Buyer Profile
OUR FOCUS
We focus on buying or investing in existing companies or partnering with management teams to grow lower middle market companies. We target platform investments with $500K - $2MM in EBITDA, but will consider any size company for bolt-on acquisitions.
We work with business owners seeking a meaningful upfront cash payment for their business, an opportunity to rollover and retain a continued ownership position, and potentially remain involved in the management and growth of the business.
Clubmoss Companies prioritizes investments and acquisitions across the following attributes
Financial stability
Cash flow or EBITDA between $500K and $2MM
Cash flow or EBITDA margins of >15%
Recurring contract or subscription revenue that is stable or growing
At least three-years of profitability (not including COVID-19 adjustments)
Business characteristics
Company with a rich history and culture
Strong team of loyal and high-performing employees led by stable and invested management
Owner that is considering retirement or has plans to reduce role in day-to-day operations
Industry compatibility
Unique business models that operate in sectors with sustainable growth potential (preferably above projected US GDP growth). Although we’re always open to exploring different opportunities, our target industries for acquisition and investment include education, infrastructure and industrial services, transportation and logistics, business services, retail, manufacturing, and pet/animal services.
Industry Focus
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Early childhood education / Childcare
Youth Sports and Enrichment Programs
K-12 Supplemental Education (Tutoring and Test Prep)
STEM and Specialized Learning Centers
Vocational and technical training
Learning Management Software / Systems
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Water and Wastewater treatment
Water and Sewer Line Inspection
Utility infrastructure services (including location, surveying, and inspection)
Surveying and Mapping (including Geophysical) Services
Recycling and Recycling Facilities
Solar Power
Dark Fiber Network Operators
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Refrigerated and cold chain storage, packing, and logistics
Pallet and Skid Rental
Dumpster Rental
Supply chain management
Distribution solutions
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Consulting Services: Management consulting, IT consulting, HR consulting.
Building Inspection Services
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Testing Laboratories
Environmental Consulting Services
Financial Services: Accounting, bookkeeping, payroll services.
Administrative Support: Virtual assistants, office management, transcription services.
Information Technology: IT support, software development, cybersecurity services.
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Personal Care Services: Salons, spas, and wellness centers offering beauty, grooming, and wellness services to individuals.
Specialty food stores that cater to individual consumers.
Health and Wellness Retail: Optical stores and supplement retailers.
Entertainment and Recreation: Movie theaters, arcades, and gyms
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3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping Services
3D Printer Manufacturing
Food and Natural Food Color Manufacturing
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Manufacturing
Medical Device Manufacturing
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Pet Transportation
Pet Hospice and Cremation Services
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Please note, at this time, we are NOT pursuing opportunities in the following areas:
Health Services
Construction
Home Services (e.g., HVAC, plumbing)
Fashion and Apparel
Geographic Focus
Ideal Seller
The seller’s motivations, values, and business approach should align with your goals to ensure a smooth transition and a mutually beneficial outcome.
Motivations
Looking to preserve the legacy and culture of the business.
Motivated by succession planning rather than simply maximizing the sale price.
Willing to engage in a transition period (6–12 months) to transfer operational knowledge and ensure continuity.
Business Leadership
Demonstrates pride in building a strong team and fostering a healthy company culture.
Maintains a loyal, high-performing workforce with minimal turnover.
Values the long-term success of the business and its community impact.
Personal Alignment
Open to strategic discussions about the future of the business.
Values collaboration and trusts the buyer’s ability to scale and sustain the business.
Comfortable with a deal structure that balances cash, seller financing, and, as applicable, performance-based payouts.
Ideal Franchisor
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Well-established franchise system with a proven operational model and scalable potential.
Demonstrates consistent performance across locations and sustained growth within its category.
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Comprehensive initial and ongoing training and operational guidance for franchisees.
Centralized marketing and pooled supply chain resources to optimize costs and brand recognition.
Sophisticated technology stack to enable efficient operations.
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Transparent and favorable unit-level EBITDA (SLEBITDA) and ROIC metrics.
Reasonable franchise fees (royalties, marketing funds) justified by value delivered.
Manageable capital requirements for entry, including clear ramp-up and break-even timelines. goes here
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Franchisee base with diverse ownership and room for consolidation.
Systems with a healthy balance of independent and corporate-owned units.
Consideration of franchisor ownership structure (entrepreneur-led vs. private equity).
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Strong presence in desirable geographic markets with potential for localized scale.
Systems of sufficient size to provide growth opportunities but not saturated.
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Strikes a balance between standardization and flexibility in operational decision-making.
Collaborative franchisor-franchisee relationship to allow innovation while adhering to brand guidelines.
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Clear pathway for new franchisees with manageable approval requirements.
Transparent process for acquiring existing locations or developing new ones.
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For franchise businesses, the seller and franchisor relationship is crucial:
The seller should have maintained a positive relationship with the franchisor, providing evidence of the system’s support and viability.
The franchisor should recognize your potential as a buyer and support the transition process, ensuring continuity and success.
My Approach
Role: Act as an on-site / in-person, strategic owner but remain fully willing to take on an operational role early in the acquisition to learn the trade and build a strong foundation.
Long-Term Vision: Build a portfolio of 5–10 businesses focused on scalable growth, community impact, and financial sustainability.
Seller Partnership: Preference for owners motivated by legacy preservation and willing to engage in a short-term transition.
My Financials/Funding
$550K+ in liquid assets
$1-3M commitment from private investor(s)
$350K+ available in additional credit sources (e.g., HELOC, equity margin)
800+ credit score
SBA Preferred Lender pre-approved
Behind Clubmoss
Chris Copeland is a strategist and builder that thrives on solving complex, systemic challenges in industries that create meaningful impact, such as education, infrastructure, and logistics.
With a deep passion for operational excellence and community improvement, Chris combines strategic vision, operational expertise, and a results-driven mindset to identify scalable opportunities in business.
Chris is energized by building businesses into engines of sustainable growth and community impact, particularly in high-projected growth (e.g., greater than US GDP) sectors
Passion
Proven ability to lead large-scale operational improvements, align stakeholders, and optimize processes. Expertise in scaling businesses, identifying growth opportunities, and driving measurable financial and societal outcomes. Strong analytical capabilities balanced with creative problem-solving.
Experience and Skills
Supported by an extensive network of advisors, investors, peers, and mentors in consulting, private equity, and mission-driven organizations, Chris leverages relationships to access opportunities and resources that amplify success
Network
Most recently, Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company for 7+ years with extensive experience in strategy, operations, and organizational change across a range of industries in the private sector (e.g., utilities, logistics, manufacturing), social sector (e.g., education, non-profits), and public-sector (e.g., local, state, federal).
Prior to McKinsey, he has been a shift technical advisor at the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Power Plant, Evaluator with the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, researcher to national security laboratories, and an adjunct faculty to the department of physics at Morehouse College.
Passionate about creating sustainable, high-impact businesses that drive economic mobility and community improvement.