Lower middle market private equity firm (control buyouts)
MSouth Equity Partners
- HeadquartersAtlanta, GA S2
- Founded2007 S2
- Websitemsouth.com
- Last verifiedOctober 20, 2026
At a glance
| EBITDA range | $5M to $30M S4 |
|---|---|
| Check size | $25M to $100M S4 |
| Deal types | Platform, Add-on S4 |
| Geography | Southern US (main focus), Rest of the United States (case by case) S4 |
| Sectors | Industrial & Manufacturing, Healthcare Services, Distribution, HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical |
What MSouth Equity Partners buys
MSouth Equity Partners is an Atlanta firm that buys control of lower middle market companies, mostly in the South. It was founded in 2007 as the successor to Cravey, Green & Wahlen, which dates to 1984, and it has raised $2.2 billion across four funds. Its target industries are business services, healthcare services, niche manufacturing and specialty distribution. About 90 percent of its 46 investments have been based in the South, though it says it can invest anywhere in the country.
For a new platform, MSouth looks for $5 million to $30 million of EBITDA, an enterprise value of $25 million to $250 million and an equity check of $25 million to $100 million. Deal types include management buyouts, buy-and-build platforms, family succession and owner recapitalizations, corporate carve-outs and purchases from other sponsors. Smaller companies can fit as add-ons, which MSouth says can have EBITDA of any size. An affiliate, MSouth Capital, offers debt and minority equity for owners who do not want to sell control.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before October 20, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2025 | Summit Spine & Joint CentersSpine care and surgery center operator in Lawrenceville, GA, sold to Wellspring Capital Management | Exit | Healthcare Services | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S5.
Business Services
- BIG Language Solutions
- Medix Staffing Solutions
- The Intersect Group
- USA Hometown Experts
Financial
- MSouth Capital
Manufacturing
- Catalyst Nutraceuticals
- Engineered Products
- Form Industrial Automation
- Vectorply
Past investments: Summit Spine & Joint Centers
Greymont’s take
How MSouth Equity Partners fits a seller
MSouth suits owners of established, profitable companies in the South who are ready to sell control to a buyer with long regional roots. Its partners put their own money into every deal, and the firm expects managers to hold meaningful ownership, so a team that wants to keep equity and keep running the business fits its model.
MSouth says it aims to roughly double EBITDA through organic growth while it owns a company, and it often adds acquisitions on top. Examples include BIG Language Solutions, built as a buy-and-build in translation and interpreting, and USA Hometown Experts, formed in 2022 to buy HVAC, plumbing, electrical and overhead door service companies. In April 2025 it sold Summit Spine & Joint Centers to Wellspring Capital Management. Owners should ask how much debt MSouth plans to use and how long it expects to hold the business.
Questions owners ask
What size company does MSouth Equity Partners buy?
For new platforms it targets $5 million to $30 million of EBITDA and enterprise values of $25 million to $250 million, with $25 million to $100 million of equity. Add-ons can be any size.
Does MSouth only invest in the South?
The South is its main target, and about 90 percent of its investments have been based there, but its criteria page says it is able to invest nationwide.
Has MSouth owned HVAC and home services companies?
Yes. Its portfolio includes USA Hometown Experts, formed in 2022 to acquire HVAC, plumbing, electrical and overhead door service companies, and an earlier holding, Southern Air & Heat.
Can MSouth do a minority deal?
MSouth Equity Partners itself makes control investments, but its affiliate MSouth Capital provides customized debt and minority equity for acquisitions, recapitalizations and generational transfers.
Sources
- S1MSouth Equity Partners home page Accessed October 20, 2026
- S2MSouth: About (overview) Accessed October 20, 2026
- S3MSouth: Our Philosophy Accessed October 20, 2026
- S4MSouth: Investment Criteria Accessed October 20, 2026
- S5MSouth: Portfolio Accessed October 20, 2026
- S6MSouth portfolio: MSouth Capital Accessed October 20, 2026
- S7MSouth portfolio: USA Hometown Experts Accessed October 20, 2026
- S8MSouth portfolio: BIG Language Solutions Accessed October 20, 2026
- S9Wellspring Capital Management Completes Acquisition of Summit Spine & Joint Centers (PR Newswire, April 3, 2025) 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 MSouth Equity Partners. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction