Open Prairie

Open Prairie is a private equity firm primarily focused on providing capital to growth-oriented companies within the agriculture, food, and agribusiness sectors. Headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, with an additional office in Chicago, the firm positions itself as a strategic partner for businesses poised for expansion. Their approach extends beyond mere capital deployment, encompassing advisory and strategic planning services designed to foster long-term growth and operational efficiency within their portfolio companies.

The firm's investment strategy targets businesses that demonstrate strong management teams and significant growth potential. Open Prairie typically engages with companies in the growth equity, late-stage venture, and private equity stages, seeking to provide capital for various purposes including organic growth initiatives, strategic acquisitions, and corporate recapitalizations. They often pursue either a significant minority stake or a controlling interest, indicating a hands-on approach to their investments.

Financially, Open Prairie's typical first cheque size ranges from $5 million to $20 million, making them suitable for established, scaling enterprises rather than early-stage startups. They specifically look for companies that are already generating substantial revenue, with a target range generally between $5 million and $50 million in annual revenue. This focus on more mature companies within the vital agriculture and food supply chains underscores their commitment to sectors with robust market fundamentals and opportunities for value creation through strategic capital infusion and operational guidance.