M&A Deal Summary

Growth Catalyst Partners and Monroe Capital Acquire Equine Network

On January 8, 2021, private equity firm Growth Catalyst Partners and lender Monroe Capital acquired digital media company Equine Network from Active Interest Media

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Growth Catalyst Partners’ 1st and Monroe Capital’s 2nd transaction in the Digital Media sector.
  • This is Growth Catalyst Partners’ 8th and Monroe Capital’s 85th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Growth Catalyst Partners’ 1st and Monroe Capital’s 1st transaction in New Mexico.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2021-01-08
Target Equine Network
Sector Digital Media
Buyer(s) Growth Catalyst Partners
Monroe Capital
Sellers(s) Active Interest Media
Deal Type Divestiture

Target

Equine Network

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Equine Network is a premier horse enthusiast group, with events, memberships, marketing, and media that span the globe. The company owns and operates three of the world’s largest, most prestigious Western horse sport competitions: the U.S. Team Roping Championships, National Team Roping, and the World Series of Team Roping. Through its membership services, Equine Network provides roadside assistance to more than 40,000 horse trailer owners and members, as well as online learning opportunities to thousands of subscribers. It also offers a valuable channel for marketing solutions through eight well-known equine industry information platforms that reach more than 3 million individuals and 600-plus leading companies. Equine Network is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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Buyer(S) 2

Buyer

Growth Catalyst Partners

Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 2015
Size Small
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Growth Catalyst Partners is a private equity firm focused on growth capital investments in lower middle-market service companies. The Firm was formed in 2015 and is based in Chicago. Growth Catalyst Partners is formerly known as Fan Creek Capital.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 8 of 14
Sector (Digital Media) 1 of 2
Type (Divestiture) 1 of 1
State (New Mexico) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 8 of 12
Year (2021) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-04-15 The Stable

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

The Stable is a fully integrated consumer brand agency helping businesses activate across all channels of commerce. The Stable was formed in 2015 and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2022-05-18 Sigma7

Warrenton, United States

Sigma7 provides holistic risk management capabilities, connecting organizational risk profiles to the business strategy and tactical operations. Sigma7 help companies transform their risk practices and remain focused on delivering their essential mission. Sigma7 was founded in 2022 and is based in Warrenton, United Kingdom.

Buy -
Buyer

Monroe Capital

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Lender
Founded 2004
PE ASSETS 14.1B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Monroe Capital is a provider of senior and junior debt and equity co-investments to middle-market companies in the US and Canada. Investment types include unitranche financings, cash flow and enterprise value based loans, asset based loans, acquisition facilities, mezzanine debt, second lien or last-out loans and equity co-investments. Monroe Capital is a generalist investor and will consider companies in the healthcare, technology, media, retail, consumer sectors. Monroe Capital was formed in 2004 and is based in Chicago.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 85 of 115
Sector (Digital Media) 2 of 2
Type (Divestiture) 6 of 8
State (New Mexico) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 85 of 114
Year (2021) 1 of 4
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-12-10 Premier Roofing

Denver, Colorado, United States

Premier Roofing is a roofing service providers and vendor managed networks in U.S. Premier Roofing re-roofs properties primarily damaged by hail or wind. Premier serves as the homeowner's end-to-end service guide throughout the insurance and construction process, and the Company is focused on serving geographies with strong and recurring storm activity. Premier Roofing was founded in 2005 and is based in Denver, Colorado.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-03-17 Securly

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Securly is a student safety company with web filtering, cyberbullying monitoring, and self-harm alerts, Securly provides districts the eyes and the ears they need to maintain safety at all times, across different schools, and different devices. Securly was founded in 2013 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Buy -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

Active Interest Media

Boulder, Colorado, United States
Category Company
Founded 2003
Sector Publishing
DESCRIPTION

Active Interest Media is a publisher of enthusiast magazines, events, and websites. AIM publishes several category magazines including American Cowboy, Backpacker, Better Nutrition, Black Belt, Building Systems, The Collectors Guide, Log Home Design Ideas, Log Home Living, Old-House Journal Publications, Optimum Wellness, Southwest Art, Timber Home Living, Vegetarian Times, Wild Oats, Yachts International, Yellowstone Journal and Yoga Journal. Active Interest Media was founded in 2003 and is based in Boulder, Colorado.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 4 of 4
Sector (Digital Media) 1 of 1
Type (Divestiture) 4 of 4
State (New Mexico) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 4 of 4
Year (2021) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-06-30 Active Interest Media - Healthy Living Fitness and Outdoor Divisions

El Segund, California, United States

Active Interest Media, Inc.'s Healthy Living, Fitness, and Outdoor Divisions include Yoga Journal, SKI, Climbing, BACKPACKER, Warren Miller Entertainment, Oxygen, IDEA Health, and Fitness Association, Clean Eating, Vegetarian Times, Better Nutrition, NatuRx, Muscle & Performance, Nastar, Fly Fishing Film Tour, National Park Trips, and SNEWS.

Sell -
Mergr

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