What Highlander Partners does

Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm that makes direct private equity and mezzanine investments in mid-sized companies across consumer products, food and beverage, defense technology, healthcare, and industrial sectors. The firm pursues a 'buy and build' strategy, acquiring category-leading branded platforms and supporting their growth through operational expertise, add-on acquisitions, and selective geographic expansion. Notable current and historical portfolio companies include Black Sage Technologies (AI-driven counter-UAS via the DefenseOS platform), DZYNE Technologies and Liteye Systems (unmanned aircraft systems and defense electronics), Tapatío (#5 U.S. hot sauce brand), Ergobaby (premium baby carriers in 75+ countries), RMS Beauty (clean beauty pioneer), SFERRA (luxury linens), McIntosh Group (divested to Bose in 2024), Direct Scaffolding Supply, and MONZA-ARES (Romanian private hospital group). Senior leadership includes CEO/President Jeff Hull and Managing Directors David Olsen and Raluca Nita, who operate the firm with a small, hands-on team and source deals across both U.S. and European geographies.

Name

Highlander Partners

Legal name

Highlander Partners, L.P.

Website

https://highlander-partners.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Highlander Partners is a Dallas-based private investment firm that acquires and builds category-leading branded companies across consumer products, food and beverage, defense technology, and healthcare using a buy-and-build strategy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Equity Investment Management

NAICS

Other Financial Investment Activities (5239), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Equity Fundraising Placement (FSAEALAB)

Keywords

• Private equity investments
• Mezzanine investments
• Buy and build strategy
• Defense technology investing
• Consumer brand acquisitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Investment Returns and Portfolio Management: Highlander Partners generates returns through strategic investments in portfolio companies across defense technology, consumer products, and food & beverage sectors. The firm acquires companies, supports their growth through operational expertise and additional acquisitions, and ultimately exits investments for gains.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Highlander Partners is a Dallas-based private investment firm that makes direct private equity and mezzanine investments in middle-market companies. It acquires category-leading branded businesses across defense technology, consumer products, food and beverage, healthcare, and specialty industries, supports their growth through operational expertise and additional acquisitions, and ultimately exits investments to realize returns. The firm's portfolio currently spans AI-driven counter-UAS and unmanned aircraft systems, premium audio equipment, clean beauty, premium baby carriers, hot sauces, luxury linens, and private hospital operations.

Product overview

Highlander Partners is a Dallas-based private investment firm that acquires and manages portfolio companies across diverse sectors including defense technology, consumer brands, and healthcare. The portfolio includes Black Sage Technologies (AI-driven C-UAS and DefenseOS platform for military and security), DZYNE Technologies (advanced unmanned aircraft systems with AI integration), McIntosh Group (premium audio brands including McIntosh and Sonus Faber), RMS Beauty (clean beauty pioneer), Ergobaby (premium baby carriers under Ergobaby, Tula, and Belly Bandit brands), Tapatío (hot sauce brand ranked #5 in U.S. market), SFERRA (luxury linens), and MONZA-ARES (Romanian private hospital operator). Rather than offering a unified platform product, Highlander operates as an investment firm with a collection of independently-run portfolio companies across defense technology, consumer products, and healthcare sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Black Sage Technologies Boise-based provider of Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) and security solutions, developing multi-mission platforms utilizing an AI-driven system called DefenseOS for military and critical infrastructure protection. Acquired by Highlander Partners from Acorn Growth Companies in 2023.
• DZYNE Technologies Developer of advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) focusing on long-endurance, highly technical solutions integrated with artificial intelligence for defense sectors. Acquired by Highlander Partners in January 2023.
• McIntosh Group High-end audio equipment manufacturer holding brands including McIntosh, Sonus Faber, Pro-Ject, Rotel, and Bassocontinuo. Acquired by Highlander Partners in June 2022 and subsequently sold to Bose Corporation in November 2024.
• RMS Beauty Pioneer brand of the clean beauty movement founded by makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift in 2009, focused on clean cosmetics and beauty products. Acquired by Highlander Partners in October 2021, with Managing Director David Olsen assuming the CEO role.
• Ergobaby Global leader in premium baby carriers operating across more than 75 countries with brands including Ergobaby, Tula, and Belly Bandit, distributed through approximately 1,800 retail locations. Acquired by Highlander Partners from Compass Diversified in December 2024.
• Tapatío The fifth-best-selling hot sauce brand in the United States, founded in California in 1971 and distributed through major retailers and restaurant chains in the Western United States. Acquired by Highlander Partners in January 2026 with co-investment from The Arnold Companies and senior financing from J.P. Morgan.
• SFERRA Luxury linens and home lifestyle company offering premium bedding and home textile products. Operates as a core portfolio holding of Highlander Partners.
• Direct Scaffolding Supply (DSS) Major scaffold supplier based in Houston, Texas, with a global presence and affiliated companies. Acquired by Highlander Partners in April 2022 to accelerate strategic growth.
• MONZA-ARES Leading Romanian private hospital group focused on cardiology and complex surgery, operating across multiple specialties including neurosurgery, ENT, orthopedics, and general surgery. Operates as a core portfolio holding of Highlander Partners.
• Direct private equity and mezzanine investment services Private equity and mezzanine capital deployment for founder-led, family-owned, and corporate-divestiture targets seeking acquisition, recapitalization, or growth capital. Includes operational support, additional acquisition roll-ups, and eventual exit via strategic sale or recapitalization.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Centre Partners: Middle-market private equity firm focused on consumer, retail, and services companies, with a similar investment size, hold period, and operationally-oriented value creation approach to Highlander.
• Brentwood Associates: Middle-market PE firm investing in branded consumer, specialty retail, and business services — closely comparable to Highlander in fund size, sector emphasis, and approach to founder-led branded businesses.
• Sun Capital Partners: Middle-market PE firm with a strong consumer products franchise and 'buy and build' approach — comparable to Highlander in sector focus and deal-making style, though with generally larger fund vehicles.
• Avista Capital Partners: Middle-market private equity firm with investments across consumer, healthcare, and industrial sectors — comparable to Highlander's diversified mid-market 'buy and build' strategy.
• CIC Partners: Dallas-based middle-market PE firm focused on branded consumer products and food & beverage — directly comparable in sector focus, deal size, and 'buy and build' approach to Highlander's consumer portfolio.
• Lone Star Funds: Dallas-based private equity firm with a long history of direct mid-market investments across sectors including consumer, industrial, and financial services — the most geographically and strategically aligned peer to Highlander Partners.
• Z Capital Partners: Middle-market private equity firm with diversified sector exposure including consumer products and industrials — comparable in deal size and cross-sector investment approach.
• J.W. Childs Associates: Middle-market PE firm with a long history of consumer and branded product investments, similar in fund size and operating orientation to Highlander's approach with Tapatio, RMS Beauty, and SFERRA.

Broad incumbents

• CVC Capital Partners: Large global private equity firm with broad consumer and industrial portfolios — a broad incumbent in the same category as Highlander, with significantly larger fund vehicles and global reach.
• Bain Capital: Global private equity firm with a major consumer products franchise and dedicated defense/government services investing — broadly comparable to Highlander across both consumer and defense portfolio verticals, but at substantially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/highlandcapital
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/highlander-partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A22 records

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Highlander Partners