is to help searchers run great businesses and lead great lives by investing with and mentoring traditional search funds
Our Passion
About Us
Our Why
We were traditional searchers that love the model, and love the community
We want to give back in a way that will help future searchers realize their full potential
We believe the searcher's first time operating should be rewarding. We will be their biggest fans and strongest supporters
Our Method
We'll communicate clearly so searchers know after 1-2 calls if we're in or we're out
We aim to represent 7.5%-10% of the Phase I fund
We target $500k-$750k Phase II pro-rata
We invest in US & Canada-based companies
Our How
We've assembled a distinguished team of search operators to support our searchers as mentors and to potentially serve as board members
We'll provide curated resources and valuable insights from what we've learned as operators
Meet the Team
A seasoned search fund investor and operator, Ned acquired EZRack in 2015 through a traditional search fund and subsequently sold the company two times over the next 8 years. Following his latest exit, he's been dividing his time as a board member, mentor, coach and investor, helping searchers and CEOs live their dreams. Ned received his MBA and MA in foreign policy from University of Michigan.
He spends most of his time in Manhattan Beach, CA with his wife and three children and can be found on the beach most weekends.
In 2018, Will acquired Peerless Events & Tents through a traditional search fund, serving as CEO until exiting to a strategic in 2023. Will has been investing in search funds since 2019 and has enjoyed taking a more active role as a mentor and supporter of searchers since exit. Will received his MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management.
Based in Austin, TX, Will & his wife love great food and live music and can be found most weekends walking their two dogs around the Greenbelt.
Our Operating Mentors
Here to provide guidance and support, our Operating Mentors make our searchers more effective from Day 1. From drafting their first investor update to efficiently running leadership meetings, our Mentors—former searchers and successful operators—have likely seen it before and are excited to help every step of the way!
Barrett Foster
Barrett acquired In Charge Electrical Services through a traditional search fund in 2015 and continues to serve as CEO. Under his leadership, the company has grown over 10x through organic and add-on acquisitions, operating in Texas, Arizona, Florida, and South Carolina. An Ernst & Young Central Texas Entrepreneur of the Year awardee in 2020, Barrett also sits on several search fund boards. He holds an MBA from Kellogg and lives in Austin, TX.
Mike McGlade
Mike acquired Redline Automotive Merchandising in 2019 through a traditional search fund. He used Redline's cash flow to build and exit a software company, Predian, growing its ARR from ~$480k in 2018 to $4.5m in 2024 before selling to a strategic buyer. Mike continues to run Redline post-exit. He holds an MBA from HBS and is based near Philadelphia in South Jersey.
Brian Williams
Brian closed the largest traditional search transaction to date, acquiring FIMC in 2017. He and the team have since doubled the business, and he continues to operate it. Brian received his MBA from Kellogg and is based in Sarasota, FL.
Our Role on the Searcher’s Journey
Basic
Add your pricing strategy. Be sure to include important details like value, length of service, and why it’s unique.
Intermediate
Add your pricing strategy. Be sure to include important details like value, length of service, and why it’s unique.
Advanced
Add your pricing strategy. Be sure to include important details like value, length of service, and why it’s unique.
Our Values
By providing clear & honest feedback and doing the right thing for searchers we build relationships that last a life time
-
We believe in open and honest communication, encouraging independent thinking from an operator's perspective
-
We prioritize the development of the searcher over short term wins and strive to do right by them
-
We mentor first-time CEOs, helping them grow their business and supporting them throughout their journey to a better life
Let’s Work Together!
We’ll move quickly to make a decision and then we’re with you for the journey!
We're happy to provide feedback and insights before and during the fundraising process including cap table composition and writing your PPM
If you're already fundraising, send us your PPM and we'll be able commit within 1-2 calls