November 21, 2008 09:15 AM Eastern Time 

Yankee Equity Solution (“YES”) Launches $50 Million Fund for Mass.-Based Medtech Companies

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yankee Equity Solution (YES) has launched the $50 million “YES Medical Technology Fund”, a private equity vehicle to help Mass.-based medical technology companies with revenues and profits to expand their commercialization efforts. Specifically, the YES Medical Technology Fund will provide growth capital to medtech companies that have revenues of at least $10 million, are profitable (minimum $2 million EBITDA), and have the potential to be number-one or two in their target market.

“Also of note about the YES Fund is that, unlike many other private equity firms with rigid charters and institutional constraints that require rapid returns”

The YES Medical Technology Fund’s Managing Director, John A. Williams, has successfully built and sold several publicly and privately held healthcare companies, including a leading medical technology company specializing in the brain-monitoring sector, which was sold to Hospira, Inc. Williams, who was recruited to this turnaround situation, identified an innovative new neuromonitoring platform for the surgical suite, raised $70 million and led a successful IPO while relocating the company from California to Massachusetts.

“The YES Fund is looking to invest in medtech companies that are fundamentally well-managed, but which possess unrealized commercial potential that can be unlocked with the help of financial resources, as well as strategic and operational expertise,” said Williams. “Our aim is to build on a company’s existing strengths by helping management fuel growth by fine-tuning operating processes and executing a driven expansion plan.

“Also of note about the YES Fund is that, unlike many other private equity firms with rigid charters and institutional constraints that require rapid returns,” added Williams, “all of our capital comes from one source, thereby empowering us to be flexible, patient and focused.”

Williams earned a master’s degree in Industrial Psychology, cum laude, from Springfield College; and a bachelor’s degree from Boston University, where he was a starter for the “Pasadena Bowl” Terrier football team in his senior year.

Mass.-based medtech companies with revenues of at least $10 million that are profitable and have the potential to be number-one or two in their market are encouraged to send a business plan in confidence to jawilliams@yankeeequitysolution.com.