A Trusted Private Equity Partner for
Founder-Led Businesses
M&A expertise and hands-on value creation to help your business grow – before or after a transition
FIT & FOCUS
Who We Partner With
We invest in established, founder-led businesses who want a trusted partner to scale, transition, or recapitalize their company
Founder-Led &
Family-Owned
Businesses where the founder still plays a central role and wants a trusted partner for the next chapter
EBITDA:
$2M–$20M
Lower middle-market companies with strong margins (15%+ preferred) and consistent cash flow
Core
Sectors
Business Services, Consumer, and Manufacturing with proven business models
Transition
or Growth
Founder retirement, succession, de-risking, or scaling with a strategic partner.
Not sure if you fit our criteria?
Book a confidential call and we’ll give you honest feedback in 30 minutes.
VALUE CREATION
How We Create Value Beyond the Transaction
FCL combines institutional-quality M&A expertise with hands-on operational support to help founder-led companies grow long after the deal closes. Our Value Creation Platform gives you the playbooks, leadership, and strategy to move confidently into your next chapter.
- M&A Expertise
We help structure, negotiate, and execute transactions founders shouldn’t have to learn alone.
- CEO-in-Residence Network
Experienced operators available to support transitions, lead teams, and accelerate growth.
- Buy & Build Strategy
Accelerate growth through add-on acquisitions that expand capabilities, geography, and market share.
- Founder-Aligned Terms
Majority and minority recapitalizations with meaningful rollover equity to keep interests aligned.
- Value Creation Engine
Playbooks for pricing, sales optimization, organizational structure, and financial discipline.
WHY FCL
Why Founders Choose FCL
Founder-First Partnership
Clear communication, transparent expectations, and deal structures around your goals, not a rigid fund mandate.
Deep Operating & M&A Expertise
Hands-on support from partners who understand diligence, integration, and long-term value creation.
Transition Support
Support for immediate or gradual transition plans, including access to a CEO-in-Residence.
Fast & Fair Process
No bureaucracy. Straightforward timelines, honest feedback, and efficient execution.
CASE STUDY
Founder Success Stories
Scaling a Founder-Led Truck Driving School
Situation
Founder-led CDL training business in a fragmented, high-growth market.
Value Creation
Majority partnership focused on operational discipline, new locations, franchising, and add-on acquisitions.
Outcome
Scaled into a multi-state platform positioned for durable, long-term value creation.
INVESTMENT CRITERIA
Investment Criteria at a Glance
Ideal Profile
- EBITDA: $2M to $20M
- Strong Margins (15%+ ideal)
- Founder-led or family-owned
- U.S. or Canada
- Fragmented markets
- Reasonable growth prospects
- Majority or minority investments
- Owner rollovers encouraged
Core Verticals
Business Services
Consumer
Manufacturing
INSIGHTS
Founder Resources
Thinking about an exit, recapitalization, or growth partner? Start with these resources.
Founder’s Guide to Selling Your Business
A practical, founder-friendly guide to understanding valuations, deal structures, and how buyers think.
Donwload the Guide
Exit Readiness Quiz
A quick assessment to gauge how prepared your company is for a potential sale or recapitalization.
Take the Quiz
Majority Recapitalization Explained
How majority recaps work, and when they make sense for founders.
Learn More