Fundraising Fox

Midwest Mezzanine Funds

Venture debt

Chicago · Growth · 11 people tracked

Also known as MMF CAPITAL MANAGEMENT V LLC

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Investment thesis

Midwest Mezzanine Funds provides customized junior capital solutions to the lower middle market, primarily financing private equity acquisitions. The firm targets companies with strong and historically consistent performance, sustainable competitive advantages, and capable management teams, focusing on the manufacturing, distribution, and services sectors. With over three decades of history, it positions itself as a dependable financing partner across multiple funds.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Growth
Check
$4M – $15M
HQ
Chicago, US
Leads rounds
Leads
Instruments
Debt · Equity
Founded
1992
AUM
$267.5M
Tracked investments
150

Team · 11 people

from the firm's website
Ana Winters· Senior Managing Director

Joined Midwest in 2004 from LaSalle Bank's Leveraged Finance Group and previously worked at Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen. She holds an MBA from Chicago Booth and a BS from DePaul, and passed the CPA exam.

Michael Foster· Senior Managing Director

Joined Midwest Mezzanine Funds in 2001 after a commercial banking career, having been a Senior Vice President and Division Head in LaSalle Bank's Leveraged Lending Group. Holds an MBA from DePaul University and a BA from Georgetown University.

Paul Kreie· Senior Managing Director

With the firm since 1999 and over 20 years of lower middle market experience, he previously worked in the Corporate Finance Group of Heller Financial. He holds an MBA from Chicago Booth, a BS from Marquette, and is a CFA charterholder.

Elliott Linsley· Managing Director

Joined Midwest as a Vice President in 2015, previously working at Maxim Partners, Webster Equity Partners, and RBC Capital Markets. He earned an MBA from Kellogg and a BA from Bates College.

James Fox· Director

Joined Midwest as an Associate in 2018, previously working at CapX Partners and Wintrust Financial. He earned a BA in Economics and Classics from the College of the Holy Cross.

Jason Vandermyde· Vice President

Joined Midwest as a Senior Associate in 2022, previously working in BMO Harris Bank's Sponsor Finance group. He earned a BSB in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.

David Gezon· Advisor

Founder of Midwest in 1992 with over 25 years of mezzanine and private equity experience, having previously worked at Kleinwort Benson, GE Capital, and Harris Trust. He holds an MBA from Kellogg and a BS from Miami University (Ohio).

Grant Wargo· Associate

Joined Midwest as an Associate in 2025 after three years at Fifth Third Bank underwriting cash flow transactions. He earned a BSB in Finance and Accounting from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.

Nathan Tokarz· Vice President Business Development

Joined Midwest in 2019 to lead business development, having spent five years in Associated Bank's Commercial Finance Group and previously worked at First Midwest Bank and Silicon Valley Bank. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois.

Rubi Moore· Staff Accountant

Joined Midwest Mezzanine in 2016 and works as a Staff Accountant handling investor and SBA reporting, fund financial statements, and other finance functions. She holds a BA in Accounting from the University of San Jose Recoletos.

William Lump· CFO

Joined Midwest in 2025 as CFO, having previously served as CFO of Encurage Financial Network Credit Union, Prospect Partners, and Prism Capital, and spent 13 years at Ernst & Young. He holds an MBA from Chicago Booth and is a CPA in Illinois.

What they invest in

from 1 of 150 portfolio companies

Advanced Manufacturing ×1

HQs:United States×1

Investments · 150 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path
ACI Electronics
ACT Lighting
Addison Traverse Manufacturing
Addisontraverseaddisontraverse.com
Alcretealcrete.com
Alexander Doll Company
All Island Media
Allied 100
Allied100allied100.com
Apexanalogapexanalog.com
Applied Adhesives
Applied Technology Ventures
Astar Heating & Air, LLC
Automotivecolorautomotivecolor.us
Awhapawhap.com
Banker's Systems
Baywestbaywest.com
Blackcreekiscblackcreekisc.com
Blair Duron
Blind and Sons, LLC
CALco Pallet Company
Capcoinccapcoinc.com
Capsa Solutions
Castle Dental Centers
Centurydrillcenturydrill.com
Chippewaconcreteserviceschippewaconcreteservices.com
Circuit Check
City Wide Building Services
Cleaningguyscleaningguys.com
Connecticut Electricconnecticut-electric.com
Connecticut Steel
CoreMedical Group
CourseTrends
Crown Battery
Currie Medical
Datamark
Daystar Products
DCM Services
Dealers Engine Sales
Denison Pharmaceuticals
DeZurik

Advanced ManufacturingSartell, US

BONITA P. FUNK(Executive Officer)SCOTT P. CRANE(CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER)TIMOTHY P. NEBOSIS(Executive Officer)SCOTT P. VONFISCHER(Director)LARRY KORF(CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD)SHERRI MCDANIEL(Director)

DG Foods
Diversified Fall Protection
Dorsett Technologies
Driven Performance Brands
EB Brands
Eckler's Industries
Edina Financial Services
Elgin National Industries
Eliason
ETI Holding
Fab-Tech
Fallprotectfallprotect.com
Fiber Composites
FireKing International
Fluence Automation
Form Tech
Foundationdentalpartnersfoundationdentalpartners.com
FPM Heat Treating
Frontier Fire

Frequently asked questions

What stage does Midwest Mezzanine Funds invest at?
Midwest Mezzanine Funds invests at the Growth stage.
What is Midwest Mezzanine Funds's typical check size?
Midwest Mezzanine Funds typically writes checks of $4M – $15M.
What sectors does Midwest Mezzanine Funds focus on?
Midwest Mezzanine Funds focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Tech, Enterprise Software, Logistics & Supply Chain.
Where is Midwest Mezzanine Funds located?
Midwest Mezzanine Funds is headquartered in Chicago, US.
Does Midwest Mezzanine Funds lead rounds?
Yes, Midwest Mezzanine Funds leads investment rounds.

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