February 2021
The contents of this newsletter are intended for the exclusive use of Red Forest Capital search funds. Access to the Knowledge-base and to materials included in this newsletter is limited to Red Forest Capital search funds. Log in or create a redforestcapital.com account to view to previous editions of the newsletter or videos.
This month marks 51 years since Black History Month was first celebrated at Kent State University in 1970. Since its inception, Black History Month has helped open a dialogue about the contributions of people of African descent to our communities and country.
In honor of Black History Month, we pay tribute to the success of African American leaders in entrepreneurship, private equity, and venture capital space; Lighthouse Capital, a fund for underrepresented founders in the Midwest; Backstage Capital, a fund for black women entrepreneurs; Lunar Startups, an inclusive accelerator; Robert Smith who pledged to pay off the student loans of the 2019 class of Morehouse College - estimated at $65MM; and a Babson College study that shows Black entrepreneurs start businesses at a higher rate than other groups. We invite you to celebrate Black History Month and support friends, family, and colleagues of color.
Additionally, the following are a number of resources to help you in your pursuit of an acquisition. Contact us if and when we can be of help. In the meantime, please find a selection of resources below to support your efforts.
INDUSTRY UPDATES
2020 4Q Middle Market Update from the National Center for the Middle Market & Ohio State
The Services Sector witnessed ~58% growth last month to a two-year high
Private companies added 174,000 jobs in January beating economists' 50,000-job prediction
Consumer Sentiment Index remained largely unchanged
IDEAS
Geothermal Energy Can Help Meet Climate Goals and Provide a Lifeline for Oil & Gas
How the iPhone's AR potential could transform mobile advertising
Second order effects of Electric Vehicles. Deloitte Report. Biden Policy, and Texas
Water Treatment, Desalination, & Risk. NASA estimates 1/3 of aquifers are drying up
KNOWLEDGE-BASE UPDATES
Available to Red Forest Capital investments Only
Sample Advisor and Consultant Agreement if you engage SMEs for diligence or other services
GUIDE Company Screening, a tool to train your team or further develop your screening process
GUIDE Prepare for a Management Meeting help you and/or your team prep for prospect meetings
INDUSTRY UPDATES
Since 21 January 2021. Available to Red Forest Capital investments Only
Air Purification Equipment
Apartment & Condominium Construction
Appliance Repair
Auto Glass Repair Franchises
Auto Maintenance & Repair Franchises
Business Insurance
Children's Fitness Center Franchises
Cosmetic Dentists
Credit Cards
Emergency & Other Outpatient Care Centers
Environmental Consulting
Housing Developers
HVAC Service Franchises
Indoor Sports Facilities Management
Industrial Banks
Intellectual Property (IP) Licensing
Lithium Battery Manufacturing
Loan Administration & Check Cashing
Machinery Maintenance & Equipment Repair
Medical Equipment Rental
Moving Services
Ocean & Coastal Transportation
Plastic Surgeons
Plumbers
Real Estate Agency Franchises
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT)
Real Estate Loans & Collateralized Debt
Real Estate Sales & Brokerage
Residential & Senior Care Franchises
Reverse Mortgages
Scheduled & Charter Bus Services
Security Guard & Patrol Services
Smart Meter Manufacturing
Soap & Industrial Cleaning Product Manufacturing
Software Wholesale
Solar Farm Developers
Solar Panel Installation
Telemarketing & Call Centers
TPA & Insurance Claims Adjusters
Tugboat & Shipping Navigational Services
Tutoring & Test Prep Franchises
Veterinary Services
TIPS & TRICKS
Extend search capital with short-term certificates of deposit. First, consult your accountant and bank!
How to Do Due Diligence on Your Potential Acquirer and how buyers perceive your fund
Example of Why You Need Differentiate from other Search Funds and Institutions in Email
M&A SPOTLIGHT
Selection of Deals that correspond with industries of interest to Red Forest Capital funds. More below.
Align Capital Partners acquired Aeros Environmental, a carbon tracking company
ASG acquired Visual Matrix, a hotel property management software company
Demand Science acquires Tidings, a B2B sales enablement solution
CrunchTime! Information Systems acquired DiscoverLink, provider of restaurant-focused e-learning
Enphase Energy acquired Sofdesk, a residential solar industry software provider
Envest acquired Bell & Williams Associates, a provider of repossession, collection and skip tracing
EverCommerce acquired Briostack, provider of ERP software for pest control field services
Gigit acquired Peak InfoSec, a cybersecurity due diligence service provider
HGGC acquires Marmic Fire & Safety a fire protection provider
Logically acquired Network Support Co (NSC), a managed IT service provider (MSP)
Singlepoint acquires Energywyze, a solar lead generation engine
Visiqua acquired ROI Verify, a tech company focused on improving lead conversion
SEARCH FUND INTERNSHIPS
Brigid Mulcahy, a second year Stanford MBA and Co-President of the GSB Search Fund Club, is seeking an internship with search funds that need help to develop, already and relatively well-established sourcing processes, Brigid has interned with Pacific Lake, TTCER, and Ascend Software during her MBA, and was previously at McKinsey and TFA. Anyone with openings, contact Brigid directly.
UChicago’s undergraduate Odyssey & Empower Summer Match Program will help you identify talented students as a paid summer internship. For more, contact Julie Ruck, Assistant Director, Careers in Business Career Advancement @ UofC
PORTFOLIO COMPANY INTERNSHIPS
Northwestern's Heizer Growth-Stage Summer Internship Program provides matching stipends of up to $7K to support Kellogg students working in growth-stage operating companies and search-fund acquired businesses. For more, contact Taylor Weston, Asst. Director, Career Management Center
Stanford's Entrepreneurial Summer Program (ESP) matches match MBA interns and offer stipends for summer internships with early-stage and recently acquired companies. Sign up here and for more, contact Mandy Chang, Assistant Director, Program Operations, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
INTERESTING
...and nothing related to GameStop!!
The Math of Value and Growth, Return on Capital, and the Discount Rate from Michael Mauboussin
How to Value Subscription Businesses & The Five Flavors of Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR)
Step-By-Step Guide To Performing a Financial Trend Analysis on a Business for Sale
PFAS (nonstick cookware and waterproof or stain-resistant fabrics) Toxicity
DEEP THOUGHTS
“As we return from the pandemic and there is rotation of dollars from tech to travel, hospitality and energy sectors hurt by the pandemic, we will see 2021 multiples return to normal yet healthy levels (20-25x forward revenues).” Dharmesh Thakker, General Partner, Battery Ventures
"Set your mind on a definite goal and observe how quickly the world stands aside to let you pass." Napoleon Hill
"Predicting rain doesn't count, building arks does" Warren Buffett
"If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything" K. Trevor Wilson's character in Letterkenny
M&A, PRIVATE EQUITY & SEARCH FUNDS
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE
Fastmarkets acquires Jacobsen, an agricultural Price Reporting Agency ("PRA")
Garden Trends acquires Hopsharvester, a harvesting Equipment manufacturer
GS Foods Group acquired Fresno Produce, a fresh produce distributor
CorporationNuwave and PCI Merge create Bigbear.Ai, a Defense decision making platform
Redwire acquired Oakman Aerospace, a provider of digital engineering, spacecraft and satellites
Tropicale Foods acquire Paleteria La Michoacana a maker of Hispanic foods and goods
Utz Quality Foods acquires Vitner‚ a snack food brand for $25MM
Valens acquires LYF Food Technologies, cannabis-infused edible manufacturer for ~$50MM
Vestar Capital Partners invested in Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods, maker of plant-based foods
AGRICULTURE & FOOD
Valens acquired LYF Food Technologies, cannabis-infused edible manufacturer for ~$50MM
Utz Quality Foods acquires Vitner’s, a snack food brand for $25MM
AUTOMOTIVE
Blue Point Capital Partners acquired Transtar Holding Company, a distributor transmission products
H.I.G. acquired Continental Batteries, a secondary market for electric vehicle batteries
B2B SERVICES
Avision Sales Group acquired six add-ons in janitorial services and foodservice equipment
Diabsolut acquires Foundry52, Salesforce reseller and consultancy
Eisneramper acquires Goldin Peiser & Peiser, an accounting firm
FLEETCOR Technologies acquired Roger, an accounts payable (AP) software platform
Gigit acquired Peak InfoSec, a cybersecurity due diligence service provider
Iridium Technology acquired Smart Time Apps, provider of timekeeping software & services
Playvox acquired Agyle Time, provider of workforce management software for contact centers
Straker Translations acquired Lingotek, provider of language and translation software & services
Visiqua acquired ROI Verify, a techn company focused on improving lead conversion
ZRG acquired Turnkey Search, a talent recruitment/executive search firm
CONSUMER
Bridges Consumer Healthcare acquired Clarion Brands, a dietary supplements company
Bright International acquired Bocchi Laboratories, a beauty and personal care manufacturer
Roca Sanitario acquired RG International Bathroom’s bathroom furniture divisio
VC Capital Partners acquired Shiseido's skincare and cosmetics drugstore brands for $1.5B
EDUCATION
ENERGY
Catalyst Power Holdings acquired US Energy Partners, an energy provider
Enphase Energy acquired Sofdesk, a residential solar industry software provider
Gibraltar Industries acquires Sunfig, a data driven solar project developer for $3.75MM
PMC Capital Partners acquired UniversalPegasus International, an oil-and-gas servicing company
Sharecare acquired docai, a healthcare enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) platform
ENVIRONMENT & RELATED
FINANCE & INSURANCE
CloudMD acquires Aspiria, provider of Employee (EAP) and Student (SAP) Assistance for $2.25MM
First Horizon Bank acquires cloud fintech provider, Finxact Core
FortisPay acquired Swype at Work, a provider of credit and debit card processing solutions
GreenBox acquired ChargeSavvy, a finteh payment processing platform
High Street Insurance Partners acquired Vested Risk Strategies, an insurance agency
Hub International acquires John Galon Insurance Services and Galon Management
IG Group Holdings acquired tastytrade, an online financial network, for $1B
Integrity Marketing Group acquired CSG Actuarial, a quoting, enrollment tech platform
JConnelly acquired AdvisorPR, a PR and marketing company for wealth management firms
Marble Financial acquires Inverite, a real-time bank verification service provider for $1.17MM
Mercer Global Advisors acquired Marrs Wealth Management, a wealth management firm
Mercer Global Advisors acquired Hart Capital Management, an asset management firm
Motive Partners & Clearlake Capital acquire Investcloud, a Saas wealth solutions platform
Porch acquires Homeowners of America Holding, a P&C insurance company for $100MM
Redmill Advance acquired AKORN, a financial services education and training specialist
Virtus Investment Partners to acquire Westchester Capital Management
FRANCHISE
Caring Brands International acquired Interim HealthCare, a home health and hospice franchisor
Charger Investment Partners invested in B&B Coffeehouse, a franchisor of coffeehouses
FranConnect has acquired FranchiseBlast, a provider of franchise management software
HEALTH CARE
42 North Dental acquired Wellesley Dental Group
42 North Dental acquired the Pediatric Dental Care and Orthodontics
42 North Dental acquired Windham and Groton Dental Group
42 North Dental acquired Restorative & Aesthetic Dental Associates
42 North Dental acquired JD Howard, dental care provider
Adapthealth acquires Aerocare, respiratory and home medical equipment ("HME") distrbutor
Amneal acquires Kashiv, provider of drug delivery platforms and novel 505(b)(2) drugs for $70MM
Biohaven acquires Kleo, developer of cancer and infectious disease treatments for $20MM
Boston Scientific acquires Preventice, a device maker focused on issues related to the heart
Bridgepoint acquired Prescient Healthcare Group, a pharmaceutical analytics company
Chimerix acquires Oncoceutics, a cancer drug discovery, and development company for $78MM
Cody Consulting Group acquires Madena, a health insurance consultancy for $7.3MM
CODY acquired Madena, enrollment and reconciliation software provider
Colfax Corp. acquired Trilliant Surgical, a manufacturer of foot and ankle orthopedic implants
GetWellNetwork has acquired Docent Health, a patient engagement platform
Horiba acquires Medtest Dx and Pointe Scientific, laboratory chemistry companies
Medsphere Systems Corporation acquired Marketware, maker of healthcare relationship software
National Partners acquires Intermountain Anesthesia Consultants
Nextech Systems acquired MyMedLeads, a patient engagement, and marketing software company
Nexhealth acquires Enlive, Healthcare practice management, and automation solution
NovaQuest acquired CoreRx, provider of clinical and pharmaceutical manufacturing services to
Paragon Biosciences acquires CIRC Biosciences, a cell and gene therapy platform
PMC Capital acquires Ransom & Randolph Company, a dental consumable supply company
Premise Health acquires Sonic Boom Wellness, a digital engagement and wellness provider
Professional Physical Therapy acquires Optimum Physical Therapy
Rethink First acquires Whil, a behavioral, mental health, and well-being solution
Sharecare acquired docai, a healthcare enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) platform
Sierra Digital acquires Stonebridge Consulting, an energy technology consultancy
symplr acquired Phynd Technologies, a healthcare systems data management platform
Social Solutions Global acquire Athena Software, a case management solution
Surgical Science acquires Mimic Technologies, robotic surgery simulation, and trainer for $18MM
Verista acquires Hawkins Point, a drug development technology provider
Volpara acquires CRA Health, a breast cancer risk assessment company
Vistria & Excellere acquired SCA Pharmaceuticals, a provider of syringes and sterile admixtures
Waud Capital acquired Health iPASS, a provider of patient engagement software
INDUSTRIALS & MANUFACTURING
AgEagle acquires MicaSense, provider of robotic platforms for $23MM
Atlas acquires Nano Purification Solutions, a compressed air and gas solutions provider for $26MM
Emerald X acquires PlumRivern, a B2B e-commerce provider for the manufacturing industry
DeZURIK acquires Red Valve, provider of control valve applications for $63MM
Fathom acquired Summit Tooling and Summit Plastics, precision tooling and injection molding
Huntsman acquired Gabriel Performance Products, a manufacturer of specialty chemical
Justrite Manufacturing acquired National Marker Company, manufacturer of safety signage
Odyssey acquired Applied Technical Services, provider of inspection and calibration services
Seaway Plastics acquired Wright Engineered Plastics, precision component manufacturer
Trive acquired Oscar W. Larson, equipment distributor, installer, inspector, and repair company
TRM Equity acquired Elyria Foundry, a ductile iron castings company
MARKETING & ADVERTISING
AMF Media Group acquired Connext, a marketing and communications consultancy
ChapsVision acquired NP6, a marketing, customer engagement, and loyalty automation platform
Devoteam acquired Ysance, a retail and brand marketing agency
DNI Corp acquired Mailer’s Choice, a direct mail and fulfillment business
Innovatus Capital acquired VSA Partners (VSA), a design and brand experience services platform
Integrated Media acquired StackCommerce, a platform for digital publishers and influencers
Ipsos acquired MGE Data, a mobility, geo-marketing, and media research consultancy
Look Listen acquired Story First, an agency that serves non-profits, causes, and brands
Porch acquires V12 Data, an omnichannel data provider to the advertising industry for $22MM
Shamrock acquired Bayard Advertising, an agency focused on employer branding and recruitment
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT
Bally's acquires Monkey Knife Fight, a gaming platform for $50MM
Carlyle acquired Jagex, a developer, and publisher of video games
Element Partners acquires WPT Enterprises, creator of the World Poker Tour (WPT) for $78MM
Esports Entertainment acquired, Helix eSports owner of five esports centers
Integrate Agency acquired BriteIdea Marketing Group, a digital marketing group
LG Electronics acquires Alphonso, an analytics company for $80MM
Mod Op acquired Microgigantic This acquisition, a marketing studio
PlayVS acquired GameSeta, an infrastructure provider for high school esports teams
Streamland Media acquires Technicolor, a postproduction company for $36MM
Twitter has acquired Revue, a newsletter platform for writers and publishers
Wyndham Destinations acquires Travel Leisure, a travel magazine for $100MM
MINING
REAL ESTATE & RELATED
AI Fire acquired Legacy Fire Protection, a fire sprinkler company
Advanced DRI acquired A. Molly Company, a water damage restoration company
American Construction Source acquired Builder’s Resource Group, a group for builders
Atlantic Southern acquired Emerald Paving Company, a paving services provider
Carter Multifamily acquires the Gables Apartment Community For $26.6 MM
Kingston Light + Air agreed to acquire the skylights division of SMAC, a waterproofing for buildings
Universal Engineering Sciences acquires Construction Testing & Engineering
RETAIL & WHOLESALE
Boyne Capital acquired CarCovers, a retailer for vehicle covers
Columbia Care acquires The Healing Center, a cannabis-related product retailer for $15MM
Equity Partners acquired Smith & Vandiver Corporation, a maker of personal care products
High Tide acquires Smoke Cartel, a cannabis related product retailer for $8MM
Springbig acquires Budtender, a cannabis customer experience, and retention platform
TECHNOLOGY
Agoral acquired Easemob, instant messaging APIs, and customer engagement solution
Algolia acquired MorphL, an e-commerce and machine learning software provider
Clash acquired Byte app, a leading short-form video platform
Coinbase acquired Bison Trails, blockchain infrastructure, and digital asset exchange firm
DataCore Software acquired Caringo a developer of software for managing data growth
DataStax has acquired Kesque, provider of messaging technology applications
Deloitte acquired Root9B, provider of advanced cyber threat hunting services and solutions
emids has acquired Macadamian, a software design and consulting firm
Ethos Capital to purchase Donuts Donuts, a domain name and digital identity solution provider
Esports Entertainment Group acquired ggCircuit, a MSP for LAN centers
Ivanti acquired Cherwell Software, a unified endpoint management, security, and service provider
Khoros acquired Flowai, a conversational AI platform for designing and managing chatbots
martinwolf acquired IT ExchangeNet (ITX), facilitator of mid-market IT M&A transactions
Republix acquired SourceStrike, provider of web & mobile applications
SAP acquired Signavio, business process intelligence and process management solution provider
SAS acquired Boemska, a low-code/no-code application deployment and analytics provider
Shutterstock acquired TurboSquid, a leading source for stock 3D models and images
symplr acquired Phynd Technologies, a provider of enterprise software management
Tarmac acquired Usetrace, a codeless SaaS software testing solution
TEGNA acquired Locked On Podcast Network, a network for local, college and professional sports
TraQiQ acquired Kringle, a loyalty, m-commerce, and analytics company
TPG Capital acquired Centrify, a leading provider of modern privileged access management (PAM)
ZGM acquired Paper Leaf, a full-stack app and software development firm
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Calian acquires InterTronic Solutions, producer of high performance antenna systems for $22MM
Communication Technology Services acquired ClearSky Technologies, a wireless company
Lumine Group acquired VAS-X, a software development company that focuses on teleco
Sangoma acquired Star2Star Communications, provider of full-spectrum communications services
Spectrum acquired Hiigh Wire Networks, a next-generation telecommunications network provider
TRAVEL & RECREATION
ASG acquired Visual Matrix, a hotel property management software company
Aspire Software acquired Navotar, a car rental software provider
Locaweb ConnectPlug, a provider of SaaS-based point of sale systems (POS)
Yanolja acquired Sanha Information Technology (IT) a MSP for hotels, resorts, and restaurants
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS
WASTE MANAGEMENT