowthCap as a Top Growth Equity Firm. When we launched our growth equity strategy a decade ago, we sought to address an unmet need in middle-market private equity, leveraging a 25+ year history investing in tech ecosystems outside Silicon Valley. Our ‘old-school,’ disciplined approach resonates with CEOs, executive teams and our customers alike, prioritizing capital-efficient growth that’s tied to the business’ strategy, not fund size, and value creation that puts people first.”—Chris Sugden, Managing Partner

 

________________________

Copyright: The Top Growth Equity Firms of 2023 publication is copyrighted material, produced and published by GrowthCap, LLC. For information pertaining to content permissions, please refer to GrowthCap’s award usage regulations.

DisclaimerThe data provided in this publication is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, endorsement, nor recommendation. GrowthCap believes the information in this publication to be accurate but does not verify its accuracy independently and does not warrant or guarantee that it is accurate or complete. GrowthCap has no obligation to provide any updates or changes to the information. No investment decisions should be made using this information.

Growth Investor Weekly

Discover unique insights from growth investors and leading executives.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Top Go Back
© 2024 GrowthCap, LLC. All rights reserved.

Sign up for GrowthCap Insights