The Edelweiss flower thrives in the harshest alpine conditions, growing in rocky, windswept terrain where few others can survive.
We believe that the best businesses are built when decisions for customers, employees, and communities are made with a forever-mindset - not a 3-to-5-year flip
Our Values
People First
The most valuable assets in any business are people and relationships (John Malone). We create opportunities for employees through growth and new career options.
Long Term Mindset
With a timeframe measured in decades, we make investments in our people and operations that others cannot to increase our odds of long-term success
Excellence
We commit to excellence by doing the work the right way, every day. Progress, not perfection, is what will move our people and our business forward.
What we look for
Business Model: Mission critical business with some level of repeat or recurring revenue profile from a loyal customer base
Location: United States
Size: $0.5M to $7M in annual earnings or EBITDA (ideal range is $1M to $5M)
Business Performance: Stable, profitable operating businesses
Priority Industry Verticals:
Commercial ServicesEnergy ServicesLight Manufacturing
Transaction Type: Control Buyout (including carveout and divestitures)
The Edelweiss Team
Christian (CJ) Jacobs
Owner & Principal
I founded Edelweiss to create my life’s work - to build a truly great business over a long period of time.
I have spent my career investing in and building lower middle market businesses in a wide range of industries and have experience in execution of both acquisitions and operating initiatives.
My passion lies in working with teams, creating opportunities for others, and finding ways to win no matter the environment.
I have a BBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish).
More than anything, I am grateful to be supported by a strong network of advisors, investors, and friends who have built incredible businesses.
Mychal Manolatos - Advisor
Mychal led SOLitude Lake Management from $50M to over $130M in 5 years, leading more than 700 employees in a route-based service business. Now, Mychal leads MPD Pool Holdings, a pool service platform across the US with over $22M in revenue, as President & CEO.
Hannah Cohen - Advisor
Hannah is the CEO of Aspen Pediatrics, a leading pediatric healthcare business in Maryland with seven locations, over 150 employees, and more than 30,000 patients. Hannah founded Aspen beginning with a single acquisition in late 2022 and built Aspen to $25M in revenue in 3 years.
Jay Davis - Advisor
As Co-Founder of The Nashton Company, Jay has invested in and helped build over 150 lower middle market businesses. Prior to this, Jay served as Co-CEO of Vector Disease Control International, growing the business at a 43% CAGR and completing 14 acquisitions in 7 years.
Dan Drexler - Advisor
Dan is Executive Vice President of Longview Asset Management, an in-house investment arm for the Crown family of Chicago. He is a former Board Member and Director of Operations for Quality Products, Inc., a privately-held industrial holding company that grew from $12 million to $50 million during his tenure as major shareholder
Jay Jacobs - Advisor
Jay is the former President of PIMCO, the global investment management firm. He presently serves as Chairman of Commercial Trust Company and Managing Director of CTC’s Family Office division. Additionally, he is a Trustee and Chair of the Finance Committee of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
what makes Edelweiss different
Boots on the ground
Business ownership is not passive. We provide operational leadership and support with an in-person, boots-on-the-ground approach, allowing founders to step away or just focus on the responsibilities they love.
Opportunistic
We see value where others cannot and will evaluate all businesses with an open mind.
Independent Decisions
Backed by a small group of family offices, we have no exit timeline and have full control over our operational and investment decisions.
Legacy preservation
Private equity and institutions acquire businesses to standardize and flip them. We acquire to build upon your legacy, preserving what made it special in the first place.
