For Business Owners

What types of companies does Berkman Woods acquire?
We focus on lower middle market businesses with $5–50M in revenue and $1–10M in EBITDA. Our sweet spot includes specialty contracting, architecture & engineering, and business services. We’re particularly interested in owner/founder transitions, generational succession situations, and companies with strong management teams ready to lead the next chapter.

How is Berkman Woods different from traditional private equity?
We’re not a fund with outside deadlines or rigid structures. As an independent sponsor, we raise capital on a deal-by-deal basis, allowing us to tailor each partnership to the needs of the business and its owner. Our background as operators and advisors means we create value through strategic and operational improvements, not just financial engineering.

What happens to my company’s brand and identity after acquisition?
We respect the legacy you’ve built. Our approach is to preserve local brands and reputations while providing access to resources, systems, and capital to fuel growth. The goal is to strengthen your company’s position in the market — not erase its history.

How involved will Berkman Woods be in day-to-day operations?
Our involvement depends on the company’s needs. In some cases, we play a hands-on role during leadership transitions. In others, we provide strategic support and oversight while empowering management to run day-to-day operations. In all cases, we aim to be collaborative partners, not micromanagers.

What is your typical investment timeline?
We don’t operate on arbitrary fund deadlines. Our investment horizon is generally 5–8 years, giving us time to implement sustainable improvements, support leadership transitions, and pursue both organic and acquisitive growth.

For Investors

What’s your edge in sourcing deals?
Because of our operator-first approach and reputation for protecting owner legacies, a significant share of our opportunities come through direct, proprietary conversations with business owners and their advisors. Business owners choose us because they know we respect what they’ve built and will invest in its future.

How do you create value beyond multiple expansion?
Our value creation comes from operational excellence and growth initiatives, including:

• Professionalizing organizational structure and reporting

• Optimizing sales and marketing systems

• Driving margin expansion through pricing and process improvements

• Supporting management with strategic growth plans

• Executing strategic add-on acquisitions to build scale

What’s your approach to leverage?
We maintain conservative capital structures that emphasize flexibility and free cash flow. While we may use debt where appropriate, we don’t rely on high leverage to generate returns. Our focus is on building stronger, more resilient businesses that can de-lever quickly post-acquisition.

How do you mitigate execution risk?
We develop a detailed 100-day plan before closing, work closely with management to ensure buy-in, and stay directly involved in implementation. Because our partners have operated and advised businesses across multiple industries, we bring real-world experience to every initiative.

How do you structure co-investment opportunities?
We offer co-investment on a deal-by-deal basis, with flexible structures depending on partner preferences. In all cases, Berkman Woods invests significant GP capital alongside LPs, ensuring alignment of interests.

For Portfolio Company Management & Employees

How involved will Berkman Woods be in day-to-day operations?
We’re active partners but not overbearing. We work closely with management on strategic initiatives, provide resources for key projects, and assist with specific operational improvements when needed. Our role is to support, not replace, leadership.

What resources will be available to help grow our business?
Beyond capital, portfolio companies benefit from:

• Hands-on strategic and operational support

• Access to our network of industry experts and partners

• Best practices shared across portfolio companies

• Talent development, leadership coaching, and succession planning

How do you measure success in portfolio companies?
We look beyond financial outcomes. Success means:

• Sustainable revenue and EBITDA growth

• Strong operational performance against key KPIs

• Employee engagement and retention

• Customer satisfaction and loyalty

• The company’s reputation as a trusted employer and industry leader

Will our company’s identity change after acquisition?
No. We preserve the brand identity and culture that made the company successful. Any branding or integration decisions are made collaboratively with management, based on long-term strategy — never at the expense of legacy.

How do you approach adding new team members?
We prefer to grow from within and promote existing leaders. Where additional talent is needed, we partner with management to ensure hires fit both the culture and long-term growth strategy. Our focus is on building capabilities, not replacing people.