Family office private investment firm
Nolan Capital
- HeadquartersHermosa Beach, CA S6
- Founded2014 S2
- Websitenolancap.com
- Last verifiedNovember 4, 2026
At a glance
| EBITDA range | $1M to $75M S3 |
|---|---|
| Check size | $10M to $150M S3 |
| Deal types | Platform, Add-on S3 |
| Geography | North America S3 |
| Sectors | Consumer & Food, Industrial & Manufacturing |
What Nolan Capital buys
Nolan Capital is the family office of Peter Nolan, a former managing partner of Leonard Green & Partners. Since 2014 it has invested his family's own money from Hermosa Beach, California. It buys control of founder-owned and other private companies, corporate carve-outs and secondary buyouts, and it backs add-ons for what it owns. Its stated industries are broad, from aerospace and distribution to healthcare, manufacturing and specialty retail. Today it holds the C-A-L Ranch and Coastal Farm & Ranch store chains, park concessionaire ExplorUS, wet wipe maker Diamond Wipes and a minority stake in software company Genea.
It looks for companies with $1 million to $75 million of EBITDA and writes equity checks of $10 million to $150 million across North America. With no fund investors, it keeps debt conservative, sets no holding period and welcomes owners who want to invest alongside it. A smaller company is most likely to meet Nolan as an add-on to one of these businesses.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before November 4, 2026.
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S4.
Operating Companies
- C-A-L Ranch Stores and Coastal Farm & Ranch
- ExplorUS
- Diamond Wipes International
- Genea
Past investments: Water Engineering, Fresh Brothers
Greymont’s take
How Nolan Capital fits a seller
Nolan Capital suits a founder who wants an owner with deep private equity experience but no fund clock. It invests one family's capital, keeps debt conservative and leaves daily operations to management, and it invites owners and managers to invest alongside it.
Its Water Engineering deal shows what that looks like in practice. Nolan took a majority stake in March 2022, backed a long run of add-ons, then sold the company to Kemira for about $150 million in cash in 2025, about three and a half years later. So having no set holding period does not mean never selling. An owner should ask how Nolan decides when to sell, and how any rolled equity would be treated in that sale. The stated $1 million EBITDA floor is low, but a $10 million minimum equity check means most new platforms will be well above it.
Questions owners ask
Does Nolan Capital still own Water Engineering?
No. Nolan agreed in September 2025 to sell it to Kemira for about $150 million in cash, and Kemira completed the purchase in October 2025. Water Engineering had reached customers in 39 states through eleven acquisitions.
What size company does Nolan Capital invest in?
It targets companies with $1 million to $75 million of EBITDA and writes equity checks of $10 million to $150 million. Smaller companies can also come in as add-ons to businesses it already owns.
How is Nolan Capital different from a private equity fund?
It invests one family's money rather than outside capital, so it has no fund life or fund investors to answer to. It says it takes a conservative view of debt and sets no fixed period for owning a company.
Can current owners keep a stake when Nolan invests?
The firm says it welcomes existing owners and managers investing alongside it. It holds controlling interests in most of its companies and a minority interest in Genea, though its stated deal types are control transactions and add-ons.
Sources
- S1Nolan Capital home page Accessed November 4, 2026
- S2Nolan Capital: About Accessed November 4, 2026
- S3Nolan Capital: Investment Parameters Accessed November 4, 2026
- S4Nolan Capital: Operating Companies Accessed November 4, 2026
- S5Nolan Capital: Former Investments Accessed November 4, 2026
- S6Nolan Capital: Contact Accessed November 4, 2026
- S7Nolan Capital: News Accessed November 4, 2026
- S8Nolan Capital Announces Agreement to Sell Water Engineering to Kemira (September 16, 2025) Accessed November 4, 2026
- S9Kemira expands into industrial water treatment services with the acquisition of Water Engineering, Inc. (September 16, 2025) Accessed November 4, 2026
- S10Kemira completes the acquisition of Water Engineering, Inc. (October 24, 2025) Accessed November 4, 2026
- S11Water Engineering Inc. announces the Acquisition of LDW Water Technologies, Inc. (July 1, 2025) Accessed November 4, 2026
- S12Nolan Capital: Team Accessed November 4, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Nolan Capital. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction