First Trust Capital Partners

First Trust Capital Partners (FTCP) is an investment firm operating as an affiliate of First Trust Portfolios L.P., a prominent financial services company. Based in Wheaton, Illinois, FTCP primarily functions as a private equity firm, focusing on growth equity and buyout opportunities rather than early-stage venture capital. Their investment strategy centers on partnering with management teams to foster business expansion, both through organic growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions.

FTCP targets private companies across a diverse range of sectors, including financial services, healthcare, technology, and business services. Their investment criteria specify a focus on companies with established operations, indicated by their typical target enterprise values. FTCP generally seeks to invest in companies with enterprise values ranging from $50 million to $500 million. This broad range suggests flexibility in deal size, allowing them to engage with mid-market companies seeking significant capital for expansion or ownership transitions.

While specific typical first check sizes are not explicitly stated by FTCP, their investment approach and target enterprise values allow for an estimation. Assuming they seek to acquire meaningful minority or majority stakes, their individual investment checks likely range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. For instance, a 20% stake in a company with a $50 million enterprise value would represent a $10 million investment, while a 50% stake in a $500 million enterprise value company would be $250 million. One notable transaction listed is a $100 million private equity round in TruChoice Financial Group, which aligns with the higher end of this estimated range and their stated focus on larger enterprise values.

This firm is distinct from typical venture capital funds that often engage in seed or Series A funding rounds. Instead, FTCP provides substantial capital for later-stage growth, recapitalizations, or buyouts, aligning with a private equity model. Their affiliation with First Trust Portfolios L.P. provides them with a strong institutional backing and deep financial industry expertise, which they can leverage in their investment activities and portfolio company support.