Stone-Goff Partners ("SGP") announced that it has made an investment, alongside the founding partners in Spotlight AR, LLC ("Spotlight"), the leading analyst relations ("AR") firm that supports emerging software and enterprise technology companies in scaling their AR programs.
The investment will support the Company’s growth initiatives, including the expansion of the sales and marketing organization, continued development of technology-enabled solutions, and potential acquisitions.
Founded in 2012, Spotlight leads the industry with more than a decade of experience in helping clients scale and accelerate their AR programs to maximize what they earn from the channel: analyst advocates, better evaluation performance, and improved business outcomes. Today, Spotlight serves more than 100 clients from up-and-coming start-ups to Fortune 500 organizations. Additionally, Spotlight provides a proprietary analyst relations platform that allows internal AR teams to capture insights about their programs, provide action-oriented strategies to business leaders, and form and track relationships with analysts in their industry. The company has over 125 employees and is headquartered in Kansas City.
"Spotlight has been on an incredible growth journey over the last decade," said Rick Nash, Chief Executive Officer, Spotlight. "Today we are more optimistic than ever about the possibilities for growth and expansion through our partnership with SGP. SGP’s extensive operational and strategic experience will be invaluable in helping us realize the future vision of the company, and we are excited to have them as part of our team."
"We are thrilled to partner with Andrew Hsu, Rick Nash, and the team at Spotlight to support the Company’s continued commitment to helping clients navigate the complexities of the analyst relations process," said Hannah Stone Craven, co-founder of Stone-Goff Partners. "Spotlight has an impressive culture and a proven history of delivering outstanding results for clients, and we are excited to join them in their next stage of growth."
"We have found a true partner in SGP, a firm that not only has deep expertise to support our business goals but aligns with our cultural values as well," said Andrew Hsu, Chief Strategy Officer, Spotlight. "We are excited to partner with SGP to continue growing, evolving, and elevating the Spotlight brand."
Leonis Partners served as the financial advisor to Spotlight in this transaction. Legal counsel for Spotlight was provided by Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP. Legal counsel for Stone-Goff was provided by Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. Capital Southwest Corporation provided debt financing for the transaction.
About Stone-Goff Partners
Stone-Goff Partners is a private equity firm that invests in lower middle market Technology-Driven Service businesses. The companies we invest in combine service offerings with technology and focus on attractive, defined end markets. Core verticals include business services, human capital and training, marketing services, consulting services, IT services, consumer services, and outsourcing. Stone-Goff invests in founder-owned businesses and corporate carve-outs.
Founded in 2010 by Hannah Stone Craven and Laurens Goff, Stone-Goff leverages the extensive investment, operational, and sector-specific experience of its partners and Talent Network to drive value creation within its portfolio companies.
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