Morgenthaler Private Equity

MPE Partners, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, with an additional office in Boston, Massachusetts, is a private equity firm specializing in lower middle market leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and build-up investments. The firm primarily targets entrepreneur- and family-owned businesses, as well as corporate divestitures. Their investment strategy is concentrated on two specific sectors: high-value manufacturing and commercial & industrial services, where they seek to acquire controlling interests and collaborate closely with management teams to drive growth and operational improvements.

The firm's investment criteria typically focus on companies with an enterprise value ranging from $25 million to $200 million. Within this range, MPE looks for businesses demonstrating strong fundamentals and an EBITDA between $5 million and $30 million. Their approach involves providing strategic capital and operational expertise to help portfolio companies achieve their full potential, often through organic growth initiatives and add-on acquisitions that expand market reach or service offerings.

MPE Partners has a robust fundraising history, underscoring its established presence and investor confidence in its strategy. The firm has successfully raised four funds to date, accumulating committed capital of over $1.7 billion. Their most recent fund, MPE Partners Fund IV, closed at its hard cap of $635 million in 2023, reflecting significant demand from limited partners and a strong track record of returns.

For initial equity investments, MPE Partners typically writes checks ranging from $20 million to $75 million. This positions them as a key financial partner for lower middle market companies seeking significant capital for growth, ownership transitions, or strategic initiatives. Their focus on specific sectors and a proven investment model allows them to provide tailored support to their portfolio companies.