Robert Barnett

The Partner Companies has closed a $200+ million syndicated credit facility led by Huntington National Bank. This financing strengthens our foundation as we enter a new five-year growth journey, investing in advanced manufacturing capabilities to meet demand in critical industries both domestically and internationally. https://lnkd.in/gPEtxGEe #TPC #Growth #Capital #Financing #Manufacturing

121

4 Comments

Thank you, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, for presenting an extremely important panel this morning featuring FGS Global's report, "2026: A Rewired World", ably moderated by World Business Chicago board member, Darrel Hackett, BMO. Download this excellent, insightful report here: https://lnkd.in/gFReQAdm I had the following key takeaways: 1. The K-shaped economy is real, and business leaders have a responsibility to be sensitive to their stakeholders' realities in the crafting of their internal and external messages. 2. Fear and anxiety are constant companions these days, including around AI's potential effects on people's jobs. 3. Hope is ever-present, observed in interactions between neighbors. 4. Being #prochicago is more important than ever. Thank you, to the panelists: Bryan Locke, FGS Global Katie Cissel Greenway, FGS Global Megan Moore, FGS Global Michael Miranda, CFA, BMO

20

The $9.25 billion sale of Filtration Group to Parker-Hannifin has entered into a definitive agreement, valuing the innovator at more than $10 billion. Lincoln International was honored to serve as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Madison Industries, and this landmark transaction creates one of the largest global industrial filtration businesses positioned for continued growth.   Read more about this transaction: https://lnkd.in/gqpFX-Hc #industrials #transaction #investmentbanking

8

Last night, we closed Soundcore Capital Partners Fund III at $450 million — oversubscribed at the hard cap. 🚀 117 LPs. 12 countries. I am deeply grateful to every Fund III LP for the trust you placed in our team and our strategy. 11 years ago, I started Soundcore with a simple conviction: that small business owners in non‑discretionary service sectors deserved a respectful, operationally intensive partner — and that PE could be built the right way, from the ground up. There was no platform to leverage. No built‑in capital base to hire the talent this strategy demands. From the start, what existed was an unwavering conviction in the mission, a relentless work ethic, and a commitment to building this firm—step by step—into the very best in PE. Using the formula I created, we have built market‑leading platforms in highly fragmented, essential service sectors — long before it was fashionable to do so. Like any long journey, Soundcore was tested in ways I could not have anticipated. There were moments when staying the course was difficult and uncomfortable. What mattered most during those periods was resilience and integrity. Over the past several years, I spent countless hours on the road meeting with existing and prospective LPs — engaging in deep DD and thoughtful partnership discussions. The scrutiny made Soundcore better. More disciplined. More durable. At the same time, our team remained intensely focused on the portfolio and employees driving daily performance. Operationally, Fund III already reflects one of the most focused and active periods in our firm’s history: 👉 Five platforms built with over $540 million in revenue 👉 28 acquisitions completed 👉 17 acquisitions in 2025 alone — our most active year to date 👉 Meaningful expansion of our team, with deeper operational and investment expertise The LPs in Fund III were discerning and did the work. They conducted extensive DD and evaluated us based on data and firsthand reference work. We are grateful for their rigor and for their partnership mindset. We also diversified and strengthened our global LP base across public and corporate pensions, endowments, foundations, consultants, insurance companies, single family offices, fund of funds, multi-family offices, wealth managers, asset managers, and ultra-high net worth investors. We do not take that responsibility lightly. The close of Fund III is not a finish line — it is a mandate. Our focus remains singular: disciplined execution, operational value creation, and delivering performance consistent with the trust placed in us. To our LPs — thank you for your rigor, candor, and partnership. To the Soundcore team — your professionalism, resilience, and unwavering confidence in what we are building made this possible and I share this achievement with you. To my wife — thank you for the strength, patience, and support that made this journey possible. We move forward focused, proud, aligned, and accountable. Onward.

382

53 Comments

With change comes opportunity! The Comerica Bank / Fifth Third Bank merger is a timely reminder that consolidation across the banking sector continues to accelerate. As this trend plays out, middle-market companies will have fewer traditional lenders to choose from. At the same time, the banks that remain are becoming increasingly selective in the corporate loan opportunities they are willing to fund. As a result, many corporate borrowers are being pushed into the private credit markets to finance growth initiatives and acquisition strategies. The good news? Private credit is no longer a niche alternative. It has grown into a $2.5 trillion market, offering borrowers greater flexibility in structuring, increased certainty of execution, and significantly shorter underwriting timelines. The challenge is that private credit markets remain highly fragmented. Successfully navigating them requires experienced capital markets guidance. At Bankers Edge Advisory, we help corporate borrowers and transaction sponsors confidently access and navigate the private credit landscape—delivering tailored capital solutions that align with strategic objectives. And if you’re a commercial market lender impacted by industry consolidation, we want to talk to you. Apply below and let’s start a conversation! Sincerely, Richard Consul Managing Partner Bankers Edge Advisory

16

Wealth professionals looking to introduce private market investments into client portfolios are finding that client education is essential. Managing Director James Martin shares a key insight from our Global Private Wealth Survey that highlights how stronger education equips clients to confidently embrace private markets.

17

What does it take to succeed as a first-time CFO? My colleague, Matt Quinn, weighs in, and in our latest blog, Gabriel Ventura, first-time CFO of Mr. Greens Produce, shares what he learned in year one: https://lnkd.in/egxjbfUR

10

Exciting news! Nikki Storey has been appointed as the new CEO of Headwaters North, a 501(c)(3) SmartZone dedicated to fostering innovation and economic growth in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula. With over ten years of experience in spearheading workforce development and marine trades education, Nikki is set to steer Headwaters North towards a future centered around entrepreneurship, talent cultivation, and the burgeoning Blue Economy. For more details, check out the full release. #Leadership #Innovation #EconomicDevelopment

36

1 Comment

We're proud to announce that Asha Tangri Goldstein, CFP®, Partner and Wealth Advisor at Vivaldi Capital, will be speaking at the upcoming Private Wealth Midwest Forum in Chicago. As a Forbes Top Wealth Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Asha will join industry leaders on the panel "Mastering Alternative Investment Portfolio Construction." The discussion will focus on moving beyond traditional 60/40 models and leveraging private equity, private credit, and liquid alternatives to build more resilient portfolios in today's complex market environment. More details: https://lnkd.in/gnRfwBif

92

6 Comments