As the dust settles on the 2024 Olympics, Team USA won more medals than any other country, reminding us that success is a team sport. Just as Olympic athletes rely on their coaches, trainers, and teammates, business owners also need an all-star team to reach the podium of a successful exit.
At ArchStar Capital, we’re not just cheering from the sidelines – we’re in the race with you, sprinting towards gold – helping you become the elite 7% of business owners who exit their businesses successfully. Our roster is stacked with seasoned champions, each bringing their own expertise to the field, and our unique competitive advantage is our extensive bench strength.
The Core Four: Our Gold Medalists
Like a well-oiled relay team, ArchStar’s four founding partners – Peter Villhard, Jacob Sturdy, Tom Mingo, and Scott Moore – pass the baton of their combined 50+ years of experience buying, transforming, and selling businesses. Half of our founding team have stood on the winner’s podium themselves, successfully selling their businesses to private equity transitioning from CEO’s to Board Members and Operating Partners. This unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and private equity prowess gives us an unparalleled competitive edge in the lower middle market arena.
We believe in cultivating a team of champions. We treat all our executives as owners, and our management-centric approach ensures that your team is motivated, energized, and ready to break records in scaling your business and reap the rewards of unprecedented growth.
Patience Pays Off: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
In the exit-strategy decathlon, ArchStar takes a long-term view. While most traditional private equity firms treat investments like a 100-meter dash, we understand that building true value is more like a marathon. While traditional PE firms require minimal personal investment to the fund by the general partners, ArchStar takes a much different approach: our founding partners have skin in the game, committing significant personal capital to our strategy. This creates a culture of teamwork, accountability, and partnership among owners, the management team, and firm partners.
Our target? Companies with $3-$10 million in EBITDA and $10+ million in revenue, primarily in the Midwest. While many private equity firms treat investments like a sprint, with holding periods of just 3 to 7 years, ArchStar sees the bigger picture. We know that true value creation takes time. Our extensive experience in acquiring, transforming, and divesting companies allows us to challenge this short-term mindset. Instead, we embrace a flexible timeline for our portfolio companies, ensuring we can go the distance and maximize returns for both owners and investors.
We’re not after quick wins – we’re here to set new records in value creation.
Our All-Star Bench: Former Business Owners and Operators
As an independent sponsor, our bench strength far exceeds that of traditional private equity. Just as Olympic teams bring specialist coaches for each event, ArchStar’s bench is deep with industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs. These aren’t just spectators – they’re corporate athletes who’ve competed at the highest levels of business.
In a traditional private equity model, a hodge-podge of investors commit to a blind pool with little control and a fixed timeline of seven to 10 years. ArchStar, however, takes an agile approach. As independent sponsors, we scout for promising contenders presenting win-win opportunities to our investment partners. We identify a standout company, craft a game plan, and then recruit seasoned investors who can appreciate the potential for gold.
Our investors’ mindset mirrors business owners because they were business owners and operators. They’re patient, knowledgeable, and experienced which allows us to leverage their networks, resources, and expertise to drive growth and value creation for our portfolio companies. This allows us to assemble the right investment team for each unique business opportunity, maximizing our chances for a podium finish.
As independent sponsors, we bring creative plays to the private equity game. We don’t just provide capital; we actively support day-to-day operations, contributing to your company’s growth like a dedicated coaching staff.
The ArchStar Advantage: Your Ticket to the Podium
Our combination of founder-based operating experience and deep private equity knowledge is our winning playbook. It’s caught the eye of investment banks, wealth advisors, and legal professionals looking for a private equity partner that can help their clients reach new heights.
By partnering with ArchStar, you’re joining a winning team designed to realize your company’s full potential. Together, we’ll strategize a growth plan that leads to stronger performance, higher valuations, and a place on the winner’s podium.
