Granite Creek pursues control and minority interests in smaller enterprises in the United States and works as a partner to expand a portfolio company’s base business, optimize operations and leverage its network to fill leadership roles and tap strategic advisors. Granite Creek searches for businesses with defensible market niches, recognized brands, strong intellectual property and/or manufacturing process assets led by entrepreneurial management teams. Often Granite Creek’s equity investments are made in concert with a debt investment, but Granite Creek will consider equity-only investments in certain scenarios, particularly in industries where the firm has had prior experience and success.

Granite Creek makes structured investments in the subordinated debt of US-based small and mid-sized enterprises. Granite Creek invests in high-performing businesses to support rock star entrepreneurs, the next phase of growth or a transitional event that is driving the need for additional liquidity. Rather than taking the full dilution of an equity issuance, a Mezzanine capital investment from GC can provide the needed funding to effect the next phase of a company’s growth while preserving economic upside for entrepreneurs and business owners. Whether a Mezzanine investor, a majority equity owner or any structure in between, Granite Creek is a partner to businesses while bringing its support infrastructure to build businesses and optimize operations. Frequently, Granite Creek is the first institutional investor in a company and helps position the company to further access capital markets when needed.

Granite Creek is licensed by the Small Business Administration of the United States of America (“SBA”) as a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”).

As an SBIC, GC must adhere to certain investment restrictions:

• Companies must be based within the United States
• GC can only acquire original issue debt and equity
• Small Businesses: Net worth less than $18 million or average after-tax income less than $6 million over the last two years or NAICS industry code test
• Investments in project financing, real estate, gaming and businesses that re-lend money are prohibited

In 2011, Granite Creek co-founded Renovo Financial, Chicago's leading specialty real estate rehab and construction lender. For more information, please visit www.renovofinancial.com