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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
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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