Gridiron Capital
Private equityNew Canaan · Growth–Late Stage
Investment thesis
Gridiron Capital pursues a thematic, sector-focused private equity strategy centered on business services, consumer products and services, and industrial growth companies. It targets platform businesses with enterprise value of $150M+, deploying equity investments of $100M+, and executes buyouts, founder recapitalizations, and corporate divestitures. The firm seeks companies with motivated management teams, sustainable market leadership, high free cash flow conversion, and high-value products or services. Through its 'Gridiron Playbook,' Centers of Excellence, Operating Partners, and a Board of Business Executives, Gridiron combines a 'Winning Together' culture with operational expertise to accelerate growth. Platform investments focus on North America, while add-on acquisitions are pursued globally.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 6, 2026.
Investments · 12 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathDirect-to-consumer residential products and services company primarily offering re-roofing solutions across 32 states.
Category-leading manufacturer of branded and private label wellness solutions; Gridiron partnered in 2019.
Leader in the enthusiast sportsman and rugged outdoor industry; Gridiron partnered in 2020.
Provider of turnkey impulse product and service solutions to retail stores via a national direct store delivery network.
Supplier of heavy-duty and high-horsepower vehicle aftermarket parts and services.
A holding company for a family of brands (Nationwide Marketing Group, FEI, Azione) operating as a tech-driven commerce enablement platform serving independent dealers in around-the-home categories such as residential services, appliances, furniture, bedding, and consumer electronics.
National provider of managed services, food and beverage staffing, and specialty cleaning services for casinos, hotels, resorts, corporate cafeterias, stadiums, arenas, and events.
Fund performance · per public LP disclosures · 5
as of Jun 2025| Fund | Vintage | Committed | Net IRR | TVPI | DPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gridiron Fund VLPs: Tulare County Employees' Retirement Association | 2023 | — | 9.5% | 1.11x | 0.11x |
| Gridiron Capital Fund V, L.P.LPs: Sacramento County Employees' Retirement System, Santa Barbara County Employees' Retirement System | 2022 | — | 12.2% | 1.12x | 0.00x |
| Gridiron Capital Fund IV, L.P.LPs: Sacramento County Employees' Retirement System, Santa Barbara County Employees' Retirement System, Fresno County Employees' Retirement Association | 2019 | — | 22.4% | 1.95x | 0.53x |
| Gridiron Capital Fund III, L.P.LPs: Santa Barbara County Employees' Retirement System | 2015 | — | 46.3% | 5.26x | 2.90x |
| Gridiron Capital Fund IILPs: Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, Santa Barbara County Employees' Retirement System | 2012 | — | 12.2% | 1.71x | 1.57x |
Source: public limited-partner disclosures (CalPERS, CalSTRS). Net IRR / TVPI / DPI as reported by the limited partner; a fund's early-year IRR is an interim estimate (J-curve).
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Gridiron Capital invest at?
- Gridiron Capital invests at the Growth, Late Stage stages.
- What is Gridiron Capital's typical check size?
- Gridiron Capital typically writes checks of $100M.
- What sectors does Gridiron Capital focus on?
- Gridiron Capital focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Consumer, Enterprise Software.
- Where is Gridiron Capital located?
- Gridiron Capital is headquartered in New Canaan, US.
- Does Gridiron Capital lead rounds?
- Yes, Gridiron Capital leads investment rounds.
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