Publicly traded buyout fund (business development company) providing debt and equity to lower middle market companies
Gladstone Investment
- HeadquartersMcLean, VA S1
- Founded2005 S2
- Websitegladstoneinvestment.com
- Last verifiedOctober 20, 2026
At a glance
| Assets under management | $1.3B (as of Jun 2026) S6 |
|---|---|
| EBITDA range | $5M to $25M S3 |
| Check size | Up to $75M S3 |
| Deal types | Platform, Add-on S5 |
| Geography | Continental United States S3 |
| Sectors | Industrial & Manufacturing, Consumer & Food, HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical, Landscaping, IT Services & MSP, Transportation & Logistics, Distribution, Construction Services |
What Gladstone Investment buys
Gladstone Investment is the buyout fund in the Gladstone family of public funds, based in McLean, Virginia. It is a business development company listed on Nasdaq, started in 2005, that buys mature lower middle market companies in the continental United States with $5 million to $25 million of EBITDA, steady cash flow and an experienced management team. It typically puts up to $75 million into a deal and usually supplies most or all of both the debt and the equity itself, so the seller does not wait on outside lenders.
It buys alongside management teams and independent sponsors such as Xyresic Capital and Everglades Equity, then funds add-ons for its companies. Its holdings fall into three groups: manufacturing, consumer products, and business and consumer services. Recent buyouts range from a Jacksonville commercial landscaper and an IT services provider for schools and local government to perimeter security, oilfield services and precision finishing. As a public fund it has no deadline to sell. Gladstone's lending and real estate funds are not covered here.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before October 20, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | Extrude HoneClosed the buyout of an Irwin, Pennsylvania provider of precision surface-finishing systems, investing alongside management; the agreement was announced in June and needed regulatory approval | Platform | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
| Sep 2026 | Athenix Solutions GroupMerged into Detroit Defense with added debt and equity from Gladstone; Athenix brings systems engineering, software and cyber support for defense and intelligence customers | Add-on | IT Services & MSP | Source |
| Sep 2026 | Barrier1 SystemsGreensboro, North Carolina maker of anti-ram vehicle barriers added to Global GRAB | Add-on | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
| Jul 2026 | RSSI BarriersElectric crash-rated barrier and gate automation business added to Global GRAB | Add-on | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
| Jul 2026 | DHE Computer SystemsDebt and equity buyout of a Centennial, Colorado IT products and lifecycle services provider for schools, state and local government and businesses; the founders stay on as meaningful shareholders | Platform | IT Services & MSP | Source |
| Jul 2026 | Specialized Fabrication Equipment GroupAgreed sale of the weld-prep equipment maker to Enerpac Tool Group after six add-ons; Gladstone called it its 31st realized buyout exit | Exit | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
| Dec 2025 | Rowan EnergyOklahoma frac sand filtration and well completion services company, bought with independent sponsor Xyresic Capital | Platform | Source | |
| Jul 2025 | Global GRAB Technologies$67.6 million of equity and senior debt for a Franklin, Tennessee perimeter security and vehicle barrier company | Platform | Industrial & Manufacturing | Source |
| May 2025 | Sun State Nursery & LandscapingJacksonville, Florida commercial landscape installation and maintenance company, backed with independent sponsor Everglades Equity | Platform | Landscaping | Source |
| May 2025 | Smart Chemical SolutionsMidland, Texas supplier of production chemicals to onshore oil and gas operators, bought with Xyresic Capital | Platform | Source | |
| Mar 2025 | Nocturne Luxury VillasLuxury vacation rental management platform sold to an affiliate of Calera Capital after seven add-ons | Exit | Source | |
| Feb 2025 | Unique PyrotechnicScandinavian live special effects company added to Pyrotek Special Effects | Add-on | Source | |
| Jan 2025 | Ricardo DefenseTroy, Michigan defense engineering and systems integration firm, bought with Proteus Enterprises; it now appears on the portfolio page as Detroit Defense | Platform | Source | |
| Dec 2024 | Nielsen-KellermanMaker of rugged environmental measurement and sports performance instruments, bought together with its executive team | Platform | Consumer & Food | Source |
| Nov 2024 | Pyrotek Special EffectsSpecial effects provider for concerts, sports and live events, bought with its longtime CEO, who stayed in charge | Platform | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S4.
Business/Consumer Services
- B+T Group Acquisition, Inc.
- Dema Services Inc.
- Detroit Defense Inc.
- DHE Computer Systems, LLC
- Diligent Delivery Systems
- Educators Resource, Inc.
- GGT Perimeter Defense
- Home Concepts Holdings, LLC
- Horizon Facilities Services, Inc.
- ImageWorks Display and Marketing Group, Inc.
- J.R. Hobbs Co.
- Mason West, LLC
- Pyrotek Special Effects, Inc.
- Smart Chemical Solutions, LLC
- Sun State Nursery & Landscaping, LLC
- The Maids International, LLC
Consumer Products
- Brunswick Bowling Products, Inc.
- Ginsey Home Solutions, Inc.
- Nielsen-Kellerman, Inc.
- Old World Christmas, Inc.
- Schylling, Inc.
Manufacturing
- Edge Adhesives Holdings, Inc.
- Extrude Hone
- Galaxy Technology Holdings, Inc.
- Phoenix Door Systems, Inc.
- PSI Molded Plastics
- Rowan Energy, Inc.
- Specialized Fabrication Equipment Group, LLC Active, sale pending
- The E3 Company, LLC
- Utah Pacific Bridge & Steel, LLC
Greymont’s take
How Gladstone Investment fits a seller
Gladstone Investment suits an owner who wants a quick, reliable close from a buyer that does not need to shop the loan to banks. Because it usually brings both the debt and the equity, there are fewer parties to satisfy and less financing risk late in the process. It often keeps the people who built the company: at DHE Computer Systems the founders stayed on as meaningful shareholders and the CEO kept running the business, and at Pyrotek the longtime CEO stayed in his role.
The trade-off is that much of what Gladstone invests is a loan to your company, and the interest helps pay its shareholders' monthly dividends. Ask how much of the price is funded with that loan, what the yearly interest bill will be, and how much equity you can roll. Many deals come through independent sponsors, so ask who will sit on the board.
Questions owners ask
What size company does Gladstone Investment buy?
Its criteria call for companies with $5 million to $25 million of EBITDA, a proven business model, stable cash flow and an experienced management team, located in the continental United States. It typically invests up to $75 million of debt and equity in a single deal.
Is Gladstone Investment a lender or a buyer?
It is a buyer that also lends. As a business development company it takes equity in its buyouts and usually provides the senior secured debt as well. In July 2026 it put $56.5 million into DHE Computer Systems, split between first lien debt and preferred equity.
Does Gladstone Investment buy IT services companies?
Yes. In July 2026 it bought DHE Computer Systems, a Colorado provider of IT products and lifecycle services such as device setup, deployment, repair and early managed services for schools, state and local government and commercial customers.
Does Gladstone Investment work with independent sponsors?
Yes. It says it welcomes independent sponsor partners and can supply most or all of the capital they need. Recent examples include Xyresic Capital on Smart Chemical Solutions and Rowan Energy, Everglades Equity on Sun State, and Proteus Enterprises on Ricardo Defense.
Sources
- S1Gladstone Investment Corporation home page Accessed October 20, 2026
- S2Gladstone Investment: About Us Accessed October 20, 2026
- S3Gladstone Investment: Investment Criteria Accessed October 20, 2026
- S4Gladstone Investment: Current Investment Portfolio Accessed October 20, 2026
- S5Gladstone Investment: Press Releases Accessed October 20, 2026
- S6Gladstone Investment Reports Financial Results for its First Quarter Ended June 30, 2026 (August 6, 2026) Accessed October 20, 2026
- S7The Gladstone Companies: Funds Accessed October 20, 2026
- S8Gladstone Investment: Partnering (independent sponsors) Accessed October 20, 2026
- S9Gladstone Investment Corporation Acquires DHE Computer Systems, LLC (July 10, 2026) Accessed October 20, 2026
- S10Gladstone Investment Reports Financial Results for its Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2026 Accessed October 20, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Gladstone Investment. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction