Speedwagon Capital
Private equityChicago · Seed · 8 people tracked
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Investment thesis
Speedwagon Capital Partners pursues opportunistic, value-driven investments in situations marked by complexity, dislocation, or overlooked potential. Originating as a distressed investor during the 2008 financial crisis, the firm has carried a discipline through multiple market cycles. Its integrated approach spans sourcing, underwriting, acquiring, operating, and exiting complex opportunities. Deal sourcing emphasizes off-market and proprietary channels where competition is limited, supported by long-standing relationships with owners, lenders, brokers, and operators. The firm underwrites the downside first, structures capital flexibly to align interests and manage uncertainty, and executes business plans through hands-on asset management. It invests meaningful firm capital alongside its partners.
Source: firm website, verified Oct 2, 2026.
Team · 8 people
from the firm's website & public directoriesCo-founder of Speedwagon Capital Partners with extensive experience in operations, business development, and technology. He was previously COO of United Financial Mortgage Corp., where he built and managed the company's processes and systems. He holds a BS in Finance, Economics and Psychology from Elmhurst College.
Co-founder of Speedwagon Capital Partners who has been with Sterling Partners for over 25 years, with extensive experience across real estate acquisition, oversight, and disposition. He previously was a managing partner of a Chicago commodities firm and a practicing attorney, and holds a BA from the University of Illinois and a JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Founding partner of Speedwagon Capital Partners with over 30 years of experience as an operator and investor. Before starting the firm in 2007, he was President/CEO of United Financial Mortgage Corp., which he grew into a major mortgage lender before selling it to a hedge fund in 2005. He has also taught economics at Loyola University of Chicago and holds a BS from Bradley University and an MBA from Loyola.
Partner focused on investments in real assets and adjacent sectors, responsible for forming and implementing investment strategies and serving on the Investment Committee. He has over a dozen years of experience as an investor, operator, and developer across real estate sectors, and holds a BBA in Real Estate & Urban Land Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Responsible for investor relations at Speedwagon Capital Partners, building and maintaining investor relationships. His background spans interior design project purchasing, operations and trading at a Eurodollar options firm at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and hotel renovation projects. He holds a degree from the University of Colorado Boulder School of Business.
Vice President focused on real estate investments, development, and venture initiatives, overseeing current investments, sourcing opportunities, and structuring capital solutions. He previously led real estate for a public MSO, served as VP of acquisitions in cellular infrastructure and renewables, and was an investment sales broker. He holds a BS in Business Entrepreneurship & Real Estate from Arizona State University.
Vice President focused on real estate investment and development, early-stage venture investment, and investor relations, responsible for underwriting, overseeing investments, sourcing opportunities, and fundraising. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Chicago.
What they invest in
from 1 of 1 portfolio companiesAdvanced Manufacturing ×1Cleantech ×1Climate Tech ×1Energy ×1
HQs:United States×1
Investments · 1 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathRise Reforming converts stranded biogas from wastewater plants, farms, and landfills into valuable chemicals including dimethyl ether (DME), methanol, and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) using modular, containerized technology.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechEnergyChicago, US
George Rose(CEO)inLucas Zubillaga(CTO)inJona van Oord(COO)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorLongJump VenturesMFV PartnersSeven Seven SixTekedia CapitalVelocity Catalyst Fund
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesRise Reforming · ycombinator.com · Jul 13, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Speedwagon Capital invest at?
- Speedwagon Capital invests at the Seed stage.
- What sectors does Speedwagon Capital focus on?
- Speedwagon Capital focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, PropTech.
- Where is Speedwagon Capital located?
- Speedwagon Capital is headquartered in Chicago, US.
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