A Partnership Built on Collaboration
Flexible equity capital designed exclusively for independent sponsors
Align Collaborate is an equity investor dedicated to supporting independent sponsors. We are a growth-oriented partner that leverages our experience and resources with the goal of giving the most important deal in your career the best chance for success.
We believe independent sponsors deserve better. Many equity capital providers to independent sponsors do it as a secondary focus with a one-size-fits-all approach.
We established Align Collaborate with an aim to be different — backing independent sponsors with equity capital is our only focus. We were formed out of a partnership between a very active lower-middle market private equity firm and experienced independent sponsor investors. Our goal is to be a truly collaborative partner with strong strategic and financial alignment alongside our independent sponsor partners. We believe this is a powerful combination that will allow our independent sponsors partners, portfolio management partners and other stakeholders to succeed together.
Our Mission:
To be the best private equity partner by aligning with ambitious independent sponsors to drive outsized results, creating a positive impact for all stakeholders.
Why Align Collaborate?
We believe independent sponsors have many options for equity, but not enough great choices. We have walked in your shoes, so we know how to be supportive partners to help accelerate your success.
Certainty
Our team has over 20 years of combined independent sponsor experience helping answer the inevitable seller question of “Where does your money come from?” We bring capital exclusively focused on supporting some of the leading independent sponsors. We are dedicated to being transparent and moving quickly.
Flexibility
We have a flexible investment mandate, as we can make a smaller investment to round out your capital structure, or we can be your sole investor.
Resources
As part of the Align Capital Partners (“ACP”) family, we provide access to growth resources that can help enhance a deal’s economics. You can, but aren’t obligated to, leverage our toolkit of talent, technology and sales resources, depending on your needs.
Shared Financial Incentives
Our capital isn’t attached to overpriced debt. We have the same incentive you do — to find the highest quality and most cost-effective debt partners for your transaction. We strive to align ourselves to generate our results the same way you generate yours — by aiming to make successful growth-oriented equity investments.
Partnership
As fellow entrepreneurs at heart, our leadership team has started businesses and raised capital. We understand each new investment opportunity starts with you, and you need to have the right partners throughout your journey. We want to make sure you receive the credit and attribution that you deserve, so that we can be a partner to help over the long-term, regardless of whether you prefer to invest deal-by-deal, or eventually raise a committed fund.
Our Values
We Appreciate
Our Partners
We Do What
We Say
We Work as
a Team
We Strive to get
Better Every Day
Investment Focus
Investment Criteria
We provide flexible equity to independent sponsors. We invest in most industries with corporate headquarters located in the United States.
- EBITDA: $2–15 million
- Enterprise Value: $15–150 million
- Equity Investment: $5–30 million
- % of Equity Need: 25–100%
Targeted Core Attributes
- Recurring Demand Products or Services
- Niche Leadership and Sustainable Differentiation
- Asset Light Businesses with Strong Free Cash Flow Generation
- Strong Growth Potential Organically and/or Via Acquisitions
Preferred Sectors
- Business Services
- Industrial Services
- Software
- Tech-Enabled Services
- Specialty Manufacturing
- Value-Added Distribution
Plus, other sectors where an independent sponsor brings a unique angle or expertise
Align Collaborate Investment Team
As a team with over 20 years of combined independent sponsor experience, we are here to be a trusted partner for you. Align Collaborate is purpose built for independent sponsors by independent sponsors, and in partnership with the team at Align Capital Partners. Our goal is to truly be a trusted and collaborative partner that has strong strategic and financial alignment to help our independent sponsor partners create wealth for all stakeholders.
Grant Kornman
Partner
Grant is a Partner at Align Collaborate and a member of its Investment Committee. Prior to Align Collaborate, Grant co-founded NCK Capital (“NCK”), a boutique independent sponsor that acquired controlling interests in lower-middle market companies, with his business partner, Michael Kornman. NCK was a pioneer in the independent sponsor community, winning numerous awards, and built a successful portfolio of companies in many different industries including environmental services, post-secondary education, wholesale distribution, and building services.
Prior to NCK, Grant was the Florida Development Partner for The Lane Company, one of the largest multifamily management and development companies in the Southeast, which acquired and developed between $1B and $2B of assets per year. Grant began his career as an Associate at Sterling Partners, a private equity firm with over $4B AUM. Grant has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance from Georgetown University and is a Board Member of the Lone Star Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).
Michael Kornman
Partner
Michael is a Partner at Align Collaborate and a member of its Investment Committee. Prior to Align Collaborate, Michael co-founded NCK Capital (“NCK”), a boutique independent sponsor that acquired controlling interests in lower-middle market companies, with his business partner, Grant Kornman. NCK was a pioneer in the independent sponsor community, winning numerous awards, and built a successful portfolio of companies in many different industries including environmental services, post-secondary education, wholesale distribution, and building services.
Over the course of Michael’s entrepreneurial and investment career, he has founded, built and ran companies such as Quickfire Restaurants and ASAP Air Services. Michael’s vision and leadership have guided these companies through many strategic milestones, including securing outside equity and debt financing, obtaining mission-critical regulatory approvals and company recapitalizations and sales.
Kurt Smentek
Vice President
Kurt is a Vice President at Align Collaborate. Prior to joining Align Collaborate, he spent 7 years on the investment team at Align Capital Partners (“ACP”), where he was responsible for sourcing, executing, and monitoring the firm’s investments. During Kurt’s tenure at ACP, he served on three company boards and received direct operating experience by serving as the Vice President of Finance at Action Elevator from March 2021 — December 2021.
Prior to joining ACP, Kurt was an investment banking professional at Wells Fargo Securities where he focused on mergers and acquisitions for healthcare services companies and at KPMG where he provided advisory services to lower-middle market technology companies.
Kurt received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from The University of Iowa.
Scott Weiss
Senior Associate
Scott is a Senior Associate at Align Collaborate. He was previously an Associate at NCK Capital, where his responsibilities included identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, performing transaction due diligence, and working with management teams to implement operational and growth strategies. Prior to joining NCK, he was a Consultant at CFGI and a Senior Associate in the Financial Markets Group at PwC, focusing on financial transformation and valuation projects for various clients.
Scott received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Wake Forest University and his Master of Science in Accounting from Wake Forest University.
Cian Kelly
Associate
Cian is an Associate at Align Collaborate. He was previously an Investment Banking Associate at KeyBanc Capital Markets where he focused on merger and acquisition advisory across a broad range of industries. Prior to joining KeyBanc Capital Markets, he was an Analyst on the Corporate Strategy & Development team and a Rotational Finance Analyst at KeyBank.
Cian received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Washington & Jefferson College.
Align’s Core Collaborators
Rob Langley
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Chris Jones
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Dave Tiley
Senior Operating Partner
Dan Meyer
Talent Partner
Katie Noggle
Business Development Partner
Maseel Mir
Chief Financial Officer and CCO
Get in Touch
Interested in partnering with us or just knowing more? Please reach out so that we can explore how we can help you reach your goals.