Private Equity Firms in Utah

Banner Capital Management, LLC is a private equity firm headquartered in Lehi, Utah, specializing in providing partnership capital to family-owned and founder-led businesses across the Western United States. Founded in 2018 by Tanner Ainge, Banner focuses on the lower middle market, targeting companies with EBITDA between $4 million and $15 million, and typically invests $15 million to $60 million per transaction. The firm emphasizes long-term partnerships, offering tailored capital solutions to support growth and succession planning. With a strategic focus on the Intermountain West, Banner invests across the services, consumer, industrial, and healthcare sectors. The firm's approach combines financial investment with operational expertise, leveraging a network of advisors and industry professionals to help portfolio companies navigate complex business challenges and achieve sustainable growth. Banner's commitment to aligning with the vision and values of its partners has earned it recognition, including being named to Inc.'s 2024 list of Founder-Friendly Investors. As of June 2025, Banner Capital Management manages approximately $653 million in assets under management (AUM). The firm's portfolio includes investments in companies such as Western Pavement Services, Vision Graphics, and Queen of Wraps. Banner continues to seek opportunities to partner with high-character leaders and strong businesses, aiming to create lasting value for its investors and the communities it serves.

DESRI (D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments) is a prominent renewable energy company based in the United States. The firm specializes in the development, acquisition, ownership, and operation of utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects across the country. As a long-term owner, DESRI is actively involved in all stages of a project's lifecycle, encompassing development, construction, financing, and ongoing operations. The company's commitment lies in delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions to communities throughout the U.S.Founded in 2010, DESRI has rapidly grown its portfolio, which now includes over 11 GW of generation capacity across more than 75 projects in 22 states. The firm collaborates with local partners and landowners to tailor projects to specific community needs, emphasizing advanced solar panels, racking, inverters, and battery storage technologies to maximize production and minimize environmental footprint. DESRI is a subsidiary of the D. E. Shaw group, a global investment and technology development firm.DESRI's investment strategy extends to providing capital solutions for renewable energy assets, demonstrating its capabilities as a financial investor in the industry. Notable projects include the acquisition of the 300 MW Balko Wind project in Oklahoma, the development of solar-plus-storage facilities in New Mexico and Arizona, and preferred equity investments in Texas solar portfolios and battery energy storage systems. The firm's expertise in securing power purchase agreements (PPAs) and bringing projects to successful operation underscores its leadership in the renewable energy sector.The leadership team at DESRI comprises experienced professionals dedicated to advancing renewable energy. Key members include David M. Zwillinger as Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas de Swardt as President, Bob Schoenherr as Chief Strategy Officer, Hy Martin as Chief Development Officer, Manhal Aboudi as Chief Technology Officer, R.C. Petrella, Jr. as Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, Stan Krutonogiy as Chief Financial Officer, and Stephen Jones as Chief Operating Officer. This team drives DESRI's mission to expand access to renewable energy and strengthen energy infrastructure across the United States.

The Gart Companies is a privately held, multifaceted investment firm based in Denver, Colorado, operating through two primary divisions: Gart Properties and Gart Capital Partners. Gart Properties focuses on real estate investment, development, and management, holding an extensive portfolio that includes office buildings, resort properties, residential developments, and retail shopping centers. Gart Capital Partners functions as a private investment partnership, specializing in growth equity, management buyouts, and recapitalizations of closely-held and family-owned businesses. The firm is known for its long-term partnership approach, leveraging its operational heritage and deep community relationships to identify opportunities and add value across its ventures.The legacy of The Gart Companies traces back to 1928 with Nathan Gart's sporting goods business. The Gart Companies itself was formally established in 1992 by brothers Tom, Ken, and John Gart, following the sale of the family's long-standing Gart Brothers Sporting Goods Company. Tom Gart has served as President since 1993, with the firm evolving to manage and direct investments for the Gart Family and their partners. This multi-generational business is now seeing the fourth generation, with Evan Gart leading Gart Properties and Alex Gart at the helm of Gart Capital Partners, aiming to continue the family's entrepreneurial spirit and integrity.Gart Capital Partners has made notable investments in various sectors, including GolfTEC Enterprises, a golf teaching and club-fitting company, and Work World, a workwear retailer. Other portfolio companies have included Colorado Baggage, Swoozies gift card shops, and Topo Designs, an outdoor brand. Gart Properties boasts a diverse real estate portfolio across the Rocky Mountain West, with significant holdings such as Edwards Corner, Canyon View Marketplace, and previously the Denver Pavilions. The firm actively seeks to acquire value-add real estate and invest in high-growth companies, demonstrating a commitment to unlocking unrealized value in its assets.The firm's leadership team comprises experienced professionals with deep expertise in real estate, private equity, finance, and operations. Key individuals include the founding Gart brothers, Tom, John, and Ken, alongside the next generation leaders Evan Gart and Alex Gart. The team's integrated approach, local expertise, and hands-on operational involvement are central to their strategy, ensuring swift execution in leasing, construction, and asset management. Their collective background spans decades in business and investment, contributing to their reputation as strategic and operational partners.

Next Coast Ventures is an Austin, Texas-based venture capital firm that partners with entrepreneurs to invest in emerging, "next coast" companies at critical stages of development, aiming to launch them into hyper-growth. The firm employs a thematic investing approach, focusing on high-growth startups outside traditional coastal tech hubs, with a significant concentration of investments in Texas and other emerging technology centers. Their investment strategy is built around supporting disruptive businesses in large markets, leveraging macro trends and specific themes such as the future of work, online learning, and self-care.Founded in 2015 by Michael Smerklo and Thomas Ball, Next Coast Ventures was established with the vision of creating a different kind of venture capital firm, one "built for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs." The founders aimed to share their extensive operating and investing experience to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of building and scaling businesses, reducing the learning curve for new ventures. This ethos is reflected in their hands-on approach and the comprehensive platform resources they offer to portfolio companies.The firm's portfolio includes notable companies such as UpEquity, which is revolutionizing home buying; Workweek, reimagining business media; Everly Health, transforming healthcare access through at-home diagnostic solutions; and Diligent Robotics, creating hospital automation with socially intelligent robots. Other significant investments include Sift, an AI-powered fraud detection platform, and AlertMedia, a cloud-based emergency communication software. Next Coast Ventures typically invests in early-stage companies, ranging from Seed to Series A, and also provides follow-on capital through opportunity funds, and has an ETA fund for entrepreneurs acquiring and scaling small to medium-sized businesses.The Next Coast Ventures team comprises partners who were successful operators before transitioning into venture capital, offering pragmatic advice rooted in personal experience. They provide portfolio companies with "Roll Up Your Sleeves" help, access to an expert network of over 150 operators, and company-building playbooks. Key team members include co-founders Michael Smerklo and Thomas Ball, along with partners like Jonathan Kaplan, Adam Rogers, Anthony Walker, and Dustin Sellers, all contributing to the firm's mission of supporting founders through their growth journey.