Independent sponsor
Uncommon Equity
Formerly City Capital Ventures
- HeadquartersChicago, IL S11
- Founded2015 S4
- Websiteuncommonequity.com
- Last verifiedNovember 3, 2026
At a glance
| EBITDA range | $5M to $50M S2 |
|---|---|
| Check size | $10M to $100M S2 |
| Deal types | Platform, Add-on S2 |
| Geography | United States, Canada S2 |
| Sectors | Consumer & Food, Construction Services, Industrial & Manufacturing, Distribution |
What Uncommon Equity buys
Uncommon Equity is a Chicago investment firm, known as City Capital Ventures until March 2025, that raises money for one company at a time from a private network of investors instead of a traditional fund. Because each deal stands on its own, it can hold a business on that company's timeline. It looks for growth buyouts, control recapitalizations, management buyouts and family succession deals, and it also co-invests with like-minded partners. It avoids distressed situations, workouts and venture. Current themes are multi-unit and franchise businesses, restaurants, retail and hospitality, residential and consumer services, food and packaged goods, and industrial and business services.
Its guidelines call for $5 million to $50 million of EBITDA and equity checks of $10 million to $100 million, with room to go higher, in the US or Canada. A smaller company is most likely to meet the firm as an add-on to a holding such as Rackson Restaurants, which bought 32 Burger King restaurants in Connecticut in 2025.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before November 3, 2026.
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S3.
Construction Services
- Great Lakes Restoration Group
Consumer & Food
- Gathering House Hospitality
- Rackson Restaurants
- Redberry Restaurants
- Feel Good Foods
- Rib Rack
Distribution
- Whisha Coffee Distributors
Industrial & Manufacturing
- ProSteel Security Products
- Diedrich Roasters
Greymont’s take
How Uncommon Equity fits a seller
Uncommon Equity suits owners of multi-unit or franchised businesses, restaurants, food brands and residential or commercial service companies who want a buyer that already knows those models. Its bench of operating advisors leans heavily toward restaurant and consumer executives. In the HopCat deal, two operating partners joined the board with the firm's CEO, while the executive chairman stayed in his role and the firm said it would partner with the CEO and CFO.
Because it invests one company at a time, there is no fund end date pushing toward a sale, which may appeal to a family that cares how long the new owner stays. That same structure means equity is lined up deal by deal, so an owner should ask how firm the money is at the letter of intent stage and who stands behind it. Ask too how much debt the firm plans to use.
Questions owners ask
Is Uncommon Equity the same firm as City Capital Ventures?
Yes. City Capital Ventures rebranded as Uncommon Equity in March 2025 and kept the same leadership and team. It moved its Chicago headquarters to One North Wacker at the same time.
What size company does Uncommon Equity look for?
Its published guidelines call for $5 million to $50 million of EBITDA and equity investments of $10 million to $100 million, which it says can flex higher, for companies in the US or Canada.
Does Uncommon Equity invest from a fund?
It describes itself as a single-asset direct investor backed by a private network of investors. Each company is managed on its own merit and timeline, without the time pressure that comes from a fund's end date.
Does management stay after Uncommon Equity invests?
In the October 2025 HopCat purchase, the firm said it would partner with the chairman, CEO and CFO. The executive chairman kept his role, and the firm's CEO and two operating partners joined the board.
Sources
- S1Uncommon Equity home page Accessed November 3, 2026
- S2Uncommon Equity: Philosophy and Investment Criteria Accessed November 3, 2026
- S3Uncommon Equity: Portfolio Accessed November 3, 2026
- S4City Capital Ventures Rebrands to Uncommon Equity (March 11, 2025) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S5Uncommon Equity Acquires HopCat (October 29, 2025) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S6Exciting News from Rackson (February 1, 2025) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S7Uncommon Equity: Gathering House Hospitality Accessed November 3, 2026
- S8Uncommon Equity: Rackson Restaurants Accessed November 3, 2026
- S9Uncommon Equity: Great Lakes Restoration Group Accessed November 3, 2026
- S10Uncommon Equity: Team and Operating Advisors Accessed November 3, 2026
- S11Uncommon Equity: Contact Accessed November 3, 2026
- S12Uncommon Equity: News Accessed November 3, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Uncommon Equity. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction