SSM Partners

SSM Partners is a Memphis, Tennessee-based private equity firm with a long-standing history, having been founded in 1994. The firm specializes in providing growth capital to companies primarily within the software, healthcare IT, and tech-enabled business services sectors. Their investment philosophy centers on partnering with strong management teams to help scale businesses and create long-term value. SSM Partners targets companies that have demonstrated significant traction, typically those with annual revenues ranging from $5 million to $20 million, indicating their focus on established, yet growing, enterprises.

As a growth equity investor, SSM Partners typically provides capital for expansion, market penetration, product development, or strategic acquisitions. Their typical first check investment size ranges from $10 million to $30 million, reflecting their commitment to substantial, impactful investments in their portfolio companies. The firm is flexible in its investment structure, considering both minority and majority positions, depending on the specific needs and goals of the company and its founders. This adaptable approach allows them to tailor their involvement to best support the growth trajectory of their partners.

Over its nearly three-decade history, SSM Partners has successfully raised multiple funds, accumulating over $1 billion in total capital committed across its various investment vehicles. Their most recent fund, SSM Partners VIII, closed in 2021 with $275 million in commitments, underscoring their continued ability to attract significant institutional capital. This robust funding base enables SSM Partners to provide not only initial growth capital but also follow-on investments to support their portfolio companies through various stages of expansion. Their consistent fundraises and long operational history solidify their position as a reliable and experienced partner in the growth equity landscape.