Blackford Capital, a leading lower middle market private equity firm, today announced that the company hasbeen named a Best of MichBusiness honoree in the Finance category.
The Best of MichBusiness Awards program celebrates the companies and individuals that make Michigan a great place to live and work. This year, the awards categories rise above the traditional to spotlight companies who have disrupted the status quo, made a real difference in Michigan, and showed outstanding leadership in a time of social and economic uncertainty.
“As a company that was born and bred in West Michigan, receiving Best of MichBusiness recognition is an incredible honor, and a testament to our entire team,” said Martin Stein, Blackford Capital’s founder and managing director. “It not only recognizes our deep Michigan roots and our growing reputation for innovation and excellence in the lower middle market private equity industry, it also is a celebration of one of our most successful years since the firm’s founding in Grand Rapids in 2010.”
Since inception, Blackford has deployed just under $300 million of equity and built a group of diversified portfolio companies that generate more than $550 million in annual revenues 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.
“I’m proud of the Blackford team for their hard work and commitment to excellence in serving our portfolio companies, our investors, and our Western Michigan community,” said Stein.
Blackford Capital will be recognized alongside other 2023 Best of MichBusiness honorees at a winner’s reception in Livonia, MI, on November 16, and will be featured in the 2024 January/February issue of Corp! Magazine.
To learn more about Blackford Capital, please visit blackfordcapital.com.
About Blackford Capital
Founded in 2010, Blackford Capital is a private equity investment firm 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, a disciplined and relentless approach to value creation, and a focus on operational excellence and a compelling culture. M&A Advisor Awards named Blackford the Private Equity Firm of the Year in 2022, 2021 and 2018, and also awarded Deal of the Year honors in 2017 and 2015 and named Martin Stein Private Equity Professional of the Year in 2016. Blackford was also recognized by ACG Detroit with the 2023 M&A Dealmaker of the Year Award and won the 2023 Small Markets Deal of the Year by both Buyouts Magazine and Global M&A Network Atlas Awards. Several of Blackford’s portfolio companies have been included on the Inc. 5000. For more information, visit blackfordcapital.com.
About MichBusiness
MichBusiness, formerly MBPA, is dedicated to helping small businesses across Michigan succeed through valuable resources, educational programs, high-impact events, and more. For more than three decades, as the Michigan Business and Professional Association, the organization’s mission and history of successful business partnerships have positively impacted more than 150,000 businesses. For more information, visit michbusiness.com.