Webuiltourfirmtohelpyoubuildyours

Our goal is simple: to help you multiply the scale and value of your business.
We invest in durable businesses with demonstrated growth and predictable revenue. We focus on the quality of the business, the commitment of the team, the duration of the end-market opportunity and alignment with our values. We use technology in new ways to enhance the customer experience and competitive advantage in all our investments.
top-asset

Quality over quantity

We seek businesses with proven strengths in their customer relationships, service portfolio, business model and talent. We have a high bar for quality and we are comfortable concentrating our resources behind a small group of companies where we can have impact.

Invest in value drivers

The most important factors in growing business value are the ability to grow your business ahead of competitors and maintain high returns on capital. This manifests in growth and durability of underlying cash flows. This is where we focus our efforts as your partner.

Consolidate your market

We believe it is better to be a consolidator than to be consolidated. Businesses consolidate their position in their market both organically as well as through inorganic, or acquisition-driven, activities. We have deep experience pursuing both approaches.

Technology enablement boosts competitive edge.

Those who use technology well are equipped to compete; those who do not will be at a disadvantage.
Every business should leverage technology for competitive differentiation. Those who don’t lead risk falling behind; technology can enhance operating efficiencies and strengthen customer relationships. We specialize in using technology to build business value.
Types of investments we consider
Founder owned
Founded to invest in founders.
Founded to invest in founders.
Red Iron was purpose-built to meet founders’ needs and support their journey.

The private equity industry is not geared to support the founder’s journey. We designed our fund structure, team, time horizons and the creativity of our investment approach to meet the needs of owners and operators who have invested their lives into building their businesses. Whether actively running your business day-to-day or not, we have a flexible approach to meet your liquidity needs.
Privately held
Flexible capital for
privately-held companies.
Flexible capital for privately-held companies.
No two businesses are the same. Every investment must meet the specific needs and objectives of the business owners.

This is core to the Red Iron ethos.

Whether a family business or an investor-backed company, we take a flexible approach to structuring investments to meet the needs of the owners. This includes near-term liquidity and, if desired, longer-term value participation and liquidity options. 
Divestiture or carve-out
Divestitures require
experienced hands.
The sale of a business unit or subsidiary requires experienced hands.
A successful divestiture or carve out requires an aligned operating team and capital partner to continue building the business and investing accordingly. Complex transactions require an investor who understands how to meet the needs of the parent company, keep the team together and avoid disrupting the customer experience.

At Red Iron, our understanding of the complexities and situational idiosyncrasies of divestitures and carve-outs is based on deep experience.
Public company in transition
Patient capital for public-to-private transitions.
​​Microcap public companies are sometimes better suited to be private.
A take-private transaction can create opportunities to unlock value.

At Red Iron, we work with teams to step away from the public eye to realign efforts around long-term value building. This generally includes investing in talent, customers and the service/product portfolio.

OurInvestmentCriteria

FINANCIAL PROFILE
Revenue
We target companies with up to $150 million annual revenue, although we will consider larger businesses when the fit with our strategy is strong.
Profitable
We target companies with annual cash flows up to $15 million, although we will consider businesses with cash flows in excess of that when the fit with our strategy is strong.
Predictable
We seek companies with a life-cycle relationship with their customers, generally manifested with recurring or re-occurring revenue that is predictable.
GROWTH
Organic
A history of organic growth is a key factor in our criteria.
Expansion Potential
We look for businesses with the potential to expand their addressable market organically and through strategic acquisitions.
MANAGEMENT
Industry Expertise
Management teams should be hands-on experts, highly passionate about their industries.
Commitment to Growth
We look for management teams delivering market-leading, durable growth.