Blue Wolf Capital Partners LLC, established in 2005, is a New York-based private equity firm specializing in lower mid-market investments. It focuses on companies with annual revenues exceeding $50 million, operating in sectors such as energy, healthcare, industrial, manufacturing, transport, and distribution across the United States and Canada. Blue Wolf targets companies facing complex challenges, including financial distress, operational restructuring, or significant legal and regulatory issues. It invests in control positions, typically ranging from $10 million to $250 million in equity, and seeks to lead at the board level. The firm's strategy involves leveraging its expertise in managing relationships with complex constituencies, such as government and labor, to drive organizational change and create value. Blue Wolf typically exits its investments through sales to strategic or financial buyers.
Bolster Investment Partners is a private equity firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1982. It specializes in long-term investments, primarily focusing on minority interests in exceptional Dutch companies. Bolster seeks to invest in firms across various sectors, including manufacturing, services, and trading, emphasizing those with a clear focus and proven business models.
The European Innovation Council (EIC), established in 2020 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, is dedicated to supporting high-potential innovators, entrepreneurs, small enterprises, and researchers. Its primary focus is on fostering early-stage startups that demonstrate significant environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts. The EIC collaborates with private investors to co-invest in ventures, particularly within the deep technology sector, aiming to drive innovation and sustainable development across Europe. By providing financial backing and resources, the EIC seeks to enhance the growth potential of promising startups and contribute to a more innovative and competitive European economy.
WhiteHawk Capital Partners, established in 2020, is a private credit investment manager specializing in asset-based financing solutions for middle-market private and public companies across diverse industries. The firm focuses on providing creative and flexible non-traditional capital to address the liquidity and growth needs of its clients. WhiteHawk offers senior secured financing through various structures, catering to purposes such as refinancing, recapitalization, growth, acquisitions, restructuring, and bridging financial gaps. Its expertise spans multiple sectors, including commercial services, transportation, financial services, retail, energy, and e-commerce, among others.
Ares Commercial Finance is a lender based in Tarrytown, New York, specializing in asset-based cash flow solutions for small to middle-market companies. As a subsidiary of Ares Management Corporation, it offers a range of financing options, including asset-based revolving lines of credit, term loans, secured debt, and equipment financing. The firm tailors its services to meet the diverse capital needs of clients across various sectors, such as manufacturing, distribution, retail, wholesale, and services. Ares Commercial Finance is committed to providing creative and flexible financing solutions, including working capital financing, bridge financing, turnaround financing, and acquisition financing, thereby supporting the growth and evolving requirements of its borrowers.
TriWest Capital Partners, established in 1998, is a Calgary-based private equity firm that invests in mid-market companies across Canada. Focusing on the service, manufacturing, and distribution sectors, TriWest targets businesses with annual revenues between $10 million and $200 million and EBITDA ranging from $10 million to $100 million. The firm typically seeks majority stakes and holds investments for four to seven years. In addition to capital, TriWest offers operational and transactional expertise to create shareholder value. Since its inception, the firm has raised over $775 million in committed capital.
Katapult Ocean is a venture capital firm established in 2018 and based in Oslo, Norway. The firm focuses on investing in sectors that positively impact the ocean, including food and agriculture, frontier technologies, harvesting, ocean energy, ocean health, and transportation. As a prominent player in the field of ocean impact investing, Katapult Ocean aims to foster innovations that contribute to sustainable ocean practices and environmental stewardship.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.
EASME is a European Union executive agency that supports small and medium-sized enterprises and promotes innovation in Europe. It manages projects in the areas of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the environment, energy, and maritime sectors, funded by COSME, LIFE, and EMFF. EASME organizes the European Sustainable Energy Week and serves industries such as environmental management, energy production, and maritime activities.
Bridgepoint, established in 1984, is a London-based private equity firm with a global presence. It specializes in growth investments, offering tailored strategies such as middle-market buyouts and private credit. The firm focuses on various sectors, including advanced industrials, business services, financial services, consumer, healthcare, and technology. Bridgepoint's investment range typically falls between GBP 10 million to GBP 75 million, supporting around 20 companies valued between GBP 30 million to GBP 150 million. It also provides syndicated debt offerings and manages credit opportunities. With bases in eight European private equity markets and operations in New York and Shanghai, Bridgepoint is a significant player in the global private equity landscape.
ArcelorMittal is a global steel and mining company, specializing in the production of steel and iron ore. It operates through segments such as North America, Brazil, Europe, and Mining, with the majority of its revenue generated from the Europe segment. The company's product portfolio includes hot-rolled and cold-rolled coil, coated products, tinplate, plate, slab, long products, tubular products, and wire rods, serving diverse industries like automotive, construction, packaging, and household appliances. ArcelorMittal is committed to developing technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of steel, aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050.