Building value by driving the people who operate inside our investments. It’s called Working Class Private Equity.
Thornblade Capital is a private investment and advisory firm focused on lower middle market service and tech-enabled companies. We offer flexible capital and advisory that goes far beyond checking a box or an investment criteria.
Flexible capital, and the operating help that usually isn’t on offer.
From board-level advisory, to investment through either equity or debt, to an ability to provide CXO services that most small businesses don’t have access to.
Investment
Flexible capital solutions structured around the business in front of us, not a mandate written before we met.
- Equity or debt
- Control and non-control positions
- Partners invest personal capital alongside
- Syndication partners allow investment upstream in larger transactions
Advisory
Strategic insight, research and access that accelerates a small business owner’s decision making and widens their options.
- Board-level advisory
- Relationship and channel access
- Research and market diligence
- Board and director positions
CXO Services
Operating and strategic resources most companies this size cannot hire on their own.
- Industry-specific operators
- Data science and technology
- Finance and planning leadership
- Talent and workforce strategy
Hands on, inside the business, every day.
At Thornblade Capital we take a hands-on approach with small business owners and get involved with the operating and strategic resources that drive opportunity and growth within a business.
Not just taking smart risks — but reducing the time it takes to eliminate a risk, which is a value often lost in today’s investment pitch. With over $3 billion in executed transactions, no deal is too small or too big.
Thornblade Capital looks for great relationships with talented management teams and owners who are looking for a solution to their current business.
Relationship first
No preconceived mandates, timers or expectations before the first conversation.
Personal capital
The partners investing put their own money in, which brings true ownership and candor from the gate.
Sleeves rolled up
We don’t financial engineer or manage from afar. We are inside each investment every day.
Resource, then results
Every opportunity brings industry-related resource, personnel and technology to drive better results.
What we have been working on.
TBC gets invited into latest Stripe investment round
An invitation into the latest round, alongside our syndication partners.
Read → PortfolioA great year at AboutU in NYC
Failing decision makers gives rise to platforms like AboutU.
Read → PortfolioBusiness owners want more talent and lower operating costs. Enter HKA.
Year after year the same two asks. HKA was built to answer both.
Read →No deal is too small, or too big.
If you are an owner or a management team looking for a solution to your current business, start a conversation. There is no mandate to fit.