MERIT CAPITAL PARTNERS MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

Thesis

Merit Capital Partners Management, L.L.C. is a private equity firm founded in 1993 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm specializes in providing flexible capital solutions, primarily through equity and subordinated debt, to middle-market companies across the United States. Their investment strategy focuses on partnering with high-quality, established businesses in the manufacturing, distribution, logistics, and services sectors. Merit Capital is open to both control and non-control equity investments, as well as subordinated debt, and can sponsor transactions or work with independent sponsors. Typical transaction types include management buyouts, recapitalizations, acquisition financings, shareholder liquidity events, growth financings, and ESOPs. They generally target companies with an EBITDA of at least $4 million for new platform investments, with an investment size of at least $20 million, and between $15 million and $60 million. They explicitly exclude start-ups, turnarounds, real estate financings, specialty retailers, and oil and gas opportunities. As of December 31, 2025, Merit Capital managed approximately $1.4 billion in fund assets. Fund VII, activated in August 2021, garnered $550 million in capital commitments.

Related lists

• Series C+ investors based in Chicago, IL