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Goldner Hawn
Goldner Hawn is a private equity investment firm founded on the principles of partnership and collaboration. Since 1989, it has helped lower middle market...
Goldner Hawn
Goldner Hawn is a private equity investment firm founded on the principles of partnership and collaboration. Since 1989, it has helped lower middle market businesses build value and unlock their growth potential. It combines a partnership-centered investment strategy with Midwestern values of hard work, fair dealing and efficiency, partnering with management teams to drive and sustain growth.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Year founded
1989
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Minneapolis
Corporate office
Minneapolis, MN, United States
Principals
Van Zandt Hawn
Managing Partner
Altss tracks 2 additional named team members for this firm — including direct investment leads, IR, and operating principals not listed on the public website.
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Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Goldner Hawn?
Investment decisions are led by the managing partners, who include co-founder Michael Hawn and Chad Cornell. The firm operates with a consensus-driven investment committee historically anchored by senior partners in Minneapolis. Day-to-day origination and execution are handled by its lean deal team, which has remained geographically concentrated in the Upper Midwest.
How does Goldner Hawn source proprietary deal flow?
Goldner Hawn sources transactions primarily through long-standing intermediary relationships across the Midwest and Great Lakes, as well as direct outreach to founder- and family-owned businesses. The firm rarely relies on broad auction processes, instead targeting companies with $3 million to $15 million in operating profit where a relationship-driven approach to owners yields proprietary or limited-process opportunities.
Does Goldner Hawn participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Goldner Hawn exclusively makes direct equity investments into operating companies. It does not operate as a fund-of-funds, nor does it allocate capital to third-party managers as part of its core strategy. Limited partners gain exposure directly to a portfolio of North American middle-market businesses.
What investment stages does Goldner Hawn typically target?
The firm targets mature, profitable businesses with EBITDA between $3 million and $15 million. It does not invest in startups, turnarounds, or pre-revenue companies. Transactions fall into control buyouts, management-led recapitalizations, and occasional minority growth-equity positions alongside founders who are not seeking full liquidity.
Which sectors does Goldner Hawn explicitly avoid?
Goldner Hawn does not invest in real estate, financial services, or natural resource exploration. The firm also avoids technology startups, biotechnology, and any business model where recurring operating losses are considered part of a growth phase. Its focus remains on cash-flow-positive manufacturing, business services, and distribution.
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