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Rustic Canyon Partners
Rustic Canyon Partners is an early-stage firm founded in 1999 by Tom Unterman.
Rustic Canyon Partners
Rustic Canyon Partners is an early-stage firm founded in 1999 by Tom Unterman. The firm focuses investments on digital media, eCommerce, consumer online services, SaaS, and energy efficiency. It primarily invests in California but considers opportunities elsewhere.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Year founded
1999
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Los Angeles
Corporate office
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Principals
Tom Unterman
Founding Partner
Nate Redmond
Managing Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Rustic Canyon Partners?
Nate Redmond serves as Managing Partner and holds the primary investment decision-making role. Co-founder Tom Unterman remains a senior figure, though his day-to-day involvement has decreased since the firm stopped actively raising new funds after its second institutional vehicle.
What is Rustic Canyon's connection to the Chandler family and Times Mirror?
Tom Unterman was an executive at Times Mirror Company for a decade, serving as general counsel and later CFO. The firm's early capital was closely associated with the Chandler family fortune, which was estimated at $7 billion after the 2000 sale of Times Mirror to Tribune Company. This gives Rustic Canyon a hybrid origin — part institutional fund manager, part single-family investment office.
What investment stages does Rustic Canyon target?
The firm historically invested across early-growth and late-stage expansion, with initial equity investments between $10 million and $50 million. It has executed both minority and control transactions, often serving as the first institutional capital in a company.
How can a GP co-invest alongside Rustic Canyon?
As of 2024, the firm is not actively deploying new capital. Rustic Canyon's remaining investment activity involves managing legacy portfolio positions. GPs seeking active co-investment partners in Southern California should evaluate successor firms or principals now operating elsewhere.
Has Rustic Canyon exited its major portfolio companies?
The firm has achieved several notable exits. WeddingWire sold to Permira in 2018 for a reported $350 million; Sauce Labs was acquired by TPG in 2021; and Remitly completed its Nasdaq IPO in September 2021. Additional legacy positions may remain under management.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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