Blackford Capital, a leading lower middle market private equity firm, is proud to be named to Inc. Magazine’s Founder-Friendly Investors list for 2024. Blackford Capital is one of only three Michigan-based private equity firms included among the 269 investment companies on the prestigious list. Companies on the list have demonstrated successful track records of collaboration and remain actively involved with the founders they partner with.
“We’re honored to be recognized for the second year in a row. This award highlights our commitment to building lasting partnerships with entrepreneurs and management teams, helping them achieve their business goals and drive long-term growth,” said Martin Stein, Blackford Capital’s founder and managing director. “Our inclusion on the 2024 Inc. Founder-Friendly list reflects the trust we’ve developed with the families and founders we work with and the reputation we’ve built in the industry over the past 14 years.”
Since its inception in 2010 by Martin Stein, Blackford Capital has acquired, grown, and successfully exited founder- and family-owned lower middle market companies with revenues ranging from $5 million to $250 million. The firm has developed 17 platforms and completed approximately 33 add-ons and ten exits overall. Blackford Capital focuses exclusively on majority controlled leveraged buyouts of industrial, consumer products, and value-added distribution companies. Under the ownership and operation of Blackford Capital, these portfolio companies have grown to become industry leaders, thriving in each of their industries across 10 U.S. states, the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, as well as Ireland, Germany and China, employing more than 2,000 individuals.
To compile the list, Inc. went straight to the source: entrepreneurs who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms. Introduced in 2019, the Founder-Friendly Investors list has established itself as one of Inc.’s most resourceful franchises. It serves as a go-to guide for entrepreneurs who want to grow their companies while retaining an ownership stake.
To see the complete list, visit Inc.com: www.inc.com/founder-friendly-investors/2024
About Blackford Capital
Founded in 2010, Blackford Capital is a private equity investment firm and Registered Investment Advisor headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Blackford acquires, manages, and builds founder and family-owned, lower middle-market companies, with a focus on the manufacturing, industrial and distribution industries. Blackford has a track record of exceptional returns, a disciplined and relentless approach to value creation, and a focus on operational excellence and a compelling culture. In 2023, Blackford Capital was named to Inc’s list of Founder-Friendly Investors, was recognized by ACG Detroit with the 2023 M&A Dealmaker of the Year Award and awarded the 2023 Small Markets Deal of the Year award by both Buyouts Magazine and the Global M&A Network Atlas Awards. In 2024, Blackford Capital was recognized on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list and Blackford Capital’s acquisition of PACIV was selected as the International M&A Private Equity Deal of the Year by The M&A Advisor. For more information, visit www.blackfordcapital.com
About Inc.
The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community they need to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.