SSW Partners

The firm is managed by its three co-founding partners: Eric Schwartz, Joshua Steiner, and Antonio Weiss. All three held senior positions at Lazard before forming the firm. They work alongside two managing directors, Austin Gengos and Jake Liebschutz, in a flat organizational structure where decisions are made collectively.

SSW Partners operates with a permanent capital base, not a traditional closed-end private equity fund. The firm has not disclosed the source of its capital, but the structure means it does not solicit limited partners, charge management fees on committed capital, or adhere to a fixed investment period.

SSW Partners pursues control buyouts of entire businesses. Its model is built around acquiring high-quality companies and working alongside management to create enduring value. The firm does not describe itself as participating in minority investments, growth equity rounds, or venture funding.

The firm does not impose a standard holding period. Because it is funded by permanent capital, SSW can own a business indefinitely. This contrasts with most private equity firms, which typically target a three- to seven-year holding period before exiting via sale or public offering.

SSW Partners has no formal corporate affiliation with Lazard. However, all three founding partners are former senior Lazard bankers. Their professional network and advisory deal-making experience naturally inform the firm's approach to sourcing and structuring acquisitions, but Lazard is not an investor, parent, or joint-venture partner.