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.
INSTITUTIONAL PEDIGREE
Institutional Expertise, Built for Founders.
FCL was founded by leaders who have advised the boards and executives of some of the world’s largest companies. Today, we bring that same discipline, experience, and execution capability to founder-led businesses in the lower middle market.
$55B+
IN TRANSACTIONS LED OR ADVISED BY FCL'S LEADERSHIP
CLIENTS OUR LEADERSHIP HAS ADVISED
Logos represent clients advised by FCL’s leadership during prior roles at global financial institutions. They are the property of their respective companies and are used for reference purposes only. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement of or affiliation with FCL Capital Partners.
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 -
2026 Edition
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
How founder-led businesses accelerate growth through strategic acquisitions, operational integration, and long-term value creation — without losing control of what they’ve built.
Learn More