The Bootstrap Difference

“We are owner-operators who honor the legacies of bootstrapping entrepreneurs by unlocking the potential of the companies they built.”

Investment Approach

  • We are experienced, successful entrepreneurs
  • We have a long-term horizon
  • We provide day-to-day leadership
  • We will partner with entrepreneurs to implement a succession plan

Investment Approach

Size:

  • Revenue from $5 to $10 million
  • EBITDA from $750,000 to $1.5 million

Ownership:

  • Control Preferred

Sectors:

  • Business services, distribution and light manufacturing / assembly
  • Defensible, measurable differentiation or niche market position

Stages:

  • Mature and growth stage companies

Location:

  • Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Colorado

Difference


The Bootstrap Difference

> We are experienced, successful business leaders who have successfully bootstrapped our own companies through the early development and growth stages. We have repeatedly driven exceptional growth and value creation in the companies we have run and ultimately sold. While many private equity firms offer support to a fulsome portfolio of companies through their positions on their boards of directors, we actually step into the most senior leadership positions. We really do brew the coffee and turn on the lights.


“My experience working with the Bootstrap partners has always been positive and productive for my clients because of their highly informed and precise insights and analysis. I highly regard Bootstrap’s principals and partners for their willingness to give of their time to add value to any client meeting.” – Rita W. Garry, SmithAmundsen


This approach makes us ideally suited for situations where owners are either looking to retire or are willing to relinquish control in exchange for the leadership needed to unleash their companies’ full potential.

Additionally, because we invest our own capital, we have a long-term investment horizon and can focus on building businesses from the foundation on up. This luxury makes us exceptional stewards of the companies that the former owners in many cases founded and built from scratch.

  Bootstrap Capital Typical Private Equity
Holding Period Indefinite Constrained by fund termination date
Capital Sources Our own capital Third-party limited partners
Portfolio Companies Small, bootstrapping companies Minimum EBITDA above $5 million
Capabilities Successful entrepreneurs Financial engineers
Roles Day-to-day leadership Member of Board of Directors