MiddleGround Capital

We LOVE seeing our team pursue their passions — especially when it involves horses in our hometown, Lexington, Kentucky, the Horse Capital of the World! ?? Here’s what Melissa Gee, our Human Capital Associate and resident equestrian, had to say: 1?? What inspired you to pursue horse riding? I’ve loved horses since my dad surprised me with riding lessons as a little girl, but I fell out of practice as life got busy. But horses are everywhere in Lexington, and my love for them never faded. I had my first lesson in over a decade in 2024 and haven’t looked back! 2?? Tell us about your partner in crime! Cornbread (aka Corny or Corn Dog) has incredible potential as an Eventing horse, and I'm lucky to be the one helping him reach it! He teaches me something new every day, and we hope to compete at the Kentucky Horse Park, one of the most famous equestrian competition spaces in America. 3?? How has MGC supported you in pursuing this passion? MiddleGrounders have come to my competitions to cheer me on and snap photos (an equestrian's dream)! They also respect my Thursday morning barn time; I ride at 7:30 AM before work. It’s incredible to feel that kind of support from my team. 4?? What do you think is the value of pursuing passions outside work? We're all dedicated to our careers, but making time for what you love drives you to be a better version of yourself and can make you even better at what you do! #Kentucky #bluegrass

If once is a coincidence and twice is a pattern, what do you call SIX times in a row? Because that's the number of consecutive years we’ve been named a 2025 Best Place to Work in Kentucky! Building a #culture where people feel empowered to do their best work while offering high-value roles in our Founder's home state of Kentucky has always been a top priority. Our team makes MiddleGround different, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where our people can thrive. A huge thanks to all of our employees for making this possible and to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for the continued recognition! Check out our open roles here: https://bit.ly/3XpSVMP #privateequity #careers

Private equity isn’t exactly known for its gender diversity, but that’s not stopping women from breaking barriers and making their mark. This #InternationalWomensDay, we’re celebrating the women at MiddleGround and beyond who are proving that leadership, innovation, and impact have nothing to do with gender. The industry still has work to do, but we’re committed to pushing it forward with no plans of slowing down. Happy (early) International Women’s Day!

#Innovation isn’t just about a great idea—it’s about great execution. From concept to market, #innovation is a six-gate process. Get it wrong, and you risk failure... Get it right, and you create real value. Listen to our latest #podcast episode to learn how: https://bit.ly/41EmFYS

Unlike accounting, engineering, medicine, or other jobs... nobody hands you a playbook for #businessdevelopment in #privateequity. Many junior professionals figure it out as they go. The good news? In our latest blog, Graham Sparks, an Associate who joined our BD Team in 2022, shares tips for succeeding in this dynamic role. From navigating CRM data entry (yes, it matters) to building real relationships beyond the boardroom, he breaks down the soft skills, hard skills, and little things that add up over time. If you’re early in your BD career (or just curious about how the job really works), check it out here: https://bit.ly/43jbnKD

What happens when you refuse to follow the traditional PE playbook? You win FOUR straight #innovation awards. For the fourth year running, MiddleGround has been named a 2025 Top #PrivateEquity Innovator by BluWave, LP! This recognition is awarded to less than 2% of North American PE firms that lead the way in due diligence, value creation, firm #operations, and corporate citizenship—the exact things we focus on every single day. A huge thank you to Sean Mooney and the BluWave team for this distinction! ?? ?? Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4kcue05

March is Women’s History Month so what better way to celebrate than with 1,200+ women in #privateequity under one roof? From March 2-5, we’re heading to Phoenix for With Intelligence's Women’s Private Equity Summit! For 4 days, we'll support the next generation of #womeninfinance through mentorship and honest discussion about what it takes to make your mark in a male-dominated industry. Plus, our Partner, Christen Paras, is taking the stage for a panel on reshoring, tariffs, and the future of American industrial investment. With the current administration shaking up the market, this discussion is more relevant than ever. If you’re heading to #WPES25, let’s connect! Reach out to our team to schedule time: Jordan Gabbert, Vice President, Investor Relations: [email protected] Alicia Lokovich , Senior Associate, Investor Relations: [email protected]

When someone does a great job, you don’t just promote them, you invest in them. That’s why we sent our Vice President of Marketing, Tess Horany, to the Center for Creative Leadership for a week of structured leadership training. After rising through our ranks quickly, she jumped from individual contributor to leading a team in two years. #Management is a skill in itself, and CCL helps bridge that gap. The program goes beyond the curriculum by creating a space for real conversations with leaders across industries who’ve seen it all. As Tess put it, “The most valuable part wasn’t learning #leadership frameworks, it was hearing firsthand from seasoned managers who’ve faced challenges I haven’t come up against in my career. Getting to absorb years of experience in just a few days felt like a cheat code.”

A former Olympian and cheerleader walk into a University of Kentucky career fair… Sorry, there's no punchline; just two former Wildcats and MiddleGrounders showing up for students at the 2025 UK Athletics Career Combine! Student-athletes face the unique challenge of building #careers while balancing intense practice schedules. That's why we LOVE events like the Career Combine that give ~200 #students the chance to explore their career paths. A huge shoutout to UK’s Student-Athlete Development department for creating this amazing opportunity. There's nothing better than connecting with fellow Wildcats and showing them how their athletic drive can translate into an exciting career in #privateequity! Jose Acevedo Tanner Thompson, CPA

Investment Team Senior Associate Erica Richardson took the stage at ACG Atlanta's M&A South Conference to talk M&A in 2025 — it’s looking like a game of patience, creativity, and sharp execution ?? The credit market is shifting in favor of borrowers, and lenders are competing to back strong deals. We capitalized on this dynamic with strategic refinancings and repricing across our NA portfolio. ?? Great assets are hard to come by, so a sharp sourcing strategy is essential - consider corporate divestitures, take-private opportunities (like Starrett), and get in early on processes. ?? Data is the real MVP. With lingering post-COVID inventory dynamics, we’re doubling down on data health reports and early-stage analytics to ensure we make informed investment and exit decisions. The bottom line? Fundamentals are solid, and while quality assets may be scarce, smart investors will find the right opportunities. #privateequity #middlemarket #manufacturing