Lower middle market private equity firm
Maxim Partners
- HeadquartersChicago, IL S2
- Websitemaximpartnersllc.com
- Last verifiedNovember 5, 2026
At a glance
| EBITDA range | $3M to $15M S2 |
|---|---|
| Deal types | Platform, Growth S2 |
| Geography | North America S2 |
| Sectors | Education, Consumer & Food |
What Maxim Partners buys
Maxim Partners is a Chicago firm that invests in only two areas: education and wellness. In education that means schools, career and vocational colleges, corporate training, test preparation and education technology. In wellness it means nutrition and supplements, pet nutrition, and fitness clubs and products. It looks for founder-led companies in North America with $3 million to $15 million of EBITDA. It does management buyouts, growth capital and recapitalizations, and it wants management to roll equity alongside it.
The firm publishes no fund size, assets under management or check size. Its only announced investment in the last 24 months is a growth stake in KGK Science, a Canadian contract research company, closed in June 2026 with the size of the stake undisclosed. Its last announced majority purchase was Stratum Nutrition in February 2022. A smaller ingredient business might meet Maxim as an add-on to Stratum, which the firm said it wanted to make an acquirer, though no such add-on appears on its news page.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before November 5, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | KGK ScienceGrowth investment led by Maxim in a contract research company based in London, Ontario; closed June 30, 2026, terms and stake undisclosed, founder stays as CEO | Growth | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S3.
Education
- Education Canada Group / Robertson College
Wellness
- KGK Science
- Carbon Performance
- Zenwise Health
- Stratum Nutrition
Past investments: Nutrasource, Zesty Paws
Greymont’s take
How Maxim Partners fits a seller
Maxim suits founders of supplement, ingredient, pet nutrition, fitness or career education businesses who want a sector specialist and are willing to keep a stake. The firm says its principals put their own money into each deal, and it shapes each structure around some cash now, a retained stake and often an advisory role. KGK's founder stayed on as CEO after the 2026 investment, and the founder of Zesty Paws kept a significant stake after Maxim bought in during 2018, ahead of an agreed $610 million sale in 2021.
Deals are infrequent: the news page announces one new investment since February 2022. An owner should ask where the capital for a deal would come from, since Maxim publishes no fund, and whether it would take control or a minority stake.
Questions owners ask
What size company does Maxim Partners look for?
Its site targets North American companies with $3 million to $15 million of EBITDA. It publishes no revenue floor, check size or fund size, so an owner near the low end of that range should ask directly.
Has Maxim Partners bought anything recently?
Its latest announced deal is a growth investment in KGK Science, a contract research company in London, Ontario, which closed on June 30, 2026. The terms and the size of the stake were not disclosed. Its last announced majority purchase was Stratum Nutrition in February 2022.
Does the owner stay on after Maxim invests?
Often, yes. KGK's founder and CEO and her team stayed on to lead the business after the 2026 investment, and the founder of Zesty Paws kept a significant stake and stayed involved after the 2018 purchase. Maxim also says it looks for management to roll equity.
Sources
- S1Maxim Partners home page Accessed November 5, 2026
- S2Maxim Partners: About Us Accessed November 5, 2026
- S3Maxim Partners: Portfolio Accessed November 5, 2026
- S4Maxim Partners: News Accessed November 5, 2026
- S5Maxim Partners Solidifies Partnership with KGK Science (July 27, 2026) Accessed November 5, 2026
- S6Maxim Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Stratum Nutrition (February 3, 2022) Accessed November 5, 2026
- S7Maxim Exits Nutrasource Investment Through Sale to SGS (July 11, 2023) Accessed November 5, 2026
- S8Maxim Partners Sells Zesty Paws (September 1, 2021) Accessed November 5, 2026
- S9Maxim Partners: Team Accessed November 5, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Maxim Partners. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction