Lower middle market private equity firm
Harkness Capital Partners
- HeadquartersNew York, NY S10
- Websiteharknesscapital.com
- Last verifiedOctober 28, 2026
At a glance
| EBITDA range | $5M to $25M S3 |
|---|---|
| Deal types | Platform, Add-on S7 |
| Geography | North America S7 |
| Sectors | Construction Services, Roofing, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare Services |
What Harkness Capital Partners buys
Harkness Capital Partners is a New York private equity firm that invests only in lower middle market service businesses. Its criteria page sets a platform target of $5 million to $25 million of EBITDA. It wants family or founder owned companies with a steady growth record, room to add locations or services, and owners or managers who would like to keep a stake. Target segments are field and facility services, rental and equipment services, infrastructure and industrial services, transportation, logistics and distribution, and other outsourced services. Its partners invest their own money next to outside investors.
Harkness usually buys a majority stake, puts former operating executives on the board and funds add-on acquisitions. Current platforms are Premier Fence, a New England fencing, gate and access control contractor; Best Roofing in South Florida; Capital Pump & Equipment, an Arizona pump rental business; and Homestyle Direct, an Idaho home meal delivery company. A business below $5 million of EBITDA would most likely join one of these as an add-on, as SecurityWorks did in 2026.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before October 28, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | SecurityWorksEast Bridgewater, Massachusetts perimeter security, gate and access control company added to Premier Fence; closed March 6, 2026 | Add-on | Construction Services | Source |
| Oct 2025 | Cenavera NutritionK-12 school foodservice provider sold to Nautic Partners after an investment that began in 2017 | Exit | Source | |
| Oct 2025 | Premier FenceCanton, Massachusetts fencing, guardrail and access control contractor; the founder stays on as CEO. Second platform in Fund II, closed September 29, 2025 | Platform | Construction Services | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S5.
Field and Facility Services
- Premier Fence
- Best Roofing
Outsourced Business Services
- Homestyle Direct
Specialty Rental
- Capital Pump & Equipment
Past investments: Southwest Foodservice Excellence, Kane Logistics
Greymont’s take
How Harkness Capital Partners fits a seller
Harkness fits the owner of a field or facility service company, a specialty rental business or a logistics provider who wants a buyer that has run similar companies. Its operating partners sit on portfolio boards; at Premier Fence they include a former CEO of a gate company. Founders tend to stay involved. Premier's founder remained CEO, and Capital Pump's founder moved to the board as a significant investor when a new CEO took over in 2025.
The criteria favor owners and managers who keep some ownership, so expect to be asked to roll equity. Harkness has also held companies for a long time: it owned Cenavera Nutrition from 2017 until the 2025 sale to Nautic Partners. An owner should ask how long Harkness expects to hold the business, what role the founder keeps as the company grows, and how add-ons will be paid for.
Questions owners ask
What size company does Harkness Capital Partners look for?
Its investment criteria page targets platform companies with $5 million to $25 million of EBITDA. Its recent press releases give a narrower $5 million to $15 million range, so the upper end may vary by deal.
What industries does Harkness invest in?
Service businesses only. Its target segments are field and facility services, rental and equipment services, infrastructure and industrial services, transportation, logistics and distribution, and other outsourced services.
Does Harkness buy fencing, gate or access control companies?
Yes. In September 2025 it invested in Premier Fence, a Canton, Massachusetts contractor for fencing, guardrails, gates and access control, and in March 2026 Premier acquired SecurityWorks, a perimeter security company in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Sources
- S1Harkness Capital Partners home page Accessed October 28, 2026
- S2About Harkness Capital Partners Accessed October 28, 2026
- S3Harkness Capital Partners: Investment Criteria Accessed October 28, 2026
- S4Harkness Capital Partners: Investment Approach Accessed October 28, 2026
- S5Harkness Capital Partners: Portfolio Accessed October 28, 2026
- S6Harkness Capital Partners: Recent News / Press Releases Accessed October 28, 2026
- S7Harkness Capital Partners Announces Partnership with Premier Fence (October 7, 2025) Accessed October 28, 2026
- S8Premier Fence Announces Strategic Partnership with SecurityWorks (April 14, 2026) Accessed October 28, 2026
- S9Harkness Capital Partners sells Cenavera Nutrition to Nautic Partners (October 16, 2025) Accessed October 28, 2026
- S10Capital Pump & Equipment Appoints Lee Ramer as Chief Executive Officer (February 10, 2025) Accessed October 28, 2026
- S11Harkness portfolio: Premier Fence Accessed October 28, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Harkness Capital Partners. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction