– Atlanta-based private equity firm Eagle Merchant Partners (“Eagle” or the “Firm”) has closed its second fund, Eagle Merchant Partners Fund II, with $415 million in capital commitments.
– The fund was oversubscribed and closed above its original hard cap in seven months.
– Fund II attracted strong support from institutional investors, family offices, high net worth individuals, and members of Eagle’s team.
– The fund continues Eagle’s strategy of making control investments in founder-owned companies across the Southeastern United States.
– Focus sectors include franchise, multi-unit, and commercial services.
Eagle has developed deep networks and an extensive presence in the Southeast over two decades.
– The Firm partners with business owners seeking their first institutional capital to accelerate growth.
– Stockton Croft, Partner and co-founder, highlighted the Southeast as an attractive economic region with strong demographics and a fragmented lower middle market.
– Bill Lundstrom, Partner and co-founder, emphasized owners’ positive response to Eagle’s experience, sector expertise, and ability to transform companies into market leaders.
– Fund II provides capital and resources to invest in more high-quality companies across the Southeast region.
– Eagle targets opportunities where it can be the company’s first institutional partner, offering capital and operational support.
– Operational support includes investing in leadership and infrastructure, geographic expansion, and strategic add-on acquisitions.
– Eagle’s team building and execution focus have driven successful value creation across multiple platforms.
– Eagle’s inaugural $266 million fund closed in July 2023 and is fully deployed across eight platform investments.
