T-street works with entrepreneurial owners and management teams
who believe in their company’s potential and are committed to building a meaningful legacy.
Our Story
We believe in authenticity and in building relationships -
our personal and collaborative approach is a throwback
to how growth equity investment used to be done
T-street Capital is an independent growth equity firm that works in partnership with entrepreneurs and management teams to provide a flexible and tailored equity solution to help grow their business through a combination of capital investment, strategic acquisitions, and other opportunistic initiatives. We can do both non-control and control investments, primarily in lower middle market companies based in North America.
Investment strategy includes the following situations:
▪ Provide entrepreneurs with non-control capital to support organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
▪ Support financial sponsors or operating executives with co-investment for the acquisition of a private company.
▪ Partner with management teams to execute a management buyout or divestiture from a larger company.
▪ Invest in family-owned companies to facilitate a succession plan and liquidation event for financial and estate planning needs.
I have always admired entrepreneurs. Whether starting from scratch or venturing into new frontiers, entrepreneurs bring energy, vision, and a degree of fearlessness that is unique and enviable. The best part of this business is working with these entrepreneurs and learning about their companies and their story. Everybody has a story. T-street has a story, and I would like to briefly share our story with you.
After a decade in the investment business, I became somewhat discouraged with our industry. Private equity, in general, had become heavily intermediated and impersonal. What was once characterized as creative deal-making had gradually transformed into an automated process with limited imagination. This evolution was particularly damaging to smaller, high-growth companies where flexibility, creativity, and a meaningful personal connection are critical to a successful partnership and investment. I was uninspired – yet determined to reestablish an authentic investment approach that was a throwback to how growth equity investments used to be done.
In the early days of my new venture, I relocated to San Clemente, CA to be closer to my partners and a few potential investment opportunities. If you’ve ever visited San Clemente, you will understand when I describe this small southern California town as a hidden gem. While it may look like a sleepy beach town frozen in time, it’s home to some of the fastest-growing companies and brilliant creative minds in the country. As you stroll down the iconic Avenida Del Mar and enjoy the peaceful sunset at T-street Beach, you will appreciate the authenticity of this small coastal town.
As I spent time in this beautiful part of the world while starting my own company, and heavily influenced by my surroundings, my perspective of the investment business was reinforced and my strategy was further shaped and refined. I developed a greater understanding of how to help an entrepreneur build a platform for accelerated growth without compromising the core values of the company. Having endured the metaphorical blood, sweat, and tears while building my own company, I learned to appreciate the importance of relationships, flexibility, resourcefulness, and a little fearlessness when building a successful business.
During my three years in San Clemente, CA I came to recognize that this small town shared many of the same attributes that I believed were necessary for a successful investment strategy. I eventually dubbed my strategy, the T-street Mantra, and the phrase, “Building the Future & Preserving the Past.”
At T-street, we appreciate the balance of change and consistency when growing a company. We understand strategy, concepts, and operational know-how and how these contribute to a business’s success. We know that a company’s “heart and soul” is the people. We choose to partner with people whom we respect, admire, and who share our values. Those who motivate, inspire and attract great talent to build a company with leadership, stamina, and soul. We do not simply believe in business transactions, but in forming meaningful relationships with the entrepreneurs with whom we partner.
– DALE L. CHENEY
About Us
About Us
Preferred Situations
▪ Provide entrepreneurs with non-control capital to support organic
growth and strategic acquisitions.
▪ Support financial sponsors or operating executives with co-investment
for the acquisition of a private company.
▪ Partner with management teams to execute a management buyout or
divestiture from a larger company.
▪ Invest in family-owned companies to facilitate a succession plan and
liquidation event for financial and estate planning needs.
Preferred Criteria
▪ Investment size of $5MM to $25MM.
▪ Revenues generally between $10MM to $100MM.
▪ EBITDA (Operating Cash Flow) greater than $3MM.
▪ Opportunities for new growth initiatives, corporate development, and
operational improvement.
▪ Recurring business, robust margins, and strong cash flow generation.
Preferred Industries
▪ CONSUMER PRODUCTS
▪ FOOD & BEVERAGE
▪ APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
▪ HEALTH & WELLNESS
▪ ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
▪ SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
▪ BEAUTY & PERSONAL CARE
▪ FITNESS & NUTRITION
▪ SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING
We prefer to work with entrepreneurs because they have tremendous passion and great vision. Every successful entrepreneur has a unique story that we admire, and we can be supportive in building a platform for accelerated expansion without compromising the core values of the company.