WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA), the leading association for lower middle market private equity funds and investors, today announced that it bolstered its number of general partner and limited partner members in 2014, reflecting the SBIA’s growing stature as the leading voice of private equity in Washington. SBIA increased its total number of members as 30 new firms and fund groups joined, including 10 Limited Partners and four Business Development Companies (BDCs).
The inclusion of new SBIA members comes amid the rapid growth of lower middle market businesses in the U.S. According to the National Center for the Middle Market’s (NCMM), latest quarterly survey, these businesses grew revenues by 8.1% and employment by 3.6% in the last twelve months, with continued optimism for further growth in the coming year. SBIA member firms provide the capital and resources needed for these businesses to continue to grow.
“Continually adding new general partners, BDCs, and institutional investors is a statement about our membership and our mission. SBIA is the association of senior investment professionals focused on the lower middle market whose members represent the entire private capital ecosystem. It is an alliance for professional fellowship, business opportunities, innovation, regulatory expertise and market data. We are a member-driven organization so our focus is on investors,” said Brett Palmer, President of SBIA. “SBIA advocates for a more favorable investment environment and sensible policies with the new Congress and with regulators.”
New members represent a range of multi-strategy and traditional private equity funds, and limited partners that span banking, fund of funds, and family office capital. This augments the association’s strong base of private equity sponsors, alternative lenders, BDCs, SBICs, venture capital firms, and diverse base of institutional investors.
“Only the SBIA is fully committed to being investor-centric, providing opportunities to network with leading institutional investors and capital providers in the lower middle market. Our focus on investors and the impact of our investments on U.S. small businesses has established SBIA as an effective voice with Washington’s leading policy makers,” said Michael Blackburn, SBIA Chair and Managing Partner of Petra Capital Partners.
The SBIA established several partnerships with industry-leading organizations that have a strong focus on the middle market and private capital in 2014, including the National Center for the Middle Market, GF Data®, Axial Networks Inc., and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA). SBIA also launched its semi-annual Lower Middle Market Investment Insights newsletter, featuring data and commentary from SBIA member firms and key industry partners.
About the Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA)
The Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA) is the premier organization of lower middle market private equity funds and investors. SBIA works on behalf of its members as a tireless advocate for policies that promote competitive markets and robust domestic investment for growing small businesses. SBIA has been playing a pivotal role in promoting the growth and vitality of the private equity industry for more than 50 years. For more information, visit www.SBIA.org or call 202-628-5055.