Employee ownership private equity firm
Mosaic Capital Partners
- HeadquartersCharlotte, NC S6
- Websitemosaic-cp.com
- Last verifiedOctober 19, 2026
At a glance
| Latest fund | Mosaic Fund II, $205M (Nov 2025) S5 |
|---|---|
| EBITDA range | $5M to $15M S2 |
| Revenue range | $10M to $100M S2 |
| Check size | $10M to $25M S2 |
| Deal types | Platform S2 |
| Geography | North America S2 |
| Sectors | Industrial & Manufacturing, Landscaping, HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical, Environmental & Waste, Consumer & Food |
What Mosaic Capital Partners buys
Mosaic Capital Partners is a Charlotte firm that buys lower middle market companies by making an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) or an employee ownership trust (EOT) the new owner. It looks for businesses with $10 million to $100 million of revenue, $5 million to $15 million of EBITDA and margins of at least 10%, and it invests $10 million to $25 million per deal, more with co-investors. Target industries are business services, niche manufacturing, and consumer products and services in North America. Across two funds it has made 18 platform investments and created more than 4,000 employee owners.
The structure is what sets Mosaic apart. Mosaic and its lenders put up all of the cash, so the seller is paid at closing instead of carrying a large seller note, and the company is generally exempt from income tax afterward. Mosaic's money goes in as a subordinated note with warrants, and it requires active board representation. Its second fund closed in November 2025 with $205 million of capital, including SBIC leverage.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before October 19, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | Southern Shade TreeCarolinas landscaping and sod company; an employee ownership trust was set up for all staff and the longtime owner kept a stake | Platform | Landscaping | Source |
| Aug 2026 | Atlantic Coast Landscaping ServicesEastern North Carolina landscaper bought at the same time as Southern Shade Tree | Add-on | Landscaping | Source |
| Nov 2025 | Mosaic Fund IISecond SBIC fund closed with $205 million of capital, including leverage | Fund close | Source | |
| Nov 2025 | NuSource FinancialBank branch technology and ATM services provider sold to Convergint | Exit | Source | |
| May 2025 | Ickler ElectricSouthern California commercial electrical contractor; ESOP formed for nearly 350 employees and the owner stays as CEO | Platform | HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S4.
Business Services
- Boston Retail Solutions
- EMT
- Southern Shade Tree
- Zero Waste Recycling
Business Services / Healthcare Services
- LGS
Electrical Contracting
- Ickler Electric
Niche Manufacturing
- Custom Profile
- Gautier Steel
Pet Services
- Best Friends
Greymont’s take
How Mosaic Capital Partners fits a seller
Mosaic suits an owner who wants to sell for cash and reward employees at the same time. In a typical ESOP sale the owner finances the deal and waits years to be paid. Here the trust buys the company with money from Mosaic and its lenders, so the seller is paid at closing. Mosaic also says sellers may be able to defer capital gains tax through a Section 1042 election, which is worth confirming with a tax adviser.
Leaders tend to stay. Ickler Electric's owner remained CEO, and at Southern Shade Tree the longtime owner kept a sizable stake and the management team kept equity. A later sale is not required: Mosaic can be repaid through a recapitalization and the company can stay employee owned, though some holdings are sold, as NuSource was in 2025. Ask how much debt the company will carry, how the board will be split, and what the repayment plan looks like.
Questions owners ask
How does a Mosaic employee ownership buyout pay the seller?
In cash at closing. Mosaic and its financing partners provide all of the capital, a newly formed ESOP or employee ownership trust buys the shares, and the company pays down that debt over the following years.
What size company does Mosaic look for?
Revenue of $10 million to $100 million and EBITDA of $5 million to $15 million, with margins of 10% or more, reliable cash flow and a strong management team. Its typical investment is $10 million to $25 million.
Will the company be sold again after a Mosaic deal?
Not necessarily. Mosaic says a company can repay its investment through a recapitalization and stay employee owned for good. Some holdings are sold, though: NuSource Financial went to Convergint in November 2025.
Does Mosaic invest in trade and field service businesses?
Yes. It formed an ESOP at Ickler Electric, a Southern California electrical contractor, in May 2025, and set up an employee ownership trust at Southern Shade Tree, a Carolinas landscaping company, in August 2026.
Sources
- S1Mosaic Capital Partners home page Accessed October 19, 2026
- S2Mosaic Capital Partners: About Us and Investment Criteria Accessed October 19, 2026
- S3Mosaic Capital Partners: Employee Ownership Buyout Accessed October 19, 2026
- S4Mosaic Capital Partners: Portfolio Accessed October 19, 2026
- S5Mosaic Capital Partners Closes Fund II (November 19, 2025) Accessed October 19, 2026
- S6Mosaic Capital Partners Invests in Southern Shade Tree (August 12, 2026) Accessed October 19, 2026
- S7Mosaic Capital Partners Announces Investment in Ickler Electric ESOP (May 28, 2025) Accessed October 19, 2026
- S8Mosaic Capital Partners Announces Exit of NuSource Financial (November 10, 2025) Accessed October 19, 2026
- S9Mosaic Capital Partners News & Resources Accessed October 19, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Mosaic Capital Partners. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction