PRAIRIE CAPITAL
PRAIRIE CAPITAL is a Series C+ and buyout fund in the US and Canada writing $25M–$45M checks into Fintech, Healthcare, business-services, consumer-products, education, industrial-growth, marketing-services, niche-manufacturers, specialty-chemical, technology, food-businesses and enterprise-applications.
- Stages
- Series C+, buyout
- Sectors
- Fintech, Healthcare, business-services, consumer-products, education, industrial-growth, marketing-services, niche-manufacturers, specialty-chemical, technology, food-businesses, enterprise-applications
- Check size
- $25M–$45M
- Invests in
- US-wide, Canada
- Round role
- Leads rounds
- Actively investing
- Yes
- Founded
- 1997
- Assets under management
- $2.1B
Thesis
Prairie Capital is a private equity firm founded in 1997, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a nationwide investment focus in the United States and Canada. The firm operates as a growth-focused, control equity investor, partnering with founder-owned companies that demonstrate strong growth potential and benefit from macro tailwinds. Their strategy involves being the first institutional private equity investor, providing expertise, resources, and thought partnership to build scalable platform companies. They target companies with revenues between $30 million and $125 million+, and EBITDA between $4 million and $15 million+. Their typical investment per deal ranges from $25 million to $45 million+. Prairie Capital focuses on the lower end of the middle market, often partnering with management or other PE investors for recapitalizations or buyouts. They invest across a diverse range of sectors including Business Services, Consumer Products, Education, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrial Growth, Marketing Services, Niche Manufacturers, Specialty Chemical, Technology, Food Businesses, and Enterprise Applications. As of May 2026, they have committed capital of $0.9 billion and completed over 72 platform investments. Previous funds include Prairie Capital VI ($350 million) and five prior funds that invested over $525 million in more than 90 companies. Another source indicates $2.1 billion in AUM across 36 funds. As of December 31, 2025, Prairie Capital Management managed $1.74 billion in discretionary client assets and had approximately $3.8 billion in assets under advisement. The firm is employee-owned through an ESOP implemented in 2012.
Common questions
Does PRAIRIE CAPITAL invest at the Series C+ stage?
Yes. PRAIRIE CAPITAL lists Series C+ and buyout among the stages it invests in.
What check size does PRAIRIE CAPITAL write?
PRAIRIE CAPITAL writes $25M–$45M checks.
Where does PRAIRIE CAPITAL invest?
PRAIRIE CAPITAL invests in the US and Canada.