C3 Capital Partners
C3 Capital, LLC is a Kansas City-based SBIC-licensed mezzanine investment firm that provides $3-15 million of subordinated debt and preferred equity to established U.S. lower middle market companies with at least $2 million in EBITDA for growth, acquisitions, and ownership transitions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersKansas City, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What C3 Capital Partners does
C3 Capital, LLC is an SBIC-licensed mezzanine investment firm headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1994 as an independent sponsor (originally operating as C3Holdings), the firm formally began investment operations in 2003 with the raise of its first SBIC fund and has since deployed over $500 million of capital into more than 88 portfolio companies across three SBIC-licensed funds with combined assets exceeding $400 million. It provides subordinated debt and preferred equity of $3-15 million per transaction to established lower middle market companies with at least $2 million in EBITDA, targeting growth capital, strategic acquisitions, ownership transitions, and recapitalizations in chemicals, consumer products, business services, distribution, and niche manufacturing across the United States.
The firm's revenue mechanics combine 10-14% per annum interest or dividends on invested capital, 2-3% closing fees at investment, and equity/warrant returns realized at exit. Principals co-invest at least 20% in each fund, and the firm operates without a controlling-interest posture, generally taking board seats or observation rights to provide strategic and financial guidance alongside capital. Origination is relationship-driven through private equity sponsors, intermediaries, and portfolio company referrals rather than through external marketing.
The firm's investment period has ended and it is no longer originating new investments, with prospective partners redirected to www.cpc.llc. The co-founder roster includes Patrick Healy, Robert Smith, and Steven Swartzman as active partners; co-founder D. Patrick Curran passed away on 10.11.2024. The firm is therefore operating in a portfolio-management and harvest mode rather than an active growth posture.
C3 Capital Partners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- C3 Capital Partners
- Legal name
- C3 Capital, LLC
- Website
- https://c3cap.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- C3 Capital, LLC is a Kansas City-based SBIC-licensed mezzanine investment firm that provides $3-15 million of subordinated debt and preferred equity to established U.S. lower middle market companies with at least $2 million in EBITDA for growth, acquisitions, and ownership transitions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
C3 Capital Partners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mezzanine Financing
- NAICS
- International, Secondary Market, and All Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation (522299), Other Financial Investment Activities (5239)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mezzanine / Subordinated Debt (FSANADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Middle-Market Lending (FSANADAI)
Keywords
Where C3 Capital Partners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kansas City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
C3 Capital Partners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Interest and Dividend Income: C3 Capital earns 10-14% p.a. in interest or dividends from their subordinated debt and preferred equity investments. This represents the primary recurring revenue stream from their portfolio companies over the investment term, which is generally within 5 years for debt repayment but may extend longer for equity positions.
- Closing Fees: C3 Capital charges a 2-3% closing fee on invested capital at the time of investment, plus out-of-pocket expenses. This is a one-time fee collected at deal close.
- Equity/Warrant Returns: C3 Capital generally receives granted equity or detachable warrants with a put option as part of their investment structure. Returns from equity positions are realized upon exit through sale of the portfolio company.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Interest/Dividend Yield |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Closing Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Investment Transaction Size |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
C3 Capital Partners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
C3 Capital provides mezzanine financing — subordinated debt and preferred equity — in the $3-15 million range per transaction to established lower middle market U.S. businesses with EBITDA of at least $2 million. Targeted industries include chemicals, consumer products, business services, distribution, and niche manufacturing, with capital deployed for growth, strategic acquisitions, ownership transitions, and recapitalizations. The firm charges a 2-3% closing fee at deal close and earns 10-14% per annum in interest or dividends, generally receiving equity or detachable warrants as part of the structure.
Product overview
C3 Capital Partners is a mezzanine lending and investment firm that provides subordinated debt and preferred equity financing to established small businesses. The company offers investment capital in the $3-15 million range per company, focusing on growth capital, strategic acquisitions, ownership transitions, and recapitalizations. As an SBIC-licensed mezzanine lender, C3 operates as a financial services company rather than a technology product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SBIC-Licensed Mezzanine Financing Subordinated debt and preferred equity financing of $3-15 million per transaction provided to established lower middle market U.S. companies with at least $2.0 million EBITDA, structured with a 2-3% closing fee, 10-14% per annum interest or dividend yield, and detachable warrants or equity participation. Deployed across chemicals, consumer products, business services, distribution, and niche manufacturing for growth capital, strategic acquisitions, ownership transitions, and recapitalizations.
Companies that use C3 Capital Partners
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
C3 Capital Partners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
C3 Capital Partners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights3 records
C3 Capital Partners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Horizon Technology Finance: SBIC-licensed specialty finance company originating structured debt to development-stage and lower middle market technology and life sciences companies, similar regulatory status and direct-lending model.
- Trinity Capital: SBIC-licensed specialty finance company providing debt and equipment financing to growth-stage and lower middle market companies, overlapping with C3's lower middle market mezzanine mandate.
- Main Street Capital: Publicly traded BDC focused on lower middle market debt and equity investments, often as the sole or lead investor with structures similar to C3's mezzanine approach. Directly comparable in size band, target EBITDA, and check size.
- Gladstone Investment: Publicly traded BDC making debt and equity investments in lower middle market U.S. businesses, often with structured preferred equity and subordinated debt terms analogous to C3's mezzanine investments.
- Saratoga Investment Corp: SBIC-licensed BDC focused on leveraged loans and mezzanine debt to U.S. middle market companies, with comparable check size, sponsor relationships, and target customer profile.
- Stellus Capital Investment: SBIC-licensed BDC providing first lien, unitranche, and mezzanine financing to private U.S. middle market companies, directly comparable in product mix and target borrower.
- Capitala Group: Private capital provider focused on lower middle market debt and equity investments to U.S. businesses, overlapping with C3's subordinated debt and growth capital strategy.
- White Oak Global Advisors: Private direct lending platform providing senior and unitranche debt to lower middle market U.S. companies; competes with SBIC mezzanine lenders like C3 by collapsing the capital stack.
- PennantPark Floating Rate Capital: Publicly traded BDC that provides senior secured loans and selectively mezzanine debt to middle market companies, with similar check sizes and direct origination model.
Broad incumbents
- Ares Capital: Largest publicly traded BDC providing senior, mezzanine, and equity financing to U.S. middle market companies. While larger, it competes for many of the same sponsors and borrowers C3 targets and has pushed downstream into lower middle market deals.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
C3 Capital Partners social profiles
Digital presenceC3 Capital Partners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
C3 Capital Partners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
C3 Capital Partners subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
C3 Capital Partners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
C3 Capital Partners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about C3 Capital Partners
What does C3 Capital Partners do?
C3 Capital provides mezzanine financing — subordinated debt and preferred equity — in the $3-15 million range per transaction to established lower middle market U.S. businesses with EBITDA of at least $2 million. Targeted industries include chemicals, consumer products, business services, distribution, and niche manufacturing, with capital deployed for growth, strategic acquisitions, ownership transitions, and recapitalizations. The firm charges a 2-3% closing fee at deal close and earns 10-14% per annum in interest or dividends, generally receiving equity or detachable warrants as part of the structure.
Is C3 Capital Partners a public or private company?
C3 Capital Partners is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was C3 Capital Partners founded?
C3 Capital Partners was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is C3 Capital Partners based?
C3 Capital Partners is headquartered in Kansas City, United States, in the North America region.
How does C3 Capital Partners make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Interest and Dividend Income is the primary driver. The others are closing Fees and equity/Warrant Returns.
Who are C3 Capital Partners's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Horizon Technology Finance, Trinity Capital, Main Street Capital, Gladstone Investment, Saratoga Investment Corp, Stellus Capital Investment, Capitala Group, White Oak Global Advisors and PennantPark Floating Rate Capital. Ares Capital is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does C3 Capital Partners have an API?
No public API is recorded for C3 Capital Partners.
What industry is C3 Capital Partners in?
C3 Capital Partners's product category is Mezzanine Financing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANADAC, Mezzanine / Subordinated Debt, with a secondary code of FSANADAI, Middle-Market Lending. Its NAICS code is 522299 and its SIC code is 6159.