# Periscope Equity

Periscope Equity is a Private Equity based in Chicago, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Private Equity
- **Headquarters:** Chicago, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 1 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4050, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
- **Founded:** 2012
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** periscopeequity.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/periscope-equity-llc

## Regulatory record

- **CRD number:** 290326
- **SEC file number:** 801-121890
- **Registration status:** Registered
- **Latest Form ADV filing:** 2026-05-18
- **Reports private funds:** Yes

## About

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.

## Sectors

- Enterprise Software
- Healthcare Services
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Health
- Media & Entertainment
- InsurTech

## People

- 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

## 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.

## Related profiles

- [Periphas Capital](https://altss.com/profile/periphas-capital)
- [Peritas](https://altss.com/profile/peritas)

---

Updated: 2026-10-23T13:38:53Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/periscope-equity

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology