CHICAGO, IL – October 29, 2024 – Avathon Capital is honored to be included for the second consecutive year in Inc. magazine’s annual Founder-Friendly Investors list. This year’s list honored private equity, venture capital and debt firms with the best track records of success backing founders. Awardees are actively involved with the businesses they invest in and have earned the trust of the founders they support to help drive growth.
“At Avathon Capital, we believe there is nothing more important than who you surround yourself with,” said Shoshana Vernick. “We are honored that Inc. recognizes Avathon for our collaborative, prepared approach to founder partnerships. Our goal is to be the preferred partner for founders, helping them build on their vision with tailored strategies, access to our highly referenceable network, and the assurance that we are invested in both the legacy and future of their businesses.”
The name “Avathon,” derived from the Greek roots “Av” (to bind together) and “athon” (marathon), reflects the firm’s philosophy of bringing together ideas, talent, and resources to support the growth of companies that stand the test of time. Founded in 2015, Avathon Capital has since partnered with 14 founders and executives, leveraging its deep sector knowledge, operational expertise, and deep and wide network to drive transformational growth and build strategically relevant businesses.
“Avathon impressed me by thoroughly understanding what set Magical Beginnings apart. They valued the longevity of my staff, took a close look at the management team, and demonstrated a commitment to preserving the company’s core values.” said Linda Hassapis, founder of Avathon portfolio company Magical Beginnings. “Conversations with others who had worked with Avathon, like the founder of Avathon portfolio company, Big Blue Marble, were instrumental in my decision.”
Avathon’s portfolio is filled with successful partnerships that speak to its collaborative approach. This includes notable leaders like Patrick Vogt, who has steered founder transitions as CEO for two Avathon companies, and Eric Burns, Co-CEO and founder of Panopto, who remarked, “Avathon stood out as great capital partners in their ability to help us improve our business strategies while giving us the flexibility to learn, explore, and innovate. Together we created positive social impact and tremendous growth.”
Introduced in 2019, the Founder-Friendly Investors list quickly established itself as one of Inc.’s most resourceful franchises. It has become a go-to guide for entrepreneurs who want to grow their companies while retaining an ownership stake.
The November 2024 issue of Inc. magazine is available online now at https://www.inc.com/magazine and will be on newsstands beginning October 29.
About Avathon Capital. Avathon Capital, a private equity firm based in Chicago, specializes in investing in growing, lower middle market companies in the education and workforce markets. Avathon’s principals are curious, creative, determined, and thoughtful investors. They show up prepared and ready to turn their relationships and experience into a competitive advantage for their partners. Avathon selectively targets opportunities where it can invest $20 to $50 million of equity capital and take a meaningful ownership position in companies with the potential to become enduring and strategically important businesses in their market. For more information visit: www.avathoncapital.com.
About Inc. Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.’s award-winning work achieves a monthly brand footprint of more than 40 million across a variety of channels, including events, digital, print, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since its launch as the Inc. 100 in 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.