Private Equity

Based in Los Angeles, Manhattan West Private Equity targets the most attractive underserved sectors in media, entertainment, and sports. We are active value-add investors in lower middle market companies partnering with entrepreneurs to drive exponential growth.

With over two decades of investment experience, we leverage our deep industry knowledge and ecosystem of industry operators/investors to partner with businesses led by exceptional management teams undergoing a strategic inflection point.

Favorable Sector Focus

The Fund has a disciplined investment thesis behind specific trends in three key sectors:

Proprietary
Sourcing

As part of a specialized investment firm, we have exclusive access to a client network of executives, entertainers, and athletes who provide evergreen deal flow focused on media, entertainment, and sports sectors where we have extensive deal experience and relationships.

Unique
Value-Add

We seek operational involvement in portfolio companies where we can “roll-up-our sleeves” and leverage our client network to create value through investment structures that provide substantial protection without limiting “home-run” potential.

Limited
Competition

Disciplined focus on value-add lower middle market companies where we can “move the needle” with operators and fill a void in the market as a sophisticated investment fund targeting smaller deal sizes.

Lower Middle Market
Focus

Focus on the lower middle market where returns are typically larger, management teams tend to be more entrepreneurial, less private equity competition exists, operational improvements can be more abundant, and larger strategic buyers can drive outsized returns upon exit.

Investment Criteria

CHECK SIZE
$5-25 million

Upper end through co-invest

OWNERSHIP
25-100%

Mix of primary or secondary capital

REVENUE SIZE
< $100 million
 
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Strong Cash Flow

Unique growth in resilient industries

Our Edge

NIMBLE AND FLEXIBLE
  • Advantage as a smaller manager given most larger managers are unable or unwilling to deliver sophisticated solutions to the lower middle market at our deal size
  • Ability to underwrite and close quickly due to our execution efficiency
Exclusive Sourcing Network
  • Unique investment opportunities are sourced through our exclusive relationships built over years of specialized deal experience
  • Proprietary deal flow is also sourced through the firm’s client network of executives, entertainers, and athletes, many of whom are investors in our fund
Operational Engagement
  • Operational, not passive investing, is a key driver for outperformance and creates a “target-rich” investment landscape when evaluating opportunities
  • Active involvement at numerous levels of portfolio companies helps to control the outcome

Select Portfolio Investments

Formula 1 Exhibition

Manhattan West Private Equity is the majority investor in the F1 Exhibition, a first-of-its-kind immersive and interactive exhibition that brings to life motorsports’ greatest spectacle.

The exhibition is being produced in partnership with Formula 1®, Round Room Studios (an Entertainment One company), and Manhattan West.

Formula 1® is the world’s second largest sport with over 500 million fans. Each championship takes place over 23 races across 5 continents. It is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition.

This transaction was sourced through Manhattan West’s proprietary relationships and is an example of our value-add approach as we partner with management to develop and execute on growth opportunities for the business.

Vino Vault Wine Storage

Manhattan West is the lead investor in Vino Vault, a leading provider in the U.S. for wine storage and a full suite of value-added ancillary services, including a digital marketplace for consumers, concierge-style wine storage, expert inventory management, collection analysis, logistics, and turnkey auction management services.

The Company’s management team is comprised of former Iron Mountain (NYSE:IRM) senior leadership with extensive M&A experience, completing and integrating ~70 acquisitions during their tenure.

Vino Vault’s mission is to become the nation’s largest, most comprehensive, and leading tech-enabled service in the wine industry to general enthusiasts and serious connoisseurs.

This transaction was sourced through Manhattan West’s long-standing relationship with a senior member of the management team and reflects our value-add approach through operational support, advising on M&A, and marketing to our deep relationships of high-net-worth individuals.

Investment Criteria

CHECK SIZE
$5-25 million
Upper end through co-invest

Our Edge

Nimble and flexible
  • Advantage as a smaller manager given most larger managers are unable or unwilling to deliver sophisticated solutions to the lower middle market at our deal size
  • Ability to underwrite and close quickly due to our execution efficiency
Exclusive Sourcing Network
  • Unique investment opportunities are sourced through our exclusive relationships built over years of specialized deal experience
  • Proprietary deal flow is also sourced through the firm’s client network of executives, entertainers, and athletes, many of whom are investors in our fund
Operational Engagement
  • Operational, not passive investing, is a key driver for outperformance and creates a “target-rich” investment landscape when evaluating opportunities
  • Active involvement at numerous levels of portfolio companies helps to control the outcome