Private equity firms have made significant inroads in North Carolina, offering unique investment opportunities with diverse portfolios. They operate in various sectors, including technology, real estate, and various other industries, offering value-added services such as debt and equity financing for buyouts, digital transformation strategies, and acquisitions. North Carolina, with its strategic location and favorable business environment, has seen the influx of these firms scaling new heights, promising more development, and fostering economic growth. Forecast indicates a positive growth trajectory for the private equity industry in this region, underpinning the possibilities of fresh investment opportunities.


Top 20 private equity firms in North Carolina

1. Crosslake Technologies

  • Website: crosslaketech.com
  • Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Debt Financing
  • LinkedIn

Crosslake Technologies is a solutions-driven global advisory firm that specializes in providing technology due diligence, digital transformation strategy, and technology value optimization services to private equity investors and their portfolio companies. With a team of industry experts, Crosslake offers executive leadership consulting to accelerate technology value creation throughout the mergers and acquisitions process. They utilize a proprietary platform and data-driven insights to deliver objective recommendations and inform strategic value creation initiatives.


2. Eller Capital Partners

Eller Capital Partners is a private equity real estate firm focused on investing in multifamily assets in major markets within the Sunbelt region of the United States. With over $1 billion in real estate transactions, the company specializes in all aspects of real estate acquisition, renovation, development, property management, and disposition.


3. Five Points Capital

  • Website: fivepointscapital.com
  • Headquarters: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1997
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Five Points Capital is a provider of debt and equity capital for buyouts, recapitalizations and acquisitions in the lower middle market. They focus on long-term partnerships and offer flexible solutions to build value and support growth.


4. Summit Park

Summit Park is a Charlotte-based private investment firm focused on the lower middle market. They provide companies with access to capital, strategic guidance, acquisition support, and additional resources to help them grow. They partner with owners, entrepreneurs, and superior management teams to build companies of extraordinary value. Their focus is on well-positioned, profitable companies in the services, consumer, and industrial growth industries.


5. C2C Private Investment Company

  • Website: c2cpic.com
  • Headquarters: Cary, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1978
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

C2C Private Investment Company (C2C) is a well-networked private investment firm that specializes in M&A transactions and has the flexibility to be opportunistic in various stages and industries. C2C focuses on acquiring businesses with revenue and assets, while seeking successful exits via IPO. C2C also provides multi-family office, venture capitalist, private equity group, merchant banker, hedge fund, and M&A advisory services.


6. Ridgemont Equity Partners

  • Website: ridgemontep.com
  • Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1993
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Ridgemont is an investment partner that helps companies accelerate their growth and achieve shared growth objectives. They provide strategic support, M&A opportunities, and resources to help businesses succeed.


7. Front Street Capital

Front Street Capital is a full-service development, asset management, and private equity real estate company. With a successful 30-year track record, they have developed or acquired nearly $850 million in income-producing property across various asset classes.


8. Cherokee Investment Partners

Cherokee Fund Ventures is a company based in Raleigh, NC. Their website provides limited information about the company and its offerings.


9. Pamlico Capital

Pamlico Capital is an investment firm specializing in the lower middle market. With over 30 years of experience, they partner with management teams to accelerate growth and scale. They work closely with executives to build market-defining companies.


10. The Preiss Company

  • Website: tpco.com
  • Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1987
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn

The Preiss Company is a leader in the ownership and management of multifamily and student housing communities nationwide, providing an unparalleled living experience and a best-in-class investment platform.


11. Barings

  • Website: barings.com
  • Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1989
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Ipo
  • LinkedIn

Barings is a global investment manager offering differentiated opportunities in fixed income, real estate, and specialist equity markets. With over $349 billion in assets under management, Barings is committed to sustainable practices and responsible investment.


12. QHP Capital

  • Website: qhpcapital.com
  • Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2022
  • Headcount: 1-10

QHP Capital concentrate on tech-enabled life sciences and pharmaceutical service companies that help reduce total healthcare costs, meet unmet medical needs, reduce unnecessary procedures, improve efficiency, and improve patient quality of life.


13. Kian Capital Partners

  • Website: kiancapital.com
  • Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Kian Capital is an investment firm that offers growth capital and private investment services to companies. They work closely with management teams, providing resources and expertise to accelerate growth and achieve long-term success.


14. Salem Investment Partners

  • Website: salemip.com
  • Headquarters: Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1999
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Salem Investment Partners is an investment firm that specializes in debt and equity investments in privately-held, middle market businesses. With over $450 million under management, Salem Investment Partners has completed over 150 investment transactions in various sectors and business cycles.


15. Carousel Capital

Carousel Capital is an investment firm based in Tampa, FL that offers sophisticated and customized solutions to their clients.


16. Stone Arch Capital

Stone Arch Capital is a Minneapolis based private equity firm that specializes in control equity investments in private businesses across various industries in the Midwestern United States.


17. Teall Sports & Entertainment

  • Website: teallcapital.com
  • Headquarters: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2020
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Teall Capital Partners is actively building a portfolio of investments in innovative, high-growth potential lifestyle brands and services.


18. CAP | Carolina Acquisition Partners

  • Website: cap.investments
  • Headquarters: Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2021
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

CAP Advisors is a brokerage firm that specializes in directing equity investments in privately owned businesses. They provide services for both buyers and sellers in the lower middle market arena.


19. AH Equity

  • Website: ahequity.com
  • Headquarters: Hickory, North Carolina, United States
  • Headcount: 51-200

AH Equity Investments is a holding company in the United States, founded in 2011 with the intention of never selling. They acquire profitable, privately-held companies with a record of revenue and earnings growth, with a plan to sustain that growth.


20. Robertson &a; Foley

Robertson & Foley is a top private investment banking firm specializing in providing finance solutions to middle market companies worldwide. They offer consulting services for business transfers, capital raises, and management buyouts and also provide certified business valuations.


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