Experience compounds.
We partner with founders and operators of growing businesses to preserve what makes them exceptional while providing flexible capital, operating expertise, and long-term perspective to build enduring value.
The Grizzly Difference
Capital should fit the business.
Our team has worked as operators, lenders, investors and board members. That breadth of experience informs how we assess risk, structure capital and understand the tradeoffs behind a company's growth plan. The goal is not to fit a business into a financing template. It is to build a capital structure around the company's strategy, operating realities and long-term objectives.
Purpose-built. Mission-driven. Flexible capital for the lower middle market.
Includes experience gained by members of the Grizzly team at prior firms.
Strong businesses need partners who understand how they work.
Grizzly Growth Capital is a U.S.-focused growth capital partner for established lower-middle-market companies with capable management teams, demonstrated demand and a credible plan to scale responsibly. We provide capital for expansion, capacity investment, technology and systems modernization, acquisitions and other clearly defined strategic priorities.
Our perspective has been shaped from multiple sides of the table. We know a capital structure can work in a model and still be wrong for the company. We work with founders and management teams to align the financing with the business, its objectives and the realities of execution, while management continues to lead.
Our focus is on industrial, technology-enabled and business services companies, particularly those whose growth strengthens domestic capacity, improves supply-chain resilience or supports strategically important capabilities. Grizzly is veteran-founded, and our culture reflects the accountability, preparation and follow-through shaped by military service.
Our Investment Philosophy
We underwrite the business, not just the transaction.
Every investment begins with a clear understanding of how the business works, what the growth plan requires and how the capital can be structured to support it. We consider not only the amount of capital, but also the timing, payment obligations, flexibility and economics that determine whether the structure works in practice.
The FORGE Framework
Alignment
Partner with founders and management teams to align around the growth plan, use of capital, ownership objectives and a shared view of long-term value creation.
Excellence
Bring practical operating perspective to help management strengthen execution, prioritize the capabilities required for the next stage and build sustainable competitive advantages.
Favor durable business models and thoughtful capital structures that give companies room to invest, adapt and navigate economic cycles.
Provide flexible capital to support disciplined expansion, strengthen capabilities, pursue acquisitions and translate proven demand into achievable scale.
Value
Help build stronger, more capable companies with the systems, flexibility and alignment to create lasting value for founders, management teams, employees and investment partners.
What We Invest In
Proven businesses. Clear plans. Capital for a defined purpose.
We invest in established, profitable companies with experienced management teams and a clear plan for the next stage of growth. We are best suited to situations where capital has a defined purpose — whether to expand capacity, modernize operations, support an acquisition or address another strategic priority.
Investment Parameters
What We Look For
A capable management team with a clear and credible growth plan.
Established operations supported by visible, recurring or repeat revenue.
Strong cash generation and a financing structure that can support the company's operating realities and objectives.
A defensible market position where capital can unlock the next stage of development.
Industries
- Aerospace and defense
- Industrials and manufacturing
- Logistics and infrastructure
- Technology-enabled products and services
- Business and government services
Uses of Capital
- Organic growth and capacity expansion
- Technology, systems and operational modernization
- Acquisition financing
- Recapitalizations and selective shareholder liquidity
- Management-led, independent-sponsor and sponsor-backed transactions
Investment Structures
Debt Capital
Senior and junior debt, including unitranche and bank-partnered financing structures.
Structured Minority Equity
Preferred equity, warrants and other non-control equity participation, where appropriate.
Customized Capital Solutions
Tailored combinations of debt and equity structured around the company's growth plan, capital needs and ownership objectives.
We generally do not pursue speculative business plans or structures that depend on a near-term sale or refinancing to succeed.
The Team
Experience from different sides of the business.
Grizzly brings together professionals with experience in lending, principal investing, operations, finance and board governance. Each brings a distinct perspective to underwriting, structuring investments and working with management teams.
More than 20 years of experience lending to and investing in middle-market businesses. Former Managing Director at St. Cloud Capital, where he led investments and served on more than ten boards. U.S. Army officer, deployed to Afghanistan. MBA from UCLA.
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More than 20 years of lower-middle-market investing and operating experience. Former Partner at Centerfield Capital. Process engineer background in medical devices, energy and nuclear industries. MBA from Indiana University, BS in Chemical Engineering from MIT.
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18 years of experience as an investor, lender, operator, CFO, restructuring professional and board member. Combines investment underwriting with direct responsibility for finance, operations, treasury and portfolio performance. MBA from Columbia, BS from USC.
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More than 30 years in finance, corporate development, risk management and institutional financial leadership. Senior roles at Wells Fargo. Senior officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. MBA from Carnegie Mellon, MS from the Naval War College, BA from UCLA.
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Start a conversation.
Whether you are considering capital for growth, modernization, an acquisition or another strategic endeavor, we welcome the opportunity to learn more about the business and what you are working to accomplish.
Tell Us About the Opportunity
Not sure where to begin? Send us a brief note and a member of the team will be in touch.