CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pritzker Group Private Capital announced today that George Couto has joined the group’s growing Services team as vice president. Led by Ryan Roberts, investment partner, and Gregg Kaplan, operating partner, the team invests in and operates companies across the services sector with a particular focus on tech-enabled, supply chain and industrial services.
Couto was formerly with Palladium Equity Partners in New York City, a private equity firm with approximately $2 billion in assets under management focused on business services, food, consumer, financial services, healthcare, industrial and media businesses. He helped execute several multi-hundred million-dollar transactions, and worked closely with management teams to develop corporate strategy. In his new position at Pritzker Group Private Capital, Couto will help source and execute new investments as well as work closely with the management teams of Pritzker Group Private Capital’s Services companies.
“Hiring George to complete our Services team significantly enhances our ability to work with services companies in our target industries,” said Paul Carbone, Pritzker Group Private Capital managing partner. “Using our scale, long term capital and experience with family-owned services companies, we look to provide differentiated solutions to business owners, build great, sustainable companies and deliver superior service to our customers.”
Services team investment partner Ryan Roberts added, “George’s experience investing in and working with family-owned businesses further strengthens our Services team and reinforces our position as partner of choice among family-, entrepreneur- and management-owned services companies.”
Within its focus areas, the Services team is looking to acquire business-to-business services companies that have market leadership positions, recurring revenue business models, strong management teams and opportunities to further consolidate their industries. In addition, Pritzker Group Private Capital is well-positioned through its relationships, resources and experience to help companies take advantage of technology to enhance their service offerings and competitive positions.
Pritzker Group Private Capital’s current roster of service companies include PECO Pallet, a North American leader in pallet rental services and logistics; ENTACT, a leading environmental remediation and geotechnical construction services company; and Entertainment Cruises, the nation’s largest dining cruise company.
Couto holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.
About Pritzker Group
Pritzker Group, founded by Tony and J.B. Pritzker, has three principal investment teams: Private Capital, which acquires and operates leading North America-based companies; Venture Capital, which provides early-stage and growth venture funding to technology companies throughout the United States; and Asset Management, which partners with top-performing investment managers across global public markets.
Pritzker Group Private Capital acquires North America-based middle-market companies with leading positions in the manufactured products, services and health care sectors. The firm’s proprietary capital base allows for efficient decision making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with management teams focused on creating long-term value. Pritzker Group brings significant resources, expertise and credibility in building businesses and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. For more information, visit pritzkergroup.com.