Hunter Search Capital
Since 2010, we have partnered with over 100 talented entrepreneurs who share our passion for acquiring and growing small businesses, be it through a traditional search fund or an alternative Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) structure, including committed capital vehicles and long term holds. In partnership with these entrepreneurs, we have invested in and achieved meaningful growth with more than 70 companies, generating significant returns to shareholders.
MD Clarity provides price transparency software for healthcare and is based in Seattle, WA. Dan Freeman, a Stanford GSB 2020 graduate, closed the acquisition in September 2021 as part of a traditional search focused on software. Prior to his MBA, Dan worked in various roles in energy, international trade, and counterterrorism for the US government. Hunter Search Capital invested in the acquisition of MD Clarity in September 2021.
GLP Canada is a 65-year-old specialty HVAC distributor headquartered in Oakville, Canada. With warehouses in Ontario and Alberta, the company distributes HVAC equipment nationwide. Cameron Roblin & Philip Desrochers, both INSEAD MBA graduates, closed the acquisition in February 2022 through a traditional search fund focused on the Canadian market. Hunter Search Capital was an early partner in their search journey and invested in the acquisition of GLP Canada in February 2022.
GLP Canada is a 65-year-old specialty HVAC distributor headquartered in Oakville, Canada. With warehouses in Ontario and Alberta, the company distributes HVAC equipment nationwide. Cameron Roblin & Philip Desrochers, both INSEAD MBA graduates, closed the acquisition in February 2022 through a traditional search fund focused on the Canadian market. Hunter Search Capital was an early partner in their search journey and invested in the acquisition of GLP Canada in February 2022.
Olivia Utt is the CEO of Belle Vie Wellness & Medical Aesthetics, a medical spa that offers a range of procedures and treatments aimed at enhancing individuals' appearance and well-being, including skin repair, anti-aging treatments, laser therapies, injectables, and overall body wellness. Hunter Search Capital invested in Belle Vie in June 2023.
Best Self is a five-site medical spa with locations in San Diego, CA and Bellingham, WA. Austin Settle, a Stanford GSB 2020 graduate, closed the initial acquisition in December 2021 after a search focused exclusively on the medical spa industry. Prior to her MBA, Austin was an investor at Warburg Pincus. Hunter Search Capital invested in Best Self in December 2021, and Lacey Wismer serves on the board.
We endeavor to partner with entrepreneurs who are enthusiastic about the ETA journey, who are thoughtful and intentional about their entrepreneurial path, and who are ready to work as hard as we are to find the optimal company for them to buy - one that sparks an entrepreneurial fire and will foster their growth and success as a CEO.
Personal Mentorship
We are true thought partners and mentors throughout the journey, drawing from our extensive experience serving on boards across a broad range of industries.
Deep relationships form the foundation of our partnerships. These begin well before we formalize our partnerships and endure long after. We invest meaningful and regular time with our entrepreneurs throughout their journeys.
Tailored Support
We understand that every ETA journey is different, and we tailor our engagement and support accordingly. We provide resources along the entire journey, from search fund launch to closing an acquisition to post-acquisition board work and value creation acceleration.
How we support each entrepreneur varies depending on individual strengths and needs and where we identify that we can be most additive.
Relevant expertise
We are resource hubs, opening our networks and making industry-specific and value-add introductions. We also have a group of talented Advisors with deep experience to further support our CEOs.
Flexible capital
We support entrepreneurs pursuing a range of ETA paths, from traditional search funds to committed capital vehicles, including multi-acquisition strategies and holding companies, to those who want a single, committed investor partner.
Explore our Portfolio Companies to see the range of investments we've made.
Michael is the Founder of Streetlight Capital, which invests in search funds and other forms of entrepreneurship through acquisition. Through Streetlight Capital, Michael successfully acquired, operated, and exited Buckeye Restaurant Group, an operator of franchised Wingstop restaurants.
Rob Ketterson has focused for 25+ years on private investment opportunities in IT, software and tech-enabled services. In 2010, Rob was Founding Partner at Volition Capital, a technology growth equity firm where he remains a senior advisor.
Omar has focused for 20+ years on private investment opportunities in a variety of multi-unit spaces, closing over 20 principal transactions exceeding $3B in aggregate transaction value. Omar co-founded Exaltare Capital, a private equity firm focused on multi-unit and franchise businesses.
Mark has focused for 25+ years on leading and scaling the financial strategy and operations of global high growth companies, managing board communications, and producing high-multiple outcomes in the technology sector, with a focus on B2B SaaS software.
Ben has focused for 23+ years on private investment opportunities primarily in venture capital. In 2009, Ben co-founded Tenaya Capital, where he focuses on global consumer and related investments, with an emphasis on vertical applications and network effect businesses.
Peter is the Founder and Managing Director of Cameo Point Capital, an investment fund with a focus on Search Fund and lower middle market private equity investments. Pete sits on the Board of two companies, with an emphasis on overall strategic revenue growth and market building initiatives.
Lacey Wismer's introduction to ETA began during her childhood as she watched her father, Andrew Hunter, acquire and invest in small businesses in Minnesota—several of which remain in the family's ownership to this day. One significant exit in the late 1990s paved the way for the establishment of their family office, Hunter Trust. Upon joining Hunter Trust in 2010, Lacey got involved in portfolio company boards, establishing the family office as an investor in search funds, and developing an operating partner program. In 2020, drawing upon her years of invaluable experience, she founded Hunter Search Capital, a dedicated investment fund with a primary focus on ETA.
Since 2010, we have partnered with over 100 talented entrepreneurs who share our passion for acquiring and growing small businesses. Alongside these entrepreneurs, we have acquired, and achieved significant growth with more than 65 companies, generating significant returns to shareholders.
