WAUSAU — A new central Wisconsin private equity firm launches with a unique mission to build not only investor wealth, but stronger local businesses and communities.
Wisconsin River Partners, a private equity independent sponsor, aims to attract like-minded, mission-focused investors to acquire, hold and develop mid-market companies in central and northern Wisconsin. WRP founders designed the entity with a long-term local investment strategy to grow acquired companies’ revenues and build investor wealth.
Kevin Kraft, a Wausau manufacturing and financial services veteran, and Jim Frings, a seasoned executive in the manufacturing, real estate and technology sectors, founded WRP.
“Jim and I have been in the trenches as owners and operators of family and closely held businesses,” said Kraft, WRP’s managing director in a news release. “As fewer businesses are being passed down to the next generation, more owners are faced with the difficult decision of how to sell their business and retire.”
WRP will provide business owners with a customized approach to selling their business, with operational and strategic support from Kraft and Frings. Each of WRP’s portfolio companies will have an advisory board, including both partners and additional investors with industry experience. WRP will provide regular reporting of financial and operating performance to investors as part of its transparent governance charter.
“Our investor network is mixed, but we primarily work with high-net-worth individuals who are looking to invest in a good deal but want to do good for the local economy at the same time,” Kraft said in the release. “These are higher-risk investments and only individuals with a higher-risk tolerance should consider these types of investments. Other investor types include family offices, foundations and institutions.”
For more information, visit WISRP.com or call 715-841-0084.
