AUA Private Equity Partners, a prominent consumer-focused private equity firm, has announced the successful final closing of its Fund II, LP, and associated parallel funds (collectively known as “Fund II”). The fund secured total capital commitments of $310 million, exceeding its initial $300 million target. This achievement underscores investor confidence in Aua Equity Partners’ strategy and its commitment to investing in Hispanic-oriented and family-owned businesses. Fund II attracted significant interest from both existing and new investors, including pension funds, foundations, family offices, fund of funds, and high-net-worth individuals.
Fund II will continue AUA Equity Partners’ proven investment strategy of targeting lower middle-market companies within the consumer sector in the United States. The firm focuses on deploying equity investments ranging from $20 million to $75 million, specifically targeting consumer products and consumer services companies. AUA Equity Partners distinguishes itself by providing robust operational support, aiming to transform family-run businesses into institutional-grade industry leaders. Their investment philosophy centers on disciplined purchase prices and prudent leverage, prioritizing operational enhancements over financial engineering to generate strong returns for their investors.
Andy Unanue, Managing Partner at AUA Equity Partners, expressed his enthusiasm: “The oversubscribed final closing for Fund II is a moment of immense pride and gratitude. We deeply value the partnership with our high-quality investors who believe in our investment strategy and entrust us with their capital. Our investors recognize and appreciate our long-standing commitment to ESG principles and diversity across our management teams and boards, alongside our operational expertise. This approach allows us to deliver strong investor returns while simultaneously building substantial value for our portfolio companies and partners.”
Steven Flyer, Partner at AUA Equity Partners, added, “The successful completion of this fundraising round is a direct reflection of our investment team’s dedication to identifying and executing high-caliber investments and driving value creation for all stakeholders. We are thankful for the unwavering support of our limited partners and are eager to deploy capital following our focused investment strategy. We remain committed to operational improvements as the key driver for achieving robust financial outcomes.”
Founded in 2011 by Managing Partner Andy Unanue, Partners Steven Flyer, and David Benyaminy, along with Managing Director Kyce Chihi, AUA Equity Partners was established with a clear demographic investment thesis. The firm strategically invests in Hispanic-oriented and multi-cultural businesses, as well as family-owned companies seeking transitions or liquidity events. Fund II has already made four significant platform investments, demonstrating its proactive approach. These include:
- TruFood: A leading co-manufacturer specializing in protein bars, breakfast bars, moulded chocolate, and granola for prominent CPG companies in the United States.
- Gourmet Culinary Partners: A national manufacturer of specialty prepared foods, offering a diverse range of products from appetizers to entrees, serving retail, restaurants, hospitality, and educational institutions.
- Westminster Pet Products: A major distributor of pet accessories, treats, chews, and toys, with a strong foothold in supermarkets and retail segments.
- bistroMD: A direct-to-consumer, subscription-based meal delivery service offering doctor-designed, chef-prepared gourmet meals tailored for weight loss and long-term weight management.
David Benyaminy, Partner at AUA Equity Partners, further commented, “AUA Equity Partners has cultivated a strong reputation as a trusted partner for family-owned companies and Hispanic-focused businesses, helping them evolve into industry-leading consumer enterprises. As we strategically deploy Fund II, we will continue our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and family businesses, assisting management teams and owners in realizing their vision of building exceptional companies.”
Latham & Watkins LLP, with Barton Clark and Daniel Cote leading the legal counsel, advised on the formation of Fund II.
About AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC
AUA Private Equity Partners is an operationally-driven, lower middle-market investment firm that provides strategic capital to companies within the consumer products and consumer services sectors. The firm has a distinctive focus on family-owned businesses and companies poised to benefit from the substantial growth of the U.S. Hispanic population. AUA Equity Partners typically makes equity investments between $20 million and $75 million in companies generating EBITDA in excess of $5 million. For more information about AUA Equity Partners, please visit www.auaequity.com.
CONTACT
AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC
John Moore
[email protected]
212.231.8650
Disclosure: This document is for informational purposes only and should not be considered an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities or investment advisory services. Any offer will be made exclusively through a Private Placement Memorandum and Subscription Agreement (“Offering Documents”) to qualified investors. This document, in its entirety or in part, should not form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any investment in any fund. Statements summarizing the Offering Documents are qualified in their entirety by the terms of those documents. A copy of the Offering Documents must be reviewed and accepted before making any investment decision. Investing in any fund carries the risk of potential loss. Interests in AUA’s private funds are not offered or sold in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful until the legal requirements of that jurisdiction are met.
SOURCE AUA Private Equity Partners
