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Helping bootstrapped entrepreneurs build enduring companies

Beckett Industries operates at the intersection of venture capital and growth equity, providing growth capital and strategic guidance to bootstrapped entrepreneurs in the CPG, Technology, and business services sectors. We’re founders, operators, advisors, and investors — your first call when you need help, and the earlier we can talk, the more helpful we can be.

by offering entrepreneurs more than just capital

30+

years of investing

200M+

capital raised

800M+

revenue created

1B+

in transactions

Timing

How do you work with bootstrapped entrepreneurs?

Investment

  • Approach: Flexible, tailored support ensuring sustainable growth and strategic advancement by offering hands-on expertise and direct investments via SPVs.
  • Sectors: Specialize in CPG, technology, and business services.
  • Revenue Profile: Target companies typically with $1 to $50 million in annual revenues.
  • Company Characteristics: Bootstrapped, capital-efficient businesses with proven growth and sustainable margins.
  • Capital Raise: Invests $1 to $5 million in equity per deal.
  • Ownership: Flexible in acquiring minority or majority stakes, but the target is 10-20% ownership stake.

Advisory

  • Approach: Comprehensive advisory support to prepare businesses for their first major capital raise. Focus on operational improvements, strategy development, and financial planning to ensure a solid foundation for growth.
  • Sectors: Specialize in CPG, technology, and business services.
  • Company Characteristics: Early-stage or bootstrapped businesses that need help with formalizing operations, establishing strategy, and structuring finances to attract future outside capital.
  • Capital Raise Support: Guides companies through raising $1 to $5M by providing advisory on equity and debt structuring, ensuring readiness for institutional investment.

Is it ever too early to approach Beckett Industries?

Timing is everything. Our ethos is simple: it’s never too early to engage, but it can indeed be too late. Early engagement is key to unlocking potential, whether you are starting up or looking to expand a family-founder owned business through private equity.

In our experience, from incubating early-stage startups to structuring complex business deals, we’ve learned that challenges can be universal, yet the opportunities unique. Having raised over $200 million in venture capital, driven more than $825 million in revenue, and completed over $1 billion in transactions across startups and lower to middle market companies, our track record speaks for itself. With over 100 deals under our belt, we demonstrate that the stage of your idea or business is not a barrier to our collaboration.

We invite you to reach out at any stage of your journey. Postponing this initial conversation could mean missing out on crucial opportunities for growth and partnership. Whether you’re at the drawing board or ready to scale, our doors are open to explore how we can support your ambitions in the startup and private equity spaces.

What are your target deal characteristics?

At Beckett Industries, we focus on companies generating $1 to $50 million in annual revenues within the CPG, technology, and business services sectors. We seek to partner with bootstrapped, capital-efficient businesses that have demonstrated proven growth and sustainable margins. Typically, we look to invest $1 to $5 million in equity per deal, with the flexibility to acquire either minority or majority stakes with a target of 10-20% ownership stake, but it also needs to align best with the company’s growth strategy.

Our target companies are beyond the seed stage and poised for significant growth, ensuring they can scale effectively and achieve market success. We aim for a typical hold period of 3-5 years, with the flexibility to extend up to 10 years when advantageous. Our holistic and flexible approach provides tailored support through hands-on expertise and direct investments via SPVs, ensuring sustainable growth and strategic advancement for the businesses we partner with.

What specific sectors do you focus on?

At Beckett Industries, we specialize in the CPG, technology, and business services sectors. These areas align with our extensive networks, strategic partnerships, and robust resources, allowing us to provide unparalleled support and guidance to the companies we choose to partner with. Our focus on these sectors is driven by our proven track record of success, including multiple successful exits that have demonstrated our ability to transform companies into major industry players.

Our expertise in these sectors enables us to leverage industry-specific knowledge and connections to accelerate growth and achieve market success. By concentrating on CPG, technology, and business services, we can offer tailored strategies and hands-on support, ensuring our portfolio companies benefit from our deep understanding and previous accomplishments in these industries. This sector-focused approach allows us to maximize value and drive sustainable growth for our partner companies.

What makes you different?

At Beckett Industries, we specialize in supporting bootstrapped, family-founder owned companies that are seeking modest capital to scale. Our focus fills the niche between early-stage venture capital and later-stage private equity, addressing the unique needs of businesses at this critical growth phase.

We understand the unique challenges that come with navigating pivotal lifecycle stages. Our expertise lies in helping these companies transition smoothly, leveraging our experience to tackle the obstacles that arise during crucial growth periods.

Our approach to value creation is grounded in a commitment to shared ownership.

We drive strategic initiatives, enhance customer relations, and facilitate acquisitions to ensure sustainable growth and long-term success.

The Beckett Playbook is our proven framework designed to streamline management practices, improve financial operations, solidify banking relationships, boost team capabilities, and foster innovation in both product development and sales strategies.

This comprehensive approach ensures that each company we work with is well-equipped to achieve its growth objectives.

Capital sourcing at Beckett Industries is done on a deal-by-deal basis, allowing our LPs to participate selectively in investments. This approach provides flexibility and avoids the constraints of traditional fund structures, ensuring that both our investors and portfolio companies benefit from targeted, strategic investment decisions.

How We Make Decisions

How do you evaluate potential partnerships or investments?

At Beckett Industries, our decision-making process for evaluating potential partnerships or investments is multifaceted and thorough. We begin by assessing the viability of the deal, the business model, and the market potential. We also examine the passion and commitment of the founders and team, as we believe strong leadership is crucial for success. Additionally, we place significant emphasis on cultural alignment, ensuring our values resonate with those of the companies we partner with.

Our evaluation combines both data-driven analysis and intuitive judgment, leveraging our extensive industry experience and rigorous analytical methods. We look for bootstrapped capital-efficient companies that fit our target market, have demonstrated growth potential, and align with our strategic initiatives. By blending analytical rigor with a deep understanding of the unique challenges these companies face, we ensure that our partnerships are set up for sustainable growth and long-term success.

How important is the financial track record of a company?

The financial track record of a company is a crucial factor in our evaluation process at Beckett Industries. A strong financial history provides insights into the company’s ability to manage resources effectively, sustain growth, and navigate market challenges. It demonstrates the company’s operational efficiency, profitability, and overall financial health, which are essential for assessing the viability and potential return on investment.

However, while a solid financial track record is important, we also recognize the potential of companies that may not yet have an extensive financial history but exhibit strong growth potential, innovative business models, and passionate leadership. We consider these factors alongside the financials to ensure a holistic evaluation. Our approach is to support bootstrapped, family-founder owned companies that are ready to scale, providing them with the strategic guidance and capital needed to achieve their full potential.

How long does the decision-making process usually take?

The decision-making process at Beckett Industries typically takes between 6 to 12 weeks. This timeframe allows us to conduct a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of potential partnerships or investments. During this period, we perform detailed due diligence, including assessing the company’s financial track record, business model, market potential, and the passion and commitment of the founders and team.

We also place significant emphasis on cultural alignment, ensuring our values resonate with those of the companies we partner with. This holistic approach, combining data-driven analysis with our extensive industry experience, ensures that we make well-informed decisions that align with our strategic goals and the long-term success of the companies we invest in. Our goal is to balance efficiency with thoroughness to ensure that each investment decision is sound and beneficial for all parties involved.

Do the founders' or leadership team's vision and values influence decision-making?

Yes, the vision and values of the founders’ family or leadership team significantly influence our decision-making at Beckett Industries. We believe that alignment in vision and values is crucial for a successful partnership. When evaluating potential investments, we assess whether the founders and leadership team share our commitment to growth, innovation, and ethical business practices.

We look for leaders who are passionate, committed, and have a clear vision for their company’s future. This cultural alignment ensures that we can work collaboratively towards common goals, fostering a productive and harmonious relationship. Additionally, to support the growth and success of our portfolio companies, we often bring in our own experienced operators or take temporary leadership roles. This hands-on approach allows us to provide strategic guidance, streamline operations, and build the company effectively as it scales. By partnering with companies whose vision and values resonate with ours, we create a strong foundation for mutual success and long-term growth.

What if a proposed deal doesn't align with your investment criteria?

Transparency and respect are at the core of our operations. If a proposed deal doesn’t align with our investment criteria, we provide clear feedback, outlining the reasons for our decision. We also offer insights and recommendations that might help the company in its future endeavors or refine its approach for potential partnerships.

Our Process

What is your investment process and how long does it take?

Our investment process is thorough and designed to ensure the best outcomes for both our firm and the companies we partner with. The process typically takes between 6 to 12 weeks and begins with an initial screening to evaluate the company’s business model, market potential, and the passion and commitment of the founders and leadership team. We then move into an in-depth due diligence phase, analyzing the company’s financial track record, operational efficiency, growth potential, and market position. We also place a significant emphasis on cultural alignment to ensure our values and vision are compatible.

Following due diligence, we collaborate with the company to develop a comprehensive growth strategy, identifying key areas for improvement and potential opportunities for expansion. To facilitate growth, we may bring in our own experienced operators or take temporary leadership roles, providing hands-on support to streamline management practices and foster innovation. Based on the insights gained, we make a final investment decision, combining data-driven analysis with our extensive industry experience. Once an investment is made, we continue to support the company with strategic guidance, resources, and operational expertise to ensure sustainable growth and long-term success. This structured process ensures well-considered investments aligned with our strategic goals, fostering strong and successful partnerships.

How do you use SPVs on a deal-by-deal basis?

At Beckett Industries, we use Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) on a deal-by-deal basis to align the interests, resources, networks, and experience of our Limited Partners (LPs) with each investment opportunity. This approach allows us to tailor investments to the specific needs and potential of each company, providing customized support and capital.

By employing SPVs, we can selectively engage LPs who bring relevant industry expertise and strategic value to each deal. This structure ensures that our investments benefit from a robust network of experienced professionals, enhancing the growth and success of our portfolio companies. Additionally, the deal-by-deal basis of SPVs allows for greater flexibility and targeted investment, avoiding the constraints of traditional fund structures and ensuring that each partnership is optimally positioned for mutual success.

What should we expect post-investment from Beckett Industries?

Post-investment, Beckett Industries provides ongoing, hands-on support to ensure the growth and success of our portfolio companies. Our involvement goes beyond financial investment; we actively engage with the company’s leadership to implement strategic initiatives and operational improvements. This includes leveraging our extensive network, resources, and industry expertise to drive growth, enhance customer relations, and facilitate acquisitions.

We also bring in experienced operators or take temporary leadership roles as needed to streamline management practices, improve financial operations, and foster innovation in product development and sales strategies. Additionally, we offer continuous strategic guidance, helping to navigate critical growth transitions and address unique challenges at pivotal lifecycle stages. Our commitment is to be a dedicated partner, working closely with the company to achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.

Terms

How much do you usually invest into a company?

We typically invest between $1 to $5 million in equity per deal. However, we have the flexibility to invest smaller or larger amounts depending on the specific needs and potential of each company. Each investment is reviewed on a deal-by-deal basis, allowing us to tailor our capital contribution to align with the company’s unique growth strategies and market opportunities. This flexible approach ensures that we can provide the right level of support to help companies scale effectively and achieve their business objectives.

Do you have strict ownership requirements?

Beckett Industries understands that every venture is unique, and our ownership terms reflect this. While we have general guidelines, they remain flexible to accommodate the individual requirements and growth plans for each deal. Our primary objective is to strike a balance that ensures alignment of interests and the long-term success of the deal.

Will Beckett Industries lead rounds?

Yes, Beckett Industries will lead rounds where it makes sense. We are prepared to take a leadership role in investment rounds when our involvement can significantly contribute to the company’s growth and success. Leading a round allows us to bring our strategic vision, extensive network, and hands-on expertise to the forefront, ensuring that the investment aligns with both our goals and those of the company. Additionally, we are also happy to follow in investment rounds, collaborating with other investors to support the company’s strategic initiatives and long-term objectives. This flexibility allows us to contribute meaningfully, whether we are leading or participating alongside other investors.

Will you sign my confidentiality agreement / NDA?

At Beckett Industries, we respect the confidentiality of the information shared with us. While we are open to reviewing and signing confidentiality agreements or NDAs, we have standard protocols in place to ensure the protection of sensitive information throughout our discussions and due diligence process.

What It’s Like to Work With Us

What makes Beckett Industries different?

Beckett Industries stands out due to our unique focus on bootstrapped, family-founder owned companies that need modest capital to scale. We fill the niche between early-stage venture capital and later-stage private equity, targeting businesses that are navigating critical growth transitions and addressing unique challenges at pivotal lifecycle stages. Our commitment to shared ownership drives strategic initiatives, enhances customer relations, and facilitates acquisitions, creating significant value for the companies we invest in.

Our Beckett Playbook enforces a rigorous framework designed to streamline management, improve financial practices, solidify banking relationships, enhance team capabilities, and foster innovation in product development and sales strategies. We source funds from LPs on a deal-by-deal basis, allowing for selective investment participation and avoiding the constraints of traditional fund structures. With over 30 years of experience and a proven track record—including raising over $200 million in capital, creating over $825 million in revenue, and completing over $1 billion in transactions—we bring extensive knowledge, expertise, and a hands-on approach to every investment. Our seasoned team, with its wealth of experience, is dedicated to helping companies achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.

How do you help your companies raise money?

We leverage our extensive network, industry expertise, and strategic partnerships to help our portfolio companies raise capital. We assist in crafting compelling investment pitches and presentations, highlighting the unique value propositions and growth potential of each company. Our team provides guidance on structuring deals and identifying the most suitable investors, ensuring that the fundraising efforts align with the company’s strategic goals.

Additionally, we often bring in our own experienced operators or take temporary leadership roles to streamline operations and enhance the company’s appeal to potential investors. By sourcing funds from LPs on a deal-by-deal basis, we can also directly contribute to the fundraising process. Our hands-on approach and deep understanding of the market help our portfolio companies secure the necessary capital to scale and achieve their business objectives.

How will you support me in future financings?

We provide comprehensive support to our portfolio companies in future financings. We leverage our extensive network of investors, strategic partners, and industry contacts to help you connect with potential funding sources. Our team assists in preparing detailed financial models, compelling investment pitches, and comprehensive business plans to present to investors, ensuring that your company’s value proposition is clearly communicated.

We also offer strategic advice on deal structuring and negotiations, ensuring that future financings align with your long-term growth objectives. Our involvement may include bringing in our own experienced operators or taking temporary leadership roles to enhance your company’s operational efficiency and attractiveness to investors. By continuously providing hands-on support, guidance, and access to our resources, we help ensure that you are well-positioned for successful future funding rounds, enabling sustained growth and long-term success.

What is Beckett Industries' anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy?

Beckett Industries maintains a strict anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy. We believe that every individual deserves respect, dignity, and an environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment. This policy is enforced across all our engagements and interactions, and we expect the same commitment from the companies and partners we work with.

What is Beckett Industries' stance on diversity and inclusion?

At Beckett Industries, we recognize and celebrate the power of diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences. We are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, both internally and within our portfolio companies. We believe that diversity drives innovation and resilience, and we actively promote and support initiatives that champion diversity and inclusion in the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

How do you help your companies hire?

We understand the importance of having the right talent on board. We assist our companies by leveraging our expansive network to identify potential hires, provide insights on organizational structuring, and offer best practices for talent acquisition and retention. We also facilitate introductions to top-tier recruitment firms when specialized roles need to be filled.

How do you help your companies acquire customers? How do you help companies grow?

We adopt a hands-on approach when it comes to customer acquisition and growth. We assist with refining go-to-market strategies, provide introductions to potential clients within our network, and share best practices from our vast experience with portfolio companies. Furthermore, we offer guidance on scaling operations, optimizing sales funnels, and enhancing customer experiences to ensure sustained growth.

Does Beckett Industries partners take board seats?

While we are deeply involved and committed to the success of our portfolio companies, our decision to take board seats is based on the specific needs and agreement with the company in question. When we do take a board seat, it’s with the intent of offering strategic guidance, governance, and support to ensure the company’s long-term growth and success.

The Basics

Is Beckett Industries hiring for any internal roles?

While we infrequently hire internally, Beckett Industries is always on the lookout for exceptional talent for our portfolio companies. If you’re passionate about making a difference in the startup ecosystem and looking for an exciting opportunity, we’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out!

Who are Beckett Industries' investors?

Beckett Industries’ investor base is diverse and robust, comprising angels, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and other institutional partners. We have successfully raised over $200 million from a wide range of investors, from small private groups to some of the largest and most prominent institutions on the planet. This diverse investor base enables us to provide flexible and substantial financial support to our portfolio companies, leveraging the collective expertise and resources of our partners to drive growth and success.

Where are your offices?

Beckett Industries, is anchored in Grand Rapids, MI, reflecting our deep roots and commitment to the region. However, our reach extends far beyond, with partners scattered across the United States. This strategic distribution of our team enables us to maintain a strong pulse on various markets and remain intimately connected with a vast network of industry leaders, enhancing our ability to support and grow with the diverse companies we partner with.

How can potential startups or companies get in touch with Beckett Industries?

We’ve historically valued referrals from people we know and trust. This includes people leading and employed by Beckett Industries companies, angel investors, other entrepreneurs, etc. It gives us more data to work with.

A direct referral will get a quicker response, but don’t be afraid to email us yourself. We know good companies can come from anywhere, so we review every single deal we receive, whether it’s through a warm intro or cold outreach.

Whether you're just getting started, seeking funding, or transitioning your company, Beckett Industries is here to help you. Make us your go-to partner from the start; the sooner we connect, the more impact we can have. Reach out and let's have a conversation.

Whether you're just getting started, seeking funding, or transitioning your company, Beckett Industries is here to help you. Make us your go-to partner from the start; the sooner we connect, the more impact we can have. Reach out and let's have a conversation.

© 2024 Beckett Industries. All Rights Reserved.

We help connect the dots to build enduring companies. Make us your go-to partner from the start; the sooner we connect, the more impact we can have. Reach out and start a conversation.