Bertram Capital

Managing Partner Jeff Drazan leads the investment committee. Drazan founded the firm in 2006 and oversees the partnership group responsible for deal sourcing, execution, and portfolio management. The firm operates a centralized decision-making structure common to middle-market private equity sponsors.

Bertram relies on a combination of thematic research, intermediary relationships, and direct outreach to founder-owned businesses. Its operating partner network and internal technology bench identify companies where the firm's proprietary software stack can accelerate value creation, differentiating it from purely financial sponsors in competitive processes.

The Bertram High-5 refers to five internal technology and data capabilities applied to every portfolio company: digital marketing, e-commerce optimization, supply chain analytics, business intelligence dashboards, and sales force automation. A dedicated internal team of engineers and data scientists implements these tools post-close.

Bertram manages multiple institutional funds. The most recent, Bertram Growth Capital IV, closed at $1.4 billion in September 2023 (per the firm, September 2023). The firm previously raised three predecessor funds, each increasing in scale. It also manages separate co-investment vehicles for limited partners on a deal-by-deal basis.

Bertram targets equity investments in lower middle-market companies, typically with enterprise values between $50 million and $250 million. The firm focuses on control buyouts and growth equity stakes, often reserving additional capital for follow-on acquisitions to build larger platforms.

Bertram historically avoids sectors where its operating playbook adds less value — commodity manufacturing, natural resource extraction, and regulated financial services. The firm concentrates on areas where technology integration creates measurable operating leverage, particularly enterprise software, digital health, and tech-enabled business services.

Unlike a traditional buyout shop that relies on external consultants, Bertram employs full-time software engineers, data scientists, and digital marketing specialists as part of its core team. This group is not a separate advisory arm — it is embedded in the firm's investment process and sits alongside deal professionals, a structure the firm calls a competitive differentiator.