Lower middle market private equity firm
CQL Capital
- HeadquartersManhattan Beach, CA S2
- Websitecqlcapital.com
- Last verifiedOctober 29, 2026
At a glance
| Deal types | Platform S3 |
|---|---|
| Sectors | Industrial & Manufacturing, Construction Services, Distribution |
What CQL Capital buys
CQL Capital, pronounced "Sequel," is a small private equity firm in Manhattan Beach, California, led by co-founders Darrick Geant and Dana Rosenberg. It makes direct equity investments in family-owned and founder-owned companies that are bringing in a financial partner for the first time. Its strategy page names six target areas: business services, professional services, infrastructure services, diversified industrials, specialty manufacturing and value-added distribution. It will do leveraged buyouts, majority recapitalizations, ownership transitions and corporate carve-outs, and it can also invest through preferred or common equity.
CQL does not publish a revenue, EBITDA or check size range. Its site lists three companies: Erie Strayer, a Pennsylvania maker of concrete batch plants that CQL backed in February 2026 alongside Star Mountain Capital and several junior capital providers, and two Canadian civil infrastructure contractors, Matcon Group and Knappett Industries. It looks for niche leaders with loyal customers, healthy margins, strong cash flow and room to grow through acquisitions.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before October 29, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | Erie StrayerFourth-generation family-owned concrete batch plant maker in Erie, Pennsylvania; Star Mountain Capital led the co-investors and the CEO stays on | Platform | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S4.
Construction Services
- Matcon Group
- Knappett Industries
Industrial & Manufacturing
- Erie Strayer
Greymont’s take
How CQL Capital fits a seller
CQL fits a family or founder selling to a financial buyer for the first time who wants the leadership team and culture left in place. In the Erie Strayer deal, the fourth-generation CEO kept running daily operations and the management team stayed the same, while CQL brought in co-investors to fund growth in parts and service. The firm says it shapes each deal around the owner's goals, so a partial sale or a preferred equity structure may be on the table.
CQL is small, with three companies listed, and it says it puts its full attention on each platform instead of chasing deal volume. Because it leans on co-investors and does not say whether it invests from a committed fund, an owner should ask where the equity comes from, how certain the financing is, and how long CQL expects to own the business.
Questions owners ask
Does CQL Capital invest in companies that have never had a private equity owner?
Yes. That is its stated focus: direct equity investments in family-owned and founder-owned businesses taking on a financial sponsor for the first time, such as Erie Strayer, which had been family-owned since 1912.
Does the owner stay involved after CQL invests?
In the February 2026 Erie Strayer deal, CEO Kyle Strayer kept leading day-to-day operations and the management team was unchanged, according to CQL's announcement of the investment.
What size companies does CQL look for?
CQL does not publish a revenue or EBITDA range. It calls itself a lower middle market firm and looks for niche market leaders with recurring customers, barriers to entry, strong margins and good cash flow.
Sources
- S1CQL Capital home page Accessed October 29, 2026
- S2CQL Capital: About Us Accessed October 29, 2026
- S3CQL Capital: Strategy and investment criteria Accessed October 29, 2026
- S4CQL Capital: Investments Accessed October 29, 2026
- S5CQL Capital: Our Team Accessed October 29, 2026
- S6CQL Capital Leads Strategic Investment in Erie Strayer (February 2026) Accessed October 29, 2026
- S7Tecum Capital Partners Announces Investment in Erie Strayer Company (February 11, 2026) Accessed October 29, 2026
- S8CQL Capital: Press Releases Accessed October 29, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with CQL Capital. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction