PE Today: Genstar Invests In Education Safety, Fruition Expands Theme Park Platform Company
Plus, Thompson Street exits a hearing technology company.
Read the top headlines from Thursday, March 3, 2022 below:
Genstar Joins Madison Dearborn With Lightspeed Systems Investment
Private equity firm Genstar Capital announced an investment in learning safety technology company Lightspeed Systems, joining existing private equity investor Madison Dearborn Partners. Lightspeed said in its announcement that it plans to use Genstar’s latest investment to fuel product innovation, with Genstar principal Scott Niehaus pointing to the company’s “feature-rich, modern platform” as a key differentiator that made it an investment target.
Related content: The Case for Investing in Early Childhood Education
Fruition Expands Five Star Parks With Two Acquisitions
Fruition Partners, a private equity firm based in Denver, has expanded its platform company Five Star Parks & Attractions through two recent acquisitions, the companies said in a recent press release. Five Star completed the acquisition of two separate operators of family entertainment centers, Dubby’s Attractions and Celebration Station. The takeovers broaden the geographic footprint of Five Star across the Midwest and southern US, the announcement noted.
“We’re thrilled about the future of family entertainment and can’t wait to build on the solid record of success that these businesses have achieved,” stated Fruition Partners cofounder and managing partner Jay Coughlon in a statement.
Thompson Street Exits Alpaca Audiology
Thompson Street Capital Partners has divested Alpaca Audiology, selling the audiology clinic company to hearing care solutions company Sonova Holding AG, according to a press release. The St. Louis-based private equity firm did not disclose terms of the sale. In a statement, Alpaca founder and president Brian Vesely thanked Thompson Street “for being a great partner from the very beginning” and supporting its growth. In another statement, Thompson Street director Brandon Muirhead noted that since its initial acquisition of Alpaca, the PE firm facilitated 36 acquisitions to grow the audiology company.
