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Aurora Capital Partners
Aurora Capital Partners is a Los Angeles-based private equity firm operating with a permanent capital posture led by John M. Wagner since 1990.
Aurora Capital Partners
Aurora Capital Partners was founded in 1990 by John M. Wagner and a team of senior investment professionals from the former investment bank of Wilshire Associates. The firm has no disclosed single-family-office affiliation in public filings, but its concentrated, permanent-capital approach aligns with a family-office structure. Gerald L. Parsky serves as Chairman, a role he has held since the firm's inception. The firm pursues control-oriented buyouts in the lower-middle market, typically acquiring US-based companies with enterprise values between $100 million and $500 million. Asset-class mix includes private equity buyouts, growth equity, and occasional minority investments. Sectors targeted are industrial technology, healthcare services, and business services. Concentrated holdings include a majority stake in Zep, Inc., a supplier of cleaning chemicals, and a prior investment in Pacific Liberty Insurance Company (per SEC filings, 2005). Geographic focus is primarily North America, with limited cross-border exposure. As of 2024, Aurora has raised six institutional funds totaling over $2.5 billion in commitments from endowments, foundations, and family offices. The firm maintains a single office in Los Angeles. In 2023, Aurora closed its sixth fund at $550 million (per SEC filing, 2023). John M. Wagner leads the firm as General Partner. What structurally distinguishes Aurora Capital Partners is its stated preference for permanent capital: unlike typical private equity funds that impose a 10-year life, Aurora's vehicles are structured as evergreen or long-dated pools, allowing it to hold assets through economic cycles without forced exits.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Los Angeles
Corporate office
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Principals
John M. Wagner
General Partner
Gerald L. Parsky
Chairman
William E. Simon Jr.
Former Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Aurora Capital Partners?
Investment decisions are led by John M. Wagner, who has been the firm's sole General Partner since its founding in 1990. The investment committee includes Gerald L. Parsky (Chairman) and a team of partners focused on specific industry verticals.
How does Aurora source proprietary deal flow?
Aurora sources deal flow through a network of 30+ senior advisors who provide introductions to family-owned and founder-led businesses. The firm also relies on deep relationships with its portfolio company CEOs and industry consultants to uncover off-market opportunities.
Is Aurora structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a private equity firm?
Aurora operates as a registered investment adviser and a private equity firm, but its capital base is concentrated among a small number of permanent capital providers — aligning it structurally with a family office. It does not publicly disclose a controlling family or wealth origin.
Does Aurora participate in fund commitments or only direct investments?
Aurora makes only direct investments, typically taking a controlling interest in each portfolio company. According to its SEC filings, it does not serve as a limited partner in external private equity funds.
What investment stages does Aurora typically target?
Aurora targets control buyouts of lower-middle-market companies with enterprise values between $100 million and $500 million. It also does growth equity investments but only on a minority basis when partnering with a control co-investor.
Does Aurora maintain any philanthropic structures?
There is no public record of a formal philanthropic foundation associated with Aurora Capital Partners. Its founders and partners are individually active in charitable giving but the firm itself does not disclose a separate philanthropic vehicle.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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