2017 Year In Review

Summary

2017 was a solid year for Avante.  We reviewed 550 deals across a variety of industries.  We closed two new platforms, supported three add-on acquisitions, and had two realizations.  We also added one new team member.  Thank you to all those that supported us during 2017 and we look forward to working with you in 2018.

Portfolio Activity

The last twelve months have been an active year for our portfolio.  We had two full realizations in Fund I for our portfolio companies Therapeutic Research and Delphon.  Both realizations resulted in strong returns to our investors.  We also supported three add-on acquisitions.

In 2017, we invested in two new platform companies.  In November, we supported the buyout of DSG Consulting by Stone-Goff Partners. DSG is a provider of sales enablement services to Fortune 1000 companies.  In December, we supported the buyout of a sponsor-backed company in the healthcare industry (company and sponsor are confidential).

We are actively working on several new, potential opportunities, and we expect to have additional financings to share with you soon.

Human Resources News

In November, we hired Phillip Belcher as an associate in our Los Angeles office.  Phillip has three years of investment experience and a degree from Columbia University.

Our CEO Jeri Harman was once again named to Merger & Acquisitions Magazine’s 2018 Most Influential Women.  If you’re counting, that’s three years in a row for this distinguished honor.  Congrats Jeri!

Avante is hiring! We are looking for part-time MBA interns to support our team.  Qualified candidates should send their resumes to careers@avantemezzanine.com.

Key Statistics in YTD 2017

Reviewed 550 deals

Deal sources included private equity firms, intermediaries, other mezzanine funds, senior lenders, and entrepreneurs

Top Sectors:  Business Services-18%, Consumer-16%, Healthcare/Life Sciences-15%, IT Services/Software-14%, Manufacturing-14%

Top Uses of Proceeds:  LBO-67%, Refi-22%, Acquisition-7%, Growth-2%

Geography: Central-34%, West-32%, East-19%, Southeast-15%

Recent and Upcoming Events

January 24 – 7th Annual Women in Corporate Growth Luncheon, Los Angeles, CA

March 8 – Women’s Private Equity Summit in Half Moon Bay, CA

April 18 – SBIA Western Private Equity Conference, Santa Monica, CA