ABOUT
Approach Overview
Sunlake Capital LLC is a private investment firm focused on long-term private equity investments in family- and entrepreneur-owned companies that possess a sustainable competitive advantage.
Partnership Approach
Sunlake prefers to invest in situations where management continues to own or is incentivized with a meaningful equity position in their company. Sunlake also considers minority equity investments when accompanied by control rights. For all investments, we invest a significant portion of our own assets, which ensures shared impact of decision making and the truest alignment of incentives and risks. Read More
Long-term Investment
Sunlake has the flexibility and willingness to hold its investments longer than most private equity firms. At the same time, we also accommodate our management partners' desire for personal liquidity and career transitions. Our long-term vision also extends to company legacies, making us ideal stewards of family-owned businesses. Read More
Operational Improvement
Presence of a lasting value proposition is paramount to our investment strategy. We identify companies’ competitive advantages and take a deliberate approach to operational improvement with those attributes in mind. We are passionate about leveraging technology, organization, and efficient access to information.
ABOUT
Partnership Approach
Better Partners for Management
We invest our capital and resources alongside management’s to forge uncommon alignment. Sunlake's Principals have a track record of strong bonds and working relationships with owners and management.
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Friendly, honest, and respectful negotiations
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Responsive working relationships
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Hands-on when we are needed, hands-off when we are not
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Respect for employees and family legacy
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Prioritize Retention and/or Sharing of Equity
Whether it’s a transition to the next generation, provision of liquidity to a retiring partner, or capital infusion for growth, Sunlake prefers to invest in situations where management continues to own or is incentivized with a meaningful equity position in their company. Sunlake also considers minority equity investments and co-investments with like-minded sponsors.
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Invest Our Own Capital
Sunlake invests the capital of its Principals, representing a meaningful portion of their personal assets. Investing our own capital signifies true conviction in target companies. Sunlake may also invest the capital from our proprietary group of individuals or institutions that we feel have a vested interest in a candidate company or can add value.
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More Flexible Capital
Sunlake’s model allows it to make investments that are suited to candidate companies rather than a fund mandate. We are open to investing in majority control equity, minority equity with control rights, co-investment, and debt-equity structures, among other alternatives.
Companies are Our Core Assets and Primary Focus
Sunlake’s primary focus is on partnering with management teams to grow the cash flow and value of our portfolio companies. Sunlake is able to retain great companies for the long-term and achieve liquidity for our ownership partners through recapitalizations and other liquidity events.
ABOUT
Long-term Investment
Long-term Investment Horizon
The flexibility of Sunlake to accommodate long-term investment horizons benefits businesses and strengthens management partnerships. Not all businesses follow the same growth curve. We believe that imposing a short-term time-horizon on an operating business may constrain value creation. Applying the right operational and financial levers often requires the patience to implement them prudently or capture their full potential.
Stewardship of Company and Family Legacy
Our long-term strategy allows us to follow-through on our respect for company legacies. We pride ourselves on being ideal stewards of family- and entrepreneur-owned businesses.
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Liquidity Opportunities for Managers and Owners
Sunlake recognizes the benefits of facilitating liquidity for our management and ownership partners throughout an investment period. We utilize recapitalizations, special distributions, and other alternatives to allow our partners realize the monetary fruits of their effort and appreciate the potential for more.
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Attentive to Under-served Industries and Situations
Our investment term underwriting and holding periods are generally longer-term than in conventional private equity. Our long-term investment style affords us the ability to focus on industries and situations that are often overlooked or under-served by the private equity community.