Investors

Post Trellis Ventures provides minority equity stakes in leveraged buyouts, partnering with self-funded searchers and independent sponsors aiming for long-term growth and acquisitions. The firm focuses on co-investment alongside acquisition entrepreneurs.

Shareholder Ventures provides $250,000 to $750,000 equity investments to acquisition entrepreneurs buying $3-12 million small businesses using SBA 7(a) financing, addressing the succession crisis facing aging business owners. Led by CEO Jordan Fliegel, who serves on the Center for American Entrepreneurship's Entrepreneurs Council, Shardholder Ventures offers deal screening, early diligence assistance, and post-close advisory support including back-office resources and operator networks.

Smash VC invests in small to medium-sized business acquisitions, providing equity capital to self-funded searchers and independent sponsors. The firm focuses on SMB deals in the lower middle market.

communEtA is an investment firm that provides value-added capital to acquisition entrepreneurs, focusing on facilitating control acquisitions of established businesses. The firm supports self-funded searchers and independent sponsors with equity and operational guidance.

Main Street Capital Network (MSCN) is an equity co-investment syndicate of over 250 lower middle market investors — including funds, family offices, business owners, and professionals — providing capital to independent sponsors and self-funded searchers acquiring small businesses. Run by Grant Hensel's Entrepreneurial Capital, a $12M fund founded by a successful searcher, MSCN targets businesses with $750K to $10M in EBITDA and offers investors a single platform to present co-investment opportunities. Beyond capital, the network provides operational expertise during the transaction and post-acquisition phases.

NextGen Growth Partners is a private equity firm that partners with talented entrepreneurs to acquire and build successful companies in growing industries. The firm provides equity capital and operational support for lower middle market acquisitions.

Siwa Capital is a Los Angeles-based family office investing in search funds, ETA, and independent sponsors. The firm provides flexible capital and real-world experience for searchers.

Penstock Equity is a Birmingham, Michigan-based provider of equity capital focused exclusively on independent sponsor-led transactions. Founded in 2022, they invest $1-5M in minority equity positions for lower middle market business acquisitions.