Clarion Capital Partners
Clarion Capital Partners is a New York-based private investment manager, founded in 1999, that makes majority and growth investments in lower-middle-market founder-led companies ($7.5-30M EBITDA) and invests in CLO equity and mezzanine securities through its Clarion Credit platform, serving institutional and high-net-worth investors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Clarion Capital Partners does
Clarion Capital Partners is a New York-based private investment management firm founded in 1999 by Marc Utay. It operates two complementary business segments. Clarion Private Equity makes majority and growth investments in lower-middle-market companies generating $7.5-30 million of EBITDA, typically providing first institutional capital to founder-led businesses across Media/Entertainment & Technology, Financial Technology & Services, Business & Healthcare Services, Consumer & Education Services, and Industrial Services. Clarion Credit, launched in 2018, invests in CLO equity and mezzanine securities sourced from primary and secondary markets, with the credit team having deployed over $3 billion in CLOs across their careers. The firm supplements these strategies with an Insurance Dedicated Fund (PPLI/PPVA), separately managed accounts, and since 2024 an investment management mandate for Crown Global International.
The firm is led by Managing Partner Marc Utay, with David Ragins as President of Private Equity and Robert Klein as President and CIO of Structured Credit, supported by a team of approximately 41 professionals as of March 2026 and an exceptionally tenured partnership (20+ years working together). Clarion generates revenue through management fees and carried interest on its $1.87 billion firmwide RAUM (as of 3/31/2026), anchored by Clarion Investors IV, which closed at $677 million in April 2024—59% larger than Fund III. The investment team co-invests 10-15% of fund capital, and the dedicated Clarion Performance Team provides value-creation support including strategy, M&A integration, and operational improvement across the portfolio.
The current portfolio spans approximately 20 active companies with recent additions including International Cybernetics (infrastructure testing, 2025), Marketplace Events (B2C shows, 2025), Arthur Murray International (dance studio franchisor, 2024), and Narrative Strategies (strategic communications, 2024). The firm has earned three consecutive top-10 placements on the HEC Paris-Dow Jones Small-Cap Buyout Performance Ranking, a #2 PitchBook ranking among 1,105 buyout firms, and consecutive Inc. Magazine Founder-Friendly Investor and Crain's Best Places to Work recognitions.
Clarion Capital Partners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clarion Capital Partners
- Legal name
- Clarion Capital Partners, LLC
- Website
- http://www.clarion-capital.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Clarion Capital Partners is a New York-based private investment manager, founded in 1999, that makes majority and growth investments in lower-middle-market founder-led companies ($7.5-30M EBITDA) and invests in CLO equity and mezzanine securities through its Clarion Credit platform, serving institutional and high-net-worth investors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clarion Capital Partners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private Equity Investment Management
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Large-Cap / Mega-Fund Buyout (FSANABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Multi-Sector / Generalist Growth Equity (FSANACAO), Leveraged Finance & Loan Credit (Loans/Lev Loans/Loan CLOs) (FSAHAGAI), Capital Raising Advisory (Debt/Equity/Private Capital) (BPAHADAG)
Keywords
Where Clarion Capital Partners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Clarion Capital Partners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Private Equity Management: Clarion generates revenue through management fees and carried interest from its private equity funds. The firm makes majority and growth investments in lower middle-market companies and earns returns through portfolio company value creation and eventual exits.
- Structured Credit: Clarion Credit invests in CLO securities (CLO equity and mezzanine tranches) sourced from both primary and secondary markets. Revenue is generated through returns on CLO investments including current cash yields and embedded optionality.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Clarion Capital Partners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clarion Capital Partners operates as a dual-segment investment manager: Private Equity, which makes majority and growth investments in lower middle-market companies generating $7.5-30 million of EBITDA (across Media/Entertainment/Tech, Financial Services, Healthcare Services, Consumer Services, and Industrial Services); and Structured Credit (Clarion Credit), which invests in CLO equity and mezzanine tranches sourced from primary and secondary markets. The firm raises capital through closed-end private equity funds and separately managed accounts, with Fund IV closing at $677 million in April 2024 and firmwide RAUM of $1.87 billion as of March 2026.
Product overview
Clarion Capital Partners operates as a dual-segment investment manager offering Private Equity and Structured Credit products. The Private Equity segment (launched 1999) makes control investments in lower middle-market companies ($7.5-30.0M EBITDA), while the Structured Credit segment (launched 2018) focuses on CLO equity and mezzanine investments. The firm supports portfolio companies through the dedicated Clarion Performance Team for value-creation, and offers specialized vehicles including Insurance Dedicated Funds and Separately Managed Accounts for high net worth investors. Clarion's credit business utilizes a macro-overlay strategy to dynamically shift capital deployment across CLO equity, mezz, and warehouses in primary and secondary markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Private Equity (Clarion Investors Funds) Makes majority and growth investments in lower middle-market companies generating $7.5-30.0 million of EBITDA, typically as first institutional capital. Investments span Media/Entertainment/Tech, Financial Technology & Services, Business & Healthcare Services, Consumer & Education Services, and Industrial Services. Capital is deployed through closed-end private equity funds (Fund I through IV) targeting $50-55 million average deal sizes.
- Structured Credit (Clarion Credit) Investment vehicle focused on CLO securities, primarily CLO equity and CLO mezzanine tranches, sourced from both primary and secondary markets. The credit team employs a macro-overlay strategy to dynamically shift capital deployment across CLO equity, mezzanine, and warehouses, generating returns through current cash yields and embedded optionality. The credit team has invested over $3 billion in CLO markets across their careers.
- Insurance Dedicated Fund (IDF) Tax-efficient investment strategy available to insurance policyholders and providers on major insurance carrier platforms, enabling intergenerational wealth growth via private placement life insurance (PPLI) and private placement variable annuity (PPVA) products. Targeted at high net worth individuals seeking estate planning and tax-deferred compound growth.
- Separately Managed Accounts Customized investment accounts for particular investors, managed to their bespoke strategies and target risk levels. Allows institutional investors to access Clarion's structured credit investment process through tailored mandates rather than commingled fund vehicles.
- Crown Global Insurance (Investment Management) Clarion serves as the investment manager for the general account of Crown Global Insurance, a standalone company with both insurance and investment operations. Provides investment management services to support Crown Global's insurance liabilities and investment portfolio.
- Clarion Performance Team Dedicated value-creation team providing portfolio companies with practical support in value-creation planning, strategy execution, innovation, operational improvement, talent development, M&A and integration, and performance management. Functions as a value-added operating partner service deployed across the portfolio.
Quantifiable outcome
- Top 1% ranking among 695 PE firms globally on HEC Paris-Dow Jones 2025 ranking
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Clarion Capital Partners
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Clarion Capital Partners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Clarion Capital Partners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- International Cybernetics (ICC)coreClarion invested in International Cybernetics, a U.S. and Canada-based provider of infrastructure testing services. ICC manufactures proprietary road condition measurement systems used by municipalities and transportation agencies. This marks Clarion's first acquisition in the surface transportation sector.
- Mustafa TemizcoreFormer executive with SGS and Intertek partnered with Clarion to build a TICC (Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance) services platform through acquisition strategy focused on surface transportation and electrical infrastructure markets.
- Marketplace EventscoreClarion acquired Marketplace Events, the largest organizer of business-to-consumer shows in North America. The company runs 110+ shows in 54 markets across the U.S. and Canada, attracting 2.2+ million consumers and 30,000 exhibitors annually.
- Gary EdwardscoreClarion partnered with Gary Edwards, a ballroom dance legend and 20-year Arthur Murray ambassador, to acquire Arthur Murray International. Edwards serves as CEO of the acquired company, bringing four decades of dance industry experience and world-ranked competitive achievements.
- Arthur Murray International, Inc.coreClarion and Gary Edwards acquired Arthur Murray International from the late CEO Philip S. Masters' estate. The 112-year-old company has 300 dance studios in two dozen countries. The acquisition aims to continue the company's growth and legacy in ballroom dance.
- Narrative StrategiescoreClarion made a strategic investment in Narrative Strategies, a DC-based reputation management firm. The partnership aims to support Narrative's growth and expansion while enhancing capabilities to address complex media and political environments for clients.
- Ken SpaincoreFounder and CEO of Narrative Strategies continues to lead operations with significant ownership stake following Clarion's investment. Spain emphasized the partnership enables navigation of complex media and political environments.
- Vin Di Bona ProductionscoreClarion partnered with Vin Di Bona Productions and Venture 10 Studio Group to form V10 Entertainment, combining content production expertise with investment capabilities.
- Venture 10 Studio GroupcoreClarion partnered with Vin Di Bona Productions and Venture 10 Studio Group to form V10 Entertainment, combining content production expertise with investment capabilities.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Clarion Capital Partners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Trilantic Capital Partners: Middle-market PE firm with similar control-investment strategy across business services, consumer, and energy. Comparable fund size and partnership-oriented approach to founders and management teams.
- Stellex Capital Management: Lower middle-market PE firm investing in business services and industrial services companies; comparable in size and sector orientation to Clarion's industrials/business services verticals.
- LBC Credit Partners: Direct CLO manager and structured credit investor operating SMAs and CLO funds. Most direct comparable for Clarion Credit's CLO equity and mezzanine strategy.
- CIVC Partners: Lower middle-market PE firm investing in business services and consumer companies with $7.5-30M EBITDA profiles; similar check size, sector spread, and founder-friendly approach make it a direct comparable.
- CIFC Asset Management: Specialized CLO equity/mezzanine asset manager founded by ex-Prospect Capital team; nearly identical strategy and structure to Clarion Credit. President & CIO Robert Klein's prior firm.
- Trinity Hunt Partners: Lower middle-market private equity firm focused on control investments in founder-led businesses, with comparable fund size and sector breadth (business services, consumer, industrials). Closest analog to Clarion's lower middle-market PE strategy.
- BV Investment Partners: Tech-enabled services-focused lower middle-market PE firm; closely comparable in check size and EBITDA band, with overlapping sector focus on services and business models that match several of Clarion's portfolio themes.
- JLL Partners: Middle-market PE firm making control investments in healthcare services, industrials, and consumer companies. Comparable in fund size and thematic investing approach but typically larger equity checks than Clarion.
Broad incumbents
- Ares Management: Large alternative asset manager with PE and significant private credit/CLO franchises; broader and much larger, but operates in the same combined PE-plus-structured-credit space and competes for similar LP allocations.
Emerging players
- Eagle Point Credit Company: Publicly traded CLO equity and structured credit investor with a primary/secondary CLO mandate overlapping with Clarion Credit's investment focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Clarion Capital Partners social profiles
Digital presenceClarion Capital Partners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clarion Capital Partners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Clarion Capital Partners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clarion Capital Partners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A5 records
Investments12 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clarion Capital Partners
What does Clarion Capital Partners do?
Clarion Capital Partners operates as a dual-segment investment manager: Private Equity, which makes majority and growth investments in lower middle-market companies generating $7.5-30 million of EBITDA (across Media/Entertainment/Tech, Financial Services, Healthcare Services, Consumer Services, and Industrial Services); and Structured Credit (Clarion Credit), which invests in CLO equity and mezzanine tranches sourced from primary and secondary markets. The firm raises capital through closed-end private equity funds and separately managed accounts, with Fund IV closing at $677 million in April 2024 and firmwide RAUM of $1.87 billion as of March 2026.
Is Clarion Capital Partners a public or private company?
Clarion Capital Partners is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Clarion Capital Partners founded?
Clarion Capital Partners was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Clarion Capital Partners based?
Clarion Capital Partners is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Clarion Capital Partners make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Private Equity Management is the primary driver. The others are structured Credit.
Who are Clarion Capital Partners's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Trilantic Capital Partners, Stellex Capital Management, LBC Credit Partners, CIVC Partners, CIFC Asset Management, Trinity Hunt Partners, BV Investment Partners and JLL Partners. Ares Management is listed as a broad incumbent. Eagle Point Credit Company is listed as an emerging player.
Does Clarion Capital Partners have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clarion Capital Partners.
What industry is Clarion Capital Partners in?
Clarion Capital Partners's product category is Private Equity Investment Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANABAA, Large-Cap / Mega-Fund Buyout, with a secondary code of FSANACAO, Multi-Sector / Generalist Growth Equity. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.