Aterian Investment Partners

Aterian Investment Partners is a private equity firm headquartered in New York and Miami, founded in 2009 by Brandon Bethea, Michael Fieldstone, and Christopher H. Thomas. The firm specializes in investing in industry-leading middle market businesses, with a focus on control equity investments and collaborative management partnerships. Since its founding, Aterian has raised cumulative equity commitments of more than $2.0 billion, with its latest fund size reaching $834 million, initiated in April 2022. The firm targets companies with revenues ranging from $50 million to $750 million and EBITDA between $10 million and $60 million, deploying equity investments of $30 million to $150 million per transaction, with enterprise values of up to $500 million. Larger transactions can be pursued through an active LP co-investment program. Aterian differentiates itself through its speed and certainty of execution, able to close transactions within 30 days from a Letter of Intent, with no financing contingencies and an Investment Committee-led diligence process. The firm takes a holistic approach to supporting its portfolio companies, working alongside management teams to drive improvements across strategic positioning, people and processes, equipment, technology, and product innovation. This partnership-oriented model is central to the firm's identity, emphasizing trust, candid communication, and a collaborative culture where investors and management teams work together toward shared goals. Aterian does not impose size requirements on portfolio add-on acquisitions, providing flexibility for bolt-on growth strategies. The firm's approach is grounded in long-term relationship building, treating management teams, investors, employees, customers, and suppliers as valued stakeholders. With over 20 years of combined professional and personal history among its founders, Aterian brings deep operational and investment expertise to middle market transactions across a range of industries.