New York, NY – Everside Capital Partners, a leading investment firm focused on the U.S. lower middle market, has announced a strategic investment in CentralBDC, LLC, an innovative outsourced Business Development Company (BDC) based in Boca Raton, Florida. This investment, made in collaboration with Aaron Kleinhandler, SJ Partners, LLC (“SJ”), and Northcreek Mezzanine (“Northcreek”), signals a significant step forward for CentralBDC, which will now operate as CentralBDC, Enterprises, LLC (“CentralBDC Enterprises”).
The financial structure of the deal includes senior subordinated debt and equity provided by Everside and Northcreek, alongside a senior term loan from Enterprise Bank & Trust. Aaron Kleinhandler, SJ Partners, and the founder of CentralBDC have contributed the remaining equity investment, creating a powerful syndicate of financial and industry expertise to propel CentralBDC Enterprises into its next phase of growth.
CentralBDC Enterprises has rapidly emerged as a frontrunner in the automotive industry’s outsourced BDC sector. Leveraging proprietary technology and a highly skilled workforce, the company delivers comprehensive lead management services to auto dealerships across the nation. Their offerings encompass sales support, equity mining, appointment setting, and customer service, acting as a full-service BDC solution for major dealerships and dealership groups. With a management team boasting over 50 years of collective automotive experience, CentralBDC Enterprises is poised to capitalize on the evolving needs of the market. Benjamin Shamsizadeh will continue his leadership role as President, while industry veteran Aaron Kleinhandler steps in as the new CEO, bringing his proven track record of scaling B2B service businesses.
Nate Kirk, Founder of Everside Capital Partners, emphasized the strategic rationale behind the investment. “This investment represents a powerful leadership combination designed to fully institutionalize CentralBDC Enterprises. We believe their value proposition is exceptionally strong in today’s automotive market,” Kirk stated. He further added, “We deeply value the caliber of partners we have in SJ Partners and Northcreek, and are confident that Aaron and Benjamin form a truly winning team.”
Benjamin Shamsizadeh, Founder of CentralBDC, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “I sought a collaborative partner to facilitate our next stage of growth, and I am confident I have found that in Aaron and the teams from SJ, Northcreek, and Everside Capital Partners. I am eager to continue leading the business and see immense value in leveraging their collective experience to guide our growth strategy.” This sentiment highlights the mutual vision for expansion and market leadership that underpins this investment.
Aaron Kleinhandler, who spearheaded the investment, shared his optimistic outlook: “I am thrilled to partner with Benjamin and the talented CentralBDC Enterprises team. The company is ideally positioned to capitalize on a significant market opportunity and strong demand for their services. We believe their technology-driven, highly scalable model sets them apart from smaller competitors and will enable them to capture a substantial share of the expanding market.” Kleinhandler’s experience in scaling businesses, particularly within the B2B service sector, is expected to be instrumental in CentralBDC Enterprises’ future success.
Scott Johnson, founder of SJ Partners, echoed this excitement, noting, “The partnership with Aaron and Benjamin marks an exciting new chapter for CentralBDC Enterprises. This is our second investment with Aaron. In our prior collaboration at Spectrio, Aaron’s leadership drove phenomenal growth from a startup to approximately $40 million in EBITDA through 38 strategic acquisitions. We foresee a similar trajectory for CentralBDC Enterprises, with the potential to serve a significantly larger client base and further expand the organization to meet their evolving needs, while also acting as a platform for acquisitions in this dynamic sector.” This endorsement from SJ Partners underscores the confidence in the leadership and market potential of CentralBDC Enterprises.
About Everside Capital Partners
Everside Capital Partners is a New York-based, independently owned asset management firm registered with the SEC as an Investment Adviser (RIA). Specializing exclusively in the U.S. lower middle market, Everside distinguishes itself through a team of professionals with extensive expertise in credit, direct investing, and origination, cultivated at leading global financial institutions. Everside Capital Partners demonstrates a consistent track record of strategic investments in both debt and equity across lower middle market companies throughout the United States. Their approach often involves partnerships with Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) or direct collaborations with lower middle market businesses. Everside Capital Partners has successfully completed over 80 investments since its inception and currently manages $800 million in commitments across multiple investment funds, solidifying its position as a key player in the lower middle market investment landscape.
About Aaron Kleinhandler
Aaron Kleinhandler is a seasoned entrepreneur with a proven history of success in the tech-enabled B2B services sector. He is the Founder of Audio Messaging Solutions, LLC, and its highly successful successor, Spectrio, LLC, a ten-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. For over 25 years, Aaron Kleinhandler has operated at the forefront of the B2B services industry, building and scaling businesses. Throughout his distinguished career, Aaron has collaborated with prominent institutional investors, including The Riverside Company, Abry Partners, Bertram Capital, and The Jordan Company. His leadership has resulted in platforms that have executed over 45 add-on acquisitions and delivered substantial returns for his investors, underscoring his expertise in driving growth and creating value.
About SJ Partners LLC
SJ Partners is a premier lower middle market private equity firm with over fifteen years of dedicated experience acquiring consumer and services companies. The firm is known for its close collaboration with portfolio company management teams and maintains a network of highly accomplished operating partners. SJ Partners has received widespread industry recognition, including being named ACG NY Champions Firm of the Year, reflecting their consistent success and leadership in the private equity sector. For further information about SJ Partners and their investment approach, please visit www.sjpartners.com.
About Northcreek Mezzanine
Northcreek Mezzanine is a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) currently deploying capital from its Fund III, a $195 million fund established in 2019. Northcreek specializes in providing creatively structured mezzanine debt and equity investments to middle market companies. Northcreek partners with management teams, business owners, and private equity groups to deliver tailored capital solutions for a range of strategic purposes, including business acquisitions or buyouts, growth initiatives such as equipment purchases or product line expansions, and balance sheet deleveraging. As a trusted financial partner to hundreds of businesses, the principals of Northcreek have cultivated a strong reputation for reliability and a commitment to building long-term partnerships. To learn more about Northcreek Mezzanine and their investment strategies, please visit NorthcreekMezzanine.com.
