Lower middle market private equity firm

Tico Capital Partners

At a glance

EBITDA range$1M to $10M S2
Revenue range$10M to $100M S2
Deal typesPlatform, Add-on, Minority S2
GeographyUnited States S6
SectorsIndustrial & Manufacturing, Distribution, Software & SaaS

What Tico Capital Partners buys

Tico Capital Partners is an Atlanta private equity firm set up in 2024 by the team behind KT Capital Partners, an Atlanta buyout firm that dates to 2007. It buys controlling stakes in lower middle market companies, most often through majority recapitalizations in which the existing owners keep a share. Its stated areas are specialty manufacturing, value-added distribution, software, business services and automotive. Current holdings include call accounting software, recycling equipment, window covering parts, pipe flange protection products, and equipment for car dealerships and repair shops.

For a new platform, Tico wants $10 million to $100 million of revenue and $1 million to $10 million of EBITDA, with steady cash flow and room to grow. It will do buyouts, family successions, management buyouts, carve-outs, recapitalizations and minority deals. Its fact sheet says add-ons have no size minimum, so a smaller company can meet Tico by joining a current holding, as Advanced Equipment Sales did when it became part of Recycling Equipment, Inc. in 2025.

Recent deals

Announced in the 24 months before October 26, 2026.

DateCompanyTypeSectorSource
Mar 2026AME AutomotiveMajority recapitalization, completed in February 2026 with the existing owners, of a Michigan firm that designs, equips and installs facilities for car dealershipsPlatformDistributionSource
Sep 2025Advanced Equipment SalesAir systems, dust collection and recycling equipment provider added to Recycling Equipment, Inc.; both founders stay on to run itAdd-onIndustrial & ManufacturingSource
Jun 2025Precision Piping ProductsMajority stake, alongside 7 Seas Capital, in a Houston maker of pipe flange protection products; closed May 22, 2025 and the founders keep leading itPlatformIndustrial & ManufacturingSource

Portfolio by sector

From the firm's portfolio page S3.

Current portfolio companies

  • AME Automotive
  • Autotality
  • ITA Window Fashions
  • Microcall / Micro-Tel
  • Precision Piping Products
  • Recycling Equipment, Inc.

Past investments: Dealer Solutions and Design, Estimating Edge, FilterWorks USA, ON Event Services

Greymont’s take

How Tico Capital Partners fits a seller

Tico suits a founder of a manufacturing, distribution or niche software business in the $1 million to $10 million EBITDA range who wants to sell a majority stake but stay involved. Its recent deals were recapitalizations done with the existing owners: the Precision Piping founders kept running that company, and both founders of Advanced Equipment Sales stayed in their roles after joining REI. Tico is a small, partner-led firm that adds operating partners, some of them former business owners, to its boards.

Because Tico is a new name and does not publish a fund size, an owner should ask early where the equity for the deal comes from and whether a co-investor, such as 7 Seas Capital in the Precision Piping deal, will share control. Past holdings were sold after anywhere from about two years (Dealer Solutions and Design) to eight (ON Event Services), so it is worth asking how long Tico expects to own the business.

Questions owners ask

What size company does Tico Capital Partners look for?

For a new platform it wants $10 million to $100 million of revenue and $1 million to $10 million of EBITDA. Its fact sheet says add-on acquisitions for its current companies have no size minimum.

Is Tico Capital the same firm as KT Capital Partners?

Not exactly. Tico was formed in 2024 as a successor and affiliate of KT Capital Partners, an Atlanta firm founded in 2007. Tico partner Jim Tapp was a founding partner of KT and still manages its remaining investments, and Tico's track record includes KT-era deals such as Estimating Edge.

Does the owner stay involved after Tico invests?

Usually. Its recent deals were recapitalizations done with the existing owners. The Precision Piping founders continued to lead that company, and both founders of Advanced Equipment Sales kept their leadership roles after it joined Recycling Equipment, Inc. in 2025.

Sources

  1. S1Tico Capital Partners home page Accessed October 26, 2026
  2. S2Tico Capital Partners: Our Investment Approach (investment criteria) Accessed October 26, 2026
  3. S3Tico Capital Partners: Investment Portfolio Accessed October 26, 2026
  4. S4Tico Capital Partners: About and Team (established 2024) Accessed October 26, 2026
  5. S5Tico Capital Partners: News and Updates Accessed October 26, 2026
  6. S6Tico Capital Partners Fact Sheet (PDF, June 2025) Accessed October 26, 2026
  7. S7Tico Capital Partners Completes Acquisition of AME Automotive (March 9, 2026) Accessed October 26, 2026
  8. S8Tico Capital Partners Completes Add-On for Recycling Equipment, Inc. with Acquisition of Advanced Equipment Sales (September 4, 2025) Accessed October 26, 2026
  9. S9Tico Capital and 7 Seas Capital Acquire Majority Stake in Precision Piping Products (June 3, 2025) Accessed October 26, 2026
  10. S10Tico Capital Acquires Majority Stake in Recycling Equipment Incorporated (September 2024) Accessed October 26, 2026

Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Tico Capital Partners. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction

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