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Private EquityRIA · CRD 290326SEC-RegisteredPrivate Fund Adviser

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Periscope Equity

Periscope Equity is a Chicago-based private equity firm that partners with founder-owned, business services companies. Since its founding in 2012, Periscope...

Overview

Periscope Equity is a Chicago-based private equity firm that partners with founder-owned, business services companies. Since its founding in 2012, Periscope has a track record of investing in businesses with mission-critical service offerings, a history of sustainable profitability, and known avenues to accelerate growth. In alignment with management teams, Periscope seeks to provide operational and commercial support to drive investment returns.

General information

Firm type

Private Equity

Year founded

2012

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

Chicago

Corporate office

1 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4050, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

Principals

John Tarpley

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Steve Jarmel

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

John Findlay

Partner

Eric Hinkle

Partner

Ami Mehta

Partner

Joe McIlhattan

Principal

Alex Friedman

Principal

Sector focus

Enterprise SoftwareHealthcare ServicesCybersecurityDigital HealthMedia & EntertainmentInsurTech

Frequently asked questions

How does Periscope Equity source investment opportunities?

Periscope targets founder-owned business-services companies through a proprietary network of industry executives, operating partners, and intermediaries across its four verticals. The firm emphasizes relationship-driven origination, often connecting with founders years before a transaction. Its website solicits deal inquiries through Principal Alex Friedman, signaling a direct-sourcing posture rather than a reliance on broad auctions.

What is Periscope's investment strategy and check size?

The firm pursues majority buyouts and growth recapitalizations in U.S. business-services companies with mission-critical offerings and sustainable profitability. Periscope does not publicly disclose a target check size. Its verticals — Commerce Enablement, Cloud/IT/Security, Healthcare IT, and Talent/Risk/Operations — suggest a focus on lower-middle-market platforms where operational intervention can unlock growth.

How is Periscope Equity's operating partner model structured?

Periscope maintains both an in-house Operations team and a network of independent-contractor Operating Partners. These specialists participate in operational due diligence and post-close execution, with compensation generally borne by portfolio companies or the fund rather than offsetting management fees. This hybrid model embeds functional expertise without the fixed cost burden of a fully captive team.

Does Periscope pursue add-on acquisitions for its portfolio companies?

Yes. Multiple portfolio companies actively execute add-on strategies. eHouse seeks Shopify Plus Partners and digital marketing firms; CyberMaxx targets scale MDR and incident response providers serving regulated industries; and Mobile Solutions pursues expense management and telecom spend providers to broaden its market footprint (per the firm).

Which sectors does Periscope Equity explicitly avoid?

The firm's stated vertical focus is narrow: Commerce Enablement, Cloud/IT/Security, Healthcare IT, and Talent/Risk/Operations. It does not list consumer products, manufacturing, energy, or financial services as target sectors. Periscope's portfolio list confirms the absence of companies outside these four categories.

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