Press Release
Big Branch Capital Begins Search Fund to Acquire Privately-Owned Business
White Plains, NY (October 29, 2019) – Big Branch Capital, LLC, a New York-based acquisition search fund, has launched its nationwide search for a privately-owned business after securing funding from industry-leading investors.
Led by experienced business operator Jackie Kopcho, Big Branch Capital will identify, acquire, and operate a single, privately held U.S.-based company. The fund, led by Kopcho, will then work closely with the existing business owner to steward their legacy while advancing long-term, sustainable growth and value.
According to the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Stanford Graduate School of Business, from 1984, the year the term “search fund” originated, to 2017, $924 million of equity capital has been invested into search funds, generating an aggregate equity value of $5.7 billion for investors and roughly $1.5 billion for searchers. The popularity of the model is growing with an all-time-high of 325 search funds operating today.
“As an experienced operator and someone who has worked in family businesses most of her life, I understand that selling a business is one of the most momentous decisions a business owner will make,” said Jackie Kopcho, Managing Partner at Big Branch Capital. “Big Branch Capital offers owners the opportunity to unlock the accumulated wealth in their business and hand off day-to-day operations while simultaneously maintaining the integrity of the business and their legacy.”
Big Branch Capital will actively search across industry sectors for established lower middle market businesses that meet its investment criteria. Upon identifying and acquiring an ideal enterprise, Big Branch Capital will work closely with the company’s owner(s) to seamlessly transition leadership to Kopcho who will serve as the company’s CEO.
“What’s unique about the Big Branch Capital model is that we will be intimately invested as an owner’s successor,” explained Kopcho. “Over the next few years, we are going to see an unprecedented number of Baby Boomers retire. I see this as an opportunity to help a business owner transfer the company to someone with operating experience that is focused on the long-term success of their company.”
“Over the past 20 years, we have had the pleasure of supporting over 170 search funds in nearly 20 countries. We have an understanding of what it takes to be successful in this model,” says Sandro Mina, Managing Member of Relay Investments. “We are pleased to be partnering with Jackie as her operational experience, deep industry knowledge, entrepreneurial drive, and amiable nature are compelling qualities that we believe will make her successful.”
Big Branch Capital is made up of a uniquely qualified group of investment and advisory partners. Their experience ranges from industry leading executives to academic thought-leaders, to investment professionals with decades of growth capital investment experience.
Potential sellers interested in the Big Branch Capital approach can learn more at bigbranchcapital.com or contact Managing Partner Jackie Kopcho at jrkopcho@bigbranchcapital.com. All consultations with sellers are strictly confidential.
About Big Branch Capital LLC
Big Branch Capital is a search fund formed to identify, acquire, and operate a single existing private company to preserve the legacy of the founders while advancing sustainable growth and value. We allow owners to transition out of their business and pass daily management to an operating team that is focused on the long-term success of their company. Big Branch Capital is committed to dedicating its full time resources to ensuring the future success of the company and its employees, customers, and suppliers. Comprised of a uniquely qualified group of leading executives and advisory partners, Big Branch Capital offers owners the necessary capital, operating experience, execution discipline, and strategic knowledge necessary to help companies grow. For additional information, please visit www.bigbranchcapital.com.
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