Lower middle market private equity firm with a separate real estate strategy
Willow Creek Partners
- HeadquartersTysons, VA S2
- Founded2017 S2
- Websitewillowcreekpartners.com
- Last verifiedNovember 5, 2026
At a glance
| EBITDA range | $2M to $10M S3 |
|---|---|
| Deal types | Platform, Add-on S3 |
| Sectors | IT Services & MSP, Accounting & Professional Services, Construction Services |
What Willow Creek Partners buys
Willow Creek Partners is a Tysons, Virginia firm founded in 2017. It buys majority stakes in profitable, founder-led companies with $2 million to $10 million of EBITDA and 15 to 20 or more years of history. It says it pays 3 to 6 times EBITDA, uses conservative debt and holds for 3 to 5 years. Its operating partners work inside each company from the first day, with their own money at stake, on sales, finance, systems and succession.
The firm grew out of multifamily real estate and still runs a real estate strategy, but the holdings it lists today are service businesses: FUSION (architecture and engineering), The One 23 Group (federal IT), CMG (construction management) and Merge (business brokerage). It counts 38 transactions and more than $1 billion of capital deployed, raised from family offices and individual investors through single-deal vehicles and fund commitments. A smaller company is most likely to meet the firm as an add-on to FUSION or The One 23 Group.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before November 5, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)Federal mission IT and cybersecurity provider added to The One 23 Group, along with its ICS Labs unit | Add-on | IT Services & MSP | Source |
| Mar 2025 | CMG, Inc.Construction management for restaurant and retail brands, founded in 2005 | Platform | Construction Services | Source |
| 2025 | ACi ArchitectsWinter Park, Florida architecture studio added to the Fusion AE platform, now FUSION | Add-on | Accounting & Professional Services | Source |
| 2025 | Reztark Design StudioCincinnati architecture and design studio added to the Fusion AE platform, now FUSION | Add-on | Accounting & Professional Services | Source |
| 2025 | MergeTechnology-enabled business brokerage and M&A advisor; size of the stake not disclosed | Investment | Accounting & Professional Services | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S6.
Architecture
- ACi Architects
Architecture & Design
- ID Studio 4
- Reztark Design Studio
Architecture & Engineering
- FUSION
Architecture & Interior Design
- Sperides Reiners Architects
Construction Management
- CMG, Inc.
Government IT Services
- ICS Inc.
Government Services
- The One 23 Group
M&A Advisory
- Merge
Greymont’s take
How Willow Creek Partners fits a seller
Willow Creek suits a founder of a long-running, profitable service business who wants to step back over time rather than leave at closing. Its 2025 review says management usually stays involved for several years, and its playbook covers jobs many founders still do themselves: sales, finance, systems and succession. Owners of federal IT contractors or architecture and engineering firms may fit best, because the firm already has platforms in both.
Price is the first thing to test. The firm says it buys at 3 to 6 times EBITDA and that upgraded platforms sell at 7 to 10 times, so compare any offer with other buyers. Ask who from the operating team will work in your company and what they plan to change in the first year. Also ask how the firm treats sellers who come through Merge, the brokerage it backs.
Questions owners ask
Does Willow Creek Partners buy government IT contractors?
Yes. It owns The One 23 Group, a Herndon, Virginia federal technology company, which bought Integrated Computer Solutions in August 2025. That deal added mission IT and cybersecurity work for federal agencies.
How big does a company need to be for Willow Creek Partners?
It looks for $2 million to $10 million of EBITDA and 15 to 20 or more years of operating history. It takes majority control, so a minority sale is not its stated approach.
Is Willow Creek Partners a real estate firm or a private equity firm?
Both. It still buys office, industrial and apartment properties, but its 2025 review says it has expanded from multifamily roots into operating businesses, and all nine companies on its portfolio page are private equity holdings.
Does the owner stay on after Willow Creek Partners invests?
Usually, for a while. Its 2025 review says it does not aim to replace founding teams and that management stays active for several years after a deal, working alongside the firm's own operating partners.
Sources
- S1Willow Creek Partners home page Accessed November 5, 2026
- S2Willow Creek Partners: About Accessed November 5, 2026
- S3Willow Creek Partners: Investment Strategies Accessed November 5, 2026
- S4Willow Creek Partners: Private Equity Accessed November 5, 2026
- S5Willow Creek Partners: Real Estate Accessed November 5, 2026
- S6Willow Creek Partners: Portfolio Accessed November 5, 2026
- S7Willow Creek Partners: The One 23 Group Accessed November 5, 2026
- S8Willow Creek Partners: ICS Inc. Accessed November 5, 2026
- S9Willow Creek Partners: FUSION Accessed November 5, 2026
- S10Willow Creek Partners: 2025 Year in Review (December 30, 2025) Accessed November 5, 2026
- S11Willow Creek Partners: Investor Access Accessed November 5, 2026
- S12Washington Technology: One 23 Group acquires mission, enterprise IT provider (August 19, 2025) Accessed November 5, 2026
- S13The One 23 Group: About Accessed November 5, 2026
- S14Benchmark International: CMG, Inc. and Willow Creek Partners transaction note (March 31, 2025) Accessed November 5, 2026
- S15FUSION Launches New Multidisciplinary Practice (May 27, 2026) Accessed November 5, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Willow Creek Partners. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction