LongWater Opportunities

Overview

LongWater Opportunities is a private equity firm specializing in lower middle market investments across multiple asset classes, including private equity, private credit, and LP fund commitments. The firm focuses on U.S.-based manufacturing, industrial, and business services companies with proven models and potential for long-term value creation. Their investment approach emphasizes flexibility, speed, and certainty, leveraging strong relationships and deep expertise in the lower middle market to provide access to flexible strategies and reliable support for high-quality credit and equity transactions. The firm's Capital Solutions team offers a range of strategies, including private credit, minority equity, and LP fund commitments, aiming to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns that transcend market cycles. Their investment criteria target North American lower-middle market companies with diversified industries, a minimum EBITDA of $3 million at entry, strong margin profiles, stable cash flows, defensible end markets, compelling value propositions, and experienced management teams. In October 2023, LongWater launched a dedicated private credit and capital solutions strategy, expanding its lower-middle market product offerings. This initiative was led by a team of eight seasoned private investment professionals with expertise in private credit, equity co-investments, and primary LP equity commitments to general partners. The team previously managed a portfolio of over $4 billion in assets, providing a strong foundation for LongWater's new platform. The firm's commitment to backing strong businesses seeking growth and scale is further demonstrated by its investment in Valley Lighting, a provider of commercial lighting and shading solutions, marking the first deployment of capital from LongWater's inaugural SBIC fund in June 2025. LongWater's track record reflects a dedication to building real partnerships based on deep relationships and midwestern values. Since its founding in 2009, the firm has evolved from a private equity specialist to a comprehensive private markets access point, offering a diverse suite of alternative investment solutions across the lower-middle market. Their approach is characterized by a genuine interest in people, creating clarity through simplicity, staying positive while confronting reality, building trusting relationships, and serving with humility.

Investment Focus

• Defensible U.S. production
• Low labor content
• Compelling organic growth prospects
• Revenues between $10 million and $50 million
• EBITDA between $3 million and $10 million

Portfolio Companies