Great Hill Equity Partners is a private equity firm focused on investments in high-growth, technology-enabled companies across various sectors. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, this firm has established itself as a significant player in the private equity landscape, particularly known for its expertise in growth equity investments. This article delves into the key aspects of Great Hill Equity Partners, drawing insights from publicly available information to provide a comprehensive overview.
Understanding Great Hill Equity Partners
Founded in 1998, Great Hill Equity Partners has a long track record of partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to help scale rapidly growing companies. The firm’s investment philosophy centers around identifying businesses with proven business models and significant growth potential. They typically invest in companies where technology plays a crucial role in driving efficiency and innovation.
According to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Great Hill Equity Partners operates through a series of investment funds. The filing pertains to “Form D,” a notice of exempt offering of securities, and involves several entities related to their seventh fund, namely:
- Great Hill Equity Partners VII, L.P.
- Great Hill Equity Partners VII PV, L.P.
- Great Hill Equity Partners VII-Pref, L.P.
- Great Hill Equity Partners VII-Pref PV, L.P.
These entities, all established in 2019 and based at 200 Clarendon St., 29th Flr., Boston, MA 02116, are indicative of the fund structure employed by Great Hill Equity Partners for their Fund VII. The listed phone number, (617) 790-9400, serves as the primary contact for the firm.
Leadership at Great Hill Equity Partners
The Form D filing also sheds light on the key personnel associated with Great Hill Equity Partners. Several individuals are listed as executive officers through their roles in the General Partner structure:
- Great Hill Partners GP VII, L.P. serves as the General Partner of the Issuers.
- GHP VII, LLC acts as the General Partner of the General Partner, referred to as the “Top GP.”
Within this leadership structure, prominent names include:
- Christopher S. Gaffney: Managing Partner of the Top GP
- Mark D. Taber: Managing Partner of the Top GP
- Matthew T. Vettel: Managing Partner of the Top GP
- Michael A. Kumin: Managing Partner of the Top GP
These individuals, all located at the same Boston address, represent the core leadership team guiding Great Hill Equity Partners and its investment strategies. Their expertise and experience are crucial to the firm’s operations and investment decisions.
Investment Focus and Fund VII
Great Hill Equity Partners primarily focuses on the “Pooled Investment Fund” industry group, specifically within “Private Equity Funds.” This classification underscores their role in raising capital from investors and deploying it into private companies with high growth potential. They are not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as indicated in the SEC filing.
While the filing does not detail specific investment sectors, Great Hill Equity Partners is generally known to invest across sectors like software, digital infrastructure, financial technology, healthcare technology, and consumer internet. Their investment strategy typically involves providing growth capital to help companies expand their market presence, accelerate product development, or pursue strategic acquisitions.
Fund VII, as highlighted in the Form D, represents a significant capital pool. The “Total Offering Amount” listed is $2,500,000,000 USD, with the “Total Amount Sold” matching this figure. This suggests a substantial fund size aimed at continuing Great Hill Equity Partners‘ investment activities in their target sectors. The minimum investment accepted from outside investors is stated as $0, which likely refers to the fund’s internal structuring rather than implying accessibility for all investor types. The number of investors already invested in the offering is noted as 216.
Conclusion
Great Hill Equity Partners stands as a well-established private equity firm with a focus on growth equity and technology-driven businesses. Their Fund VII, launched in 2019, signifies their ongoing commitment to investing in promising companies. With a leadership team based in Boston and a clear industry focus, Great Hill Equity Partners continues to play a vital role in the private equity ecosystem, providing capital and expertise to fuel the growth of innovative businesses. For those interested in private equity or seeking partnerships with growth-oriented investors, Great Hill Equity Partners represents a notable firm to consider within the landscape.
