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West Edge Partners
West Edge Partners was founded by Principals Ted Nark and Cole Kirby as an operationally intensive investment firm.
West Edge Partners
West Edge Partners was founded by Principals Ted Nark and Cole Kirby as an operationally intensive investment firm. The Santa Monica-based firm focuses exclusively on the North American lower middle market, targeting companies with over $5 million in revenue and EBITDA below $15 million. Its principals bring institutional investment experience to a market segment they believe rewards flexibility and direct engagement over rigid fund structures. The firm runs a disciplined buy-and-build strategy across business and consumer services, distribution, and light manufacturing. It acquires majority or significant minority equity stakes, then works alongside management teams to accelerate growth through organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions. West Edge signals an approach unconstrained by formal timelines, allowing it to hold businesses longer than conventional private equity funds. The principals' track record — over 200 completed add-on acquisitions across 15 distinct buy-and-build strategies — anchors the firm's deployment thesis. Operations are led by a tight five-person investment team: Ted Nark, Cole Kirby, Stefano Nark, Abby Kaplan, and Kenny Kim. An advisory board — Amy Kothari, Eric Nowlin, Michael Wong, and Terry Adams — supplements deal sourcing and diligence. The firm has not disclosed assets under management or total capital deployed, consistent with a partnership that runs unconstrained by fund-cycle pressures. Its structural distinction rests in governance: West Edge operates without a fixed fund duration or predetermined exit cadence. That architecture allows the firm to pursue acquisitions opportunistically and retain businesses it considers long-term compounders rather than forcing liquidity events. The model places a premium on partner chemistry and management autonomy, preserving day-to-day operational control for the existing leadership teams West Edge backs.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Santa Monica
Corporate office
Santa Monica, CA, United States
Principals
Ted Nark
Principal
Cole Kirby
Principal
Stefano Nark
Principal
Abby Kaplan
Team
Kenny Kim
Team
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at West Edge Partners?
Investment decisions are led by Principals Ted Nark and Cole Kirby, who together guide the firm's lower middle market strategy. A small investment team — including Stefano Nark, Abby Kaplan, and Kenny Kim — supports sourcing, execution, and portfolio operations. The concentrated leadership structure ensures decisions remain tied to the original partnership mandate rather than a broader committee.
How does West Edge Partners source proprietary deal flow?
West Edge leans on the direct relationships of its principals and advisory board, which includes Amy Kothari, Eric Nowlin, Michael Wong, and Terry Adams. The firm pursues entrepreneurs and management teams running companies with over $5 million in revenue, a segment where intermediaries are less dominant. The principals' track record of 200 add-on acquisitions signals deep industry networks in business services, distribution, and light manufacturing.
Does West Edge Partners operate with a traditional private equity fund structure?
The firm states it is unconstrained by formal fund timelines and investment mandates, implying a longer-hold, partnership-based capital structure rather than a conventional blind-pool fund. West Edge has not publicly disclosed a flagship fund size or vintage, and it presents its investment posture as more flexible than standard institutional private equity vehicles.
What investment stages and deal types does West Edge target?
West Edge targets majority or significant minority equity investments in lower middle market businesses with revenue exceeding $5 million and EBITDA below $15 million. The firm applies a buyout and growth equity lens, with the heavy operational engagement typical of a buy-and-build strategy. It does not participate in venture capital or minority passive stakes.
How does West Edge approach add-on acquisitions for its portfolio companies?
The firm's principals have executed more than 200 add-on acquisitions across 15 buy-and-build strategies. West Edge works alongside management teams to identify and integrate complementary businesses that accelerate organic growth. The approach treats add-ons as a core value-creation lever rather than a bolt-on afterthought.
What is West Edge Partners' posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
West Edge has not publicly disclosed a co-investment program alongside outside general partners. Its positioning as a hands-on control investor in the lower middle market suggests a preference for leading or controlling transactions directly, rather than participating passively in syndicated deals.
Which sectors does West Edge Partners explicitly avoid?
The firm's website and prior research confirm a focus on business and consumer services, distribution, and light manufacturing. There is no disclosure of an explicit avoidance list, but the firm's deal criteria — companies over $5 million in revenue with a clear operational improvement angle — effectively excludes pre-revenue startups, heavy industrial sectors, and regulated financial institutions.
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