Cardinal Equity Partners

About The Fund

Cardinal Equity Partners is a family office-backed, Indianapolis-based private equity firm with a specialized focus on partnering with management teams in niche middle-market companies to achieve long-term value creation. With a multi-family ownership model, they differentiate themselves from traditional institutionally funded private equity groups by investing their own equity alongside several like-minded investors, enabling a focus on long-term growth rather than immediate returns dictated by IRR mandates. This investment approach empowers management teams to make decisions that align with the company’s long-term interests, customers, and employees. Cardinal targets Midwest-headquartered manufacturing, value-added distribution, or service companies with a history of positive financial performance and growth potential, either organically or through acquisitions. They have over two decades of experience in acquiring and building businesses, providing strategic advisory at a board level without micro-management, and enabling management teams to execute their business plans with the necessary resources. Cardinal Equity Partners implements a patient and flexible investment strategy by utilizing conservative capital structures that foster a robust balance sheet and strategic flexibility. They seek to invest between $2 million to $10 million of equity capital, primarily in recapitalizations, management buyouts, family legacy situations, and corporate divestitures in businesses with annual sales between $5 million to $50 million and annual EBITDA between $1 million to $10 million. The firm holds extensive industry expertise across various sectors, including consumer packaged goods, healthcare services, financial services, and more, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and respect throughout the investment process. Their partnership-oriented philosophy extends to offering management teams significant equity incentives, underlining the belief in management as partners in business success. Cardinal Equity Partners maintains an active role in the growth and development of their portfolio companies, investing in people and strategies that enable these businesses to thrive and succeed over time.