Investment Criteria

Operator Philosophy

(   01   )
Character matters

We are signing up to be minority partners for the long haul. Mutual trust and integrity are paramount.

(   02   )
Grit > academic pedigree

We are industry-agnostic but do not invest in consumer and retail, and generally avoid businesses tied to new construction.

(   03   )
Know your weaknesses

We want to work with operators who recognize their blind spots and complement themselves.

(   04  )
Your business, not ours

Operators should know their business inside out. Screen for deep understanding of business model and existential risks.

(   05  )
Understand the “why”

We do not want to invest in people who are “buying a job.” Understanding motivations and ensuring strong incentive allignment are crucial.

(   06  )
Skin in the game

We place high value on transactions that come with a personal guarantee and/or meaningful operator equity contribution. We want to back people that back themselves.

Business & Deal Profile

(   01   )
Operator (Searcher) Profile

We care about your work ethic, learning ability, and managerial skills far more than your college degree or financial sophistication (that’s what we’re here for!).

(   02   )
Industry Profile

We are industry-agnostic but do not invest in consumer and retail, and generally avoid businesses tied to new construction.

(   03   )
Business & Financial Profile:
  • Mature, resilient businesses with stable cash flows
  • Modest growth
  • Components of recurring or re-occurring revenue
  • Established customer base with manageable customer concentration
  • $500K-$10M of cash flow or SDE
  • Low capital expenditure requirements
  • Attractive net working capital dynamics
(   04  )
Deal & Seller Profile:
  • Leveraged buyouts or recapitalizations
  • Attractive cash flow acquisition multiple
  • Founder or owner-operator led businesses
  • Preferably retirement sales
  • Seller provides seller financing and / or earnout and commits to a period of transition
  • Seller cares about the business preserving independent ownership and giving back to the community
Disclaimer

The characteristics described above are intended to illustrate Kodiak’s general investment and partnership preferences. They do not represent strict criteria or guarantees of transaction terms. Actual investment decisions will depend on a variety of factors and may differ from the profiles outlined. This content is not an offer of investment advisory services or interests in any fund or investment vehicle.