Closing Corner

Our mission is simple: to share the success stories of emerging managers and extract their invaluable insights. In the world of emerging managers, the path to fund closing can be challenging, yet deeply rewarding. At Closing Corner, we shine a spotlight on recent fund closings (Funds I, II, or III) by emerging managers who have navigated these challenges with expertise and tenacity. Through these insights, we aim to educate, inform, and inspire emerging managers currently raising funds or those with aspirations for the future. Discover the strategies, innovations, and dedication that lead to fund closing success, and let these stories light the path to your own triumph in the world of being an emerging manager.

Stay tuned for the latest fund closing stories, and join us in celebrating the achievements of emerging managers as they carve their names in the Closing Corner of success.

Compass Group Equity Partners closes fund oversubscribed at more than $400M

Updated: May 14, 2024

“Raising two oversubscribed funds in two years can only be done after persistent hard work and dedication from the team that delivers on our strategy of thematic research, proprietary deal sourcing, partnering in value creation, and ultimately successful outcomes.  The support from our limited partners validates our investment strategy, our people, and the strength of our portfolio. We are honored to have the support both new and existing investor enabling us to continue our mission to grow great companies.” – John Huhn, Founder and Managing Partner

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Clearhaven Partners Raises $580 Million Fund II

Updated: April 22, 2024

“Our mission has been clear and consistent since day one – to invest exclusively in growing software businesses who seek an operationally oriented partnership with our team, and to do so while maintaining an uncompromising set of shared values. This mission carries directly into Fund II.” – Michelle Noon, Founder and Managing Partner

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Saothair Capital Partners Closes Inaugural Fund at $125 Million

Updated: March 5, 2024

“We launched fundraising on our inaugural fund in late May 2023 only after testing the waters with potential anchors. When the response was favorable, we transitioned quickly into a full fundraising process, but one that was focused on the right type of partners for long-term success in building our franchise. Momentum built quickly, we exceeded our initial target within 3 months, and we closed at our hard cap within 5 months of launch.

I attribute the success of our fundraise to (a) having a truly differentiated strategy as a deep value / special situations buyer, focused exclusively on manufacturing where our team has decades of experience, (b) a long-term relationship between the founding partners, bringing complementary expertise in dealmaking and operations, and (c) outstanding partners in our placement agent Pacenote and legal counsel McGuireWoods, each of whom demonstrated their commitment to working with us and helped attract premier institutional investors.” – Kevin Madden, Co-Founder

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Forward Consumer Partners closes first fund at $425M hard cap

Updated: January 26, 2024

“Launched in June 2023 and closed in December 2023, Forward Consumer Partners’ Fund I exceeded its target and closed at its $425 million hard cap, with support from a diverse base of respected global investors. Forward held a single close for Fund I and did not use a placement agent. The firm’s mission is to invest in powerful brands that make beloved products.” – Matt Leeds, Founder & Managing Partner

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Shore Capital Partners closes first industrial fund oversubscribed at more than $150M

Updated: December 20, 2023

“We appreciate the continued support from our existing and select new limited partners. Our fifth Healthcare and first Industrials fund were oversubscribed during a challenging economic backdrop, demonstrating investors’ trust in the performance and portability of Shore’s microcap strategy for growing small and medium sized businesses. Closing Industrials Fund I expands our focus on niches poised for growth to five industries: healthcare, industrials, food & beverage, business services, and real estate.”

“Shore will continue partnering with great entrepreneurs to grow faster with less risk, through access to capital, world-class board and operational resources, and unmatched networking, development, and shared learnings across the portfolio. With these new funds, we look forward to growing the Shore family beyond the 35,000+ team members, operating partners, and founders we’re partnered with today.” – Justin Ishbia, Co-Founder and Managing Partner

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Granite Creek closes Fund III at $300M

Updated: November 30, 2023

“We are grateful for the support we have received from our investors, many of whom have supported us since our founding in 2005. The robust investor interest in FlexCap III is a tribute to the important role that our firm plays in supporting the growth of the small businesses that fuel the American economy.  Our team’s operational and financial guidance is highly valued by the companies in which we invest and is the key ingredient to the strong absolute and risk-adjusted returns that we seek. With the close of Fund III, our team is well prepared to execute on our healthy pipeline of opportunities.”

“Granite Creek’s focus on growth investing creates opportunities, as more businesses who might sell outright in a buoyant market are instead now choosing to take on a minority partner.  We are a good fit for this market and for talented entrepreneurs that are interested in capital, because we give them the freedom to run their business, and help them achieve major success.” – Mark Radzik, Co-Founder and Managing Partner

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BluePeak Capital closed inaugural private credit fund at $156M

Updated: October 30, 2023

“It’s a remarkable achievement for a firm that was launched less than 3 years ago. As we celebrate the final closing of the fund, our team remains unwavering in our mission to build partnerships that deliver attractive returns by supporting impactful growth across Africa.” – Walid Cherif, Co-founder & Managing Partner

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Bansk Group closes Fund I at $800M

Updated: September 25, 2023

“We are thrilled to have closed our first fund at $800M in this challenging market. Our focus on the most recession-resistant corners of the consumer sector, in combination with our team’s operating and investing skills, really resonated with investors.  Additionally, we were able to complete some transactions throughout our fundraising, which was very helpful in our process.” – Brian O’Connor

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Eagle Merchant Partners I, LP closes at $265M

Updated: September 21, 2023

“We believe our strategy of focusing on being the first institutional investor in founder-owned companies in the Southeast, combined with our pre-fund track record resonated with LPs.  It was helpful to our efforts to have an early anchor investor that enabled us to build the portfolio as we were meeting with new investors… In addition, we were able to continue building our team throughout the process adding five new professionals across portfolio support, sourcing, and deal execution.” – Stockton Croft, Co-Founding Member & Partner

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