Top 8 Private Equity Firms In San Diego

San Diego, renowned for its vibrant economy and innovative spirit, has become a hub for some of the most influential private equity firms in the United States. These firms play a pivotal role in driving business growth, fostering sustainable development, and nurturing companies across diverse sectors such as technology, healthcare, and real estate. If you’re a business owner or investor aiming to collaborate with a private equity firm in San Diego, understanding their landscape is essential.

This article explores the top private equity firms in San Diego, shedding light on their investment focus, portfolio highlights, and their significant contributions to both the local and national business ecosystem.

Private equity firms in San Diego stand out for their diverse investment strategies and their close collaboration with management teams to unlock growth opportunities. From growth equity investments to control investments in mission-critical services, these firms offer extensive experience and capital.

Whether your goal is to expand your market presence, enhance technology offerings, or optimize operations, there’s a private equity firm in San Diego equipped to help you achieve success.

In the following sections, we’ll spotlight eight leading private equity firms in San Diego, highlighting their unique strengths, investment approaches, and the transformative impact they have on the local business landscape.

1. H.I.G. Capital

Overview and Key Investments

Although H.I.G. Capital is not headquartered in San Diego, its significant presence and influence in the private equity landscape make it a notable mention.

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Miami, FL, H.I.G. Capital is a global alternative investment firm with a substantial footprint in various markets, including the West Coast.

H.I.G. Capital manages over $70 billion in assets and has completed more than 2,500 transactions. The firm’s diverse investment strategies include private equity, growth equity, direct lending, special situations credit, real estate, infrastructure, and growth-stage healthcare.

This broad range of investment focus allows H.I.G. Capital to cater to a wide array of businesses and industries.

The firm’s private equity portfolio consists of over 400 leading companies, where they partner closely with founders and management teams to drive operational improvements and establish market-leading positions.

H.I.G. Capital’s team of more than 500 seasoned investment professionals brings substantial operating, strategic, and financial management experience to all their investments. This expertise is essential in helping portfolio companies achieve sustainable growth and success.

While H.I.G. Capital does not have a primary office in San Diego, its global reach and extensive network ensure that it remains a significant player in the private equity sector, influencing businesses across the United States, including those in the San Diego area.

2. JMI Equity

Growth Equity for Software Companies

JMI Equity, founded in 1992, is a leading growth equity firm with a significant presence in San Diego, as well as offices in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The firm specializes in supporting exceptional software companies through strategic investments, advisory services, team-building initiatives, and proven value creation strategies.

Focused exclusively on the software sector, JMI Equity leverages its extensive experience and has raised over $8 billion in committed capital since its inception. Its investment approach emphasizes maximizing growth momentum while minimizing risk, empowering businesses to achieve industry leadership.

Through capital investments, strategic guidance, and team-building support, JMI Equity helps its portfolio companies generate substantial shareholder value.

The firm boasts a team of over 40 investment professionals who work collaboratively across its offices to identify and nurture high-growth software companies. In San Diego, JMI Equity is led by seasoned partners such as Brian Hersman, who bring deep expertise and a robust network within the software industry.

JMI Equity’s portfolio features a diverse array of software companies, each selected for their strong market positioning and product fundamentals. Beyond financial backing, the firm actively partners with management teams to implement operational improvements and drive strategic growth initiatives.

This hands-on approach has been a key factor in the success of numerous software companies under JMI Equity’s guidance.

3. Gryphon Investors

Diverse Portfolio and Strategic Growth Initiatives

Founded in 1995 and headquartered in San Francisco, Gryphon Investors is a leading middle-market private equity firm with a notable presence in San Diego. The firm is renowned for its thesis-driven, proactive sector initiatives that focus on identifying high-value, high-potential companies across various industries.

Gryphon’s diverse portfolio includes companies such as Shermco Industries, which provides electrical testing and maintenance services; LEARN Behavioral, a provider of autism treatment services; and Repipe Specialists, experts in home repiping services. These investments span multiple sectors including business services, consumer, healthcare, and industrial growth, showcasing the firm’s broad investment scope.

The firm’s approach to growth emphasizes forming strong partnerships with existing management teams. Gryphon typically invests between $50 million to $300 million in companies with enterprise values ranging from approximately $100 million to $600 million. This strategy is bolstered by the firm’s specialized professional resources and operational expertise, which help enhance the competitive position of its portfolio companies.

Under the leadership of David Andrews, Founder and CEO, Gryphon Investors has developed a robust framework for driving growth through operational improvements and strategic initiatives. The firm’s team, comprising over 50 investment professionals, collaborates closely with management teams to accelerate growth and drive value creation.

This collaborative approach has led to successful exits of companies like Milani Cosmetics and RegEd, as well as recent acquisitions such as Metagenics and Vivify Specialty Ingredients.

With its presence in San Diego, headquarters in San Francisco, and additional offices in Los Angeles, Gryphon Investors is well-positioned to engage with and support businesses across the West Coast. This regional presence, combined with its national reach, solidifies Gryphon’s role as a significant player in the private equity landscape of San Diego and beyond.

4. Housatonic Partner

Long-term Investment Philosophy

Housatonic Partners, founded in 1994 and based in San Francisco, is renowned for its long-term investment philosophy and commitment to building lasting relationships with business leaders. With over $1.5 billion in capital under management, the firm has a proven track record of supporting management teams through various stages of growth and challenges.

Known for its patient approach, Housatonic Partners maintains an average hold period of over 7 years, with 65% of their investments remaining in the portfolio for more than 5 years. This long-term perspective enables the firm to provide stable and consistent support, which is essential for the sustainable growth of its portfolio companies.

The firm’s partners collectively bring over 120 years of private equity experience, a vital asset for navigating both favorable and challenging market conditions.

Housatonic’s investment strategy focuses on high-growth, recurring revenue service companies across various sectors, including healthcare, software, tech-enabled business services, education, financial services, and media and communications. They seek equity investments ranging from $10 to $50 million, enabling them to make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of their portfolio companies.

The firm’s approach is centered on forming strong, long-term relationships with entrepreneurs, CEOs, and management teams. A noteworthy indicator of their success is that 40% of the CEOs backed by Housatonic have repeated as Housatonic CEOs or invested in their funds. This highlights the trust and value these partnerships bring. Such a collaborative and supportive environment is key to the firm’s ability to help companies redefine their categories and become industry leaders.

Testimonials from various CEOs and founders who have partnered with Housatonic emphasize the firm’s dedication to providing guidance, stability, and a positive presence throughout the investment journey. This long-term investment philosophy, combined with the firm’s deep network of seasoned executives and thought leaders, makes Housatonic Partners a valuable partner for businesses aiming for sustained growth and success.

5. Valor Equity Partne

Innovative Investments in High-Growth Potentials

Valor Equity Partners, founded in 1995 by Antonio Gracias, is a distinguished private equity firm with a strong presence in San Diego, alongside offices in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. The firm is renowned for its innovative approach to investing in high-growth companies, particularly those in technology-enabled industries.

The firm’s investment strategy emphasizes operational growth, where they collaborate closely with management teams to drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and facilitate expansion. Valor Equity Partners invests across various growth stages, from early-stage ventures to more mature businesses, focusing on sectors such as biosciences, transportation, food, and health and wellness.

This diverse investment approach enables Valor to support companies that are making significant impacts on people’s lives and the world at large.

Valor’s portfolio showcases its success in identifying and nurturing high-growth potentials. Notable investments include SpaceX, Tesla, and Addepar, demonstrating the firm’s ability to back companies that are leaders in their respective industries. Recent investments in companies like Amp Robotics and GoPuff further highlight Valor’s commitment to innovative and disruptive technologies.

Under the leadership of Antonio Gracias, who serves as the Founder, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer, Valor Equity Partners has developed a unique operational style that sets it apart. Gracias’s extensive experience, including his tenure as a Director of Tesla from 2007 to 2021, brings invaluable insights and expertise to the firm’s investment decisions. The firm’s team of over 30 investment professionals works collaboratively to identify and support high-growth companies, leveraging their deep expertise in sectors such as consumer goods, infrastructure, and industrial services.

Valor Equity Partners’ commitment to operational excellence and its robust internal research function enable it to develop strategic and operational plans that accelerate the growth of its portfolio companies. This proactive and collaborative approach has made Valor a preferred partner for entrepreneurs and management teams aiming to transform their industries and achieve significant growth.

6. TA Associates

Global Reach, Local Impact

TA Associates, founded in 1968 by Peter Brooke, is a global private equity firm renowned for its expertise in scaling growth for profitable companies. While headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the firm boasts a significant global presence with offices in Menlo Park, Austin, London, Mumbai, and Hong Kong.

This extensive network allows TA Associates to make a profound impact both globally and locally, including in the San Diego business community.

Over the years, TA Associates has invested in more than 560 companies across five key sectors: technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer products, and business services. Leveraging deep industry expertise and strategic resources, the firm collaborates with management teams worldwide to help high-quality companies deliver lasting value. With $65 billion in capital raised to date, TA Associates has the financial strength to support a wide range of growth initiatives.

The firm’s investment approach emphasizes collaborative partnerships with management teams. It leads buyouts and minority recapitalizations, focusing on companies with differentiated and resilient business models.

This strategy has enabled TA Associates to build a portfolio of industry-leading companies. For example, its involvement with Solabia, a leading biotech ingredients manufacturer, and Cliffwater, a specialist in alternative investment solutions, showcases the firm’s ability to drive growth and expansion.

Under the leadership of Ajit Nedungadi, who became CEO in 2021, and Brian J. Conway, the Chairman, TA Associates fosters a culture of teamwork and innovation. With over 150 investment professionals across its global offices, the firm ensures that local businesses benefit from its global expertise and resources.

This unique blend of global reach and local impact positions TA Associates as a valuable partner for businesses in San Diego and beyond.

TA Associates’ commitment to excellence is further highlighted by its recent accolades, including being named ‘Mid-Market Firm of the Year in the Americas‘ by Private Equity International in March 2025. This recognition underscores the firm’s consistent performance and its role as a trusted partner for businesses seeking accelerated growth.

7. Genstar Capital

Sector-Focused Investment Strategy

Genstar Capital, founded in 1988, is a private equity firm renowned for its sector-focused investment strategy, which has been a cornerstone of its success. Headquartered in San Francisco, Genstar Capital has built a reputation for its deep immersion in specific industries, allowing it to drive transformational change in its portfolio companies.

Genstar Capital concentrates its investments in four core sectors: financial services, software, healthcare, and industrial technology. This vertical focus enables the firm to leverage its extensive network of sector specialists, including 40 experts within the Genstar family.

This expertise is essential in identifying high-quality businesses with long-term growth potential and in implementing strategies to enhance their performance.

The firm’s investment approach is highly collaborative, involving both financial and operational experts to support the vision of its management teams. Genstar’s Strategic Advisory Board (SAB), composed of influential senior executives from major companies, plays a significant role in shaping the firm’s investment strategy and assisting with portfolio companies from initial diligence to post-investment value creation.

Members of the SAB often sit on the boards of portfolio companies, serving as an extension of the Genstar investment team.

Genstar Capital targets businesses that can be transformed into industry leaders through a focus on human capital, strategic acquisitions, and operational improvements. The firm’s investment staff, including 25 professionals, and the additional support from the SAB, participate in regular offsite strategy meetings to review industry trends and consider new secular themes.

This proactive and sector-focused approach allows Genstar to navigate shifts in secular and macroeconomic trends effectively.

With over $19 billion in assets under management since its inception, Genstar Capital has demonstrated its ability to identify and grow high-potential companies. The firm’s commitment to quality businesses in stable industries, combined with its operational expertise, makes it a valuable partner for companies seeking to accelerate their growth and achieve market leadership.

8. ValueStreet Equity Partners

Small to Mid-market Focus in San Diego

ValueStreet Equity Partners, founded in January 2019 by Jim Moran, is a family office private equity firm based in San Diego, California. The firm specializes in long-term investments in small to mid-sized businesses, particularly those with annual earnings of up to $2 million. This targeted focus enables ValueStreet to provide tailored support and capital solutions to businesses that might otherwise be overlooked by larger private equity firms.

ValueStreet’s investment philosophy emphasizes partnering with founders and managers to ensure a smooth transition during critical business milestones, such as full buyouts, partial buyouts, management buyouts, and recapitalizations. Their approach is defined by its flexibility and commitment to the long-term success of portfolio companies.

By sourcing investment capital exclusively from family members, employees, and advisors, ValueStreet maintains an independent strategy that prioritizes the best interests of each business over short-term financial gains.

The firm offers a comprehensive suite of support services beyond financial capital. These services include tax and legal advice, SEO and digital marketing, sales consulting, project planning, staffing and recruiting, and HR compliance.

ValueStreet’s holistic support is powered by a team with a rich background in entrepreneurship, management consulting, and military leadership. This diverse expertise allows the firm to provide significant value to portfolio companies, helping them overcome challenges and seize growth opportunities.

Actively engaged in the small business private equity community, including the search fund ecosystem, ValueStreet leverages its growing network of investors and business owners to identify and support high-potential small businesses across the Western United States.

By focusing on businesses that offer vital products and services with loyal customer bases, ValueStreet ensures its investments are in companies with a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

The firm’s local presence in San Diego allows it to maintain close relationships with the management teams of its portfolio companies. Examples include San Diego’s largest pool service and repair company and a leading boat and yacht repair company. This proximity and hands-on approach are central to ValueStreet’s success in fostering the growth of small to mid-sized businesses in the region.

Conclusion

In conclusion, San Diego is a vibrant hub for private equity firms, each offering unique strengths and investment strategies. From H.I.G. Capital’s global reach to JMI Equity’s focus on software companies, and from Gryphon Investors’ diverse portfolio to Genstar Capital’s sector-focused approach, these firms provide a range of opportunities for businesses seeking growth and transformation.

Valor Equity Partners’ innovative investments, TA Associates’ global expertise, and ValueStreet Equity Partners’ focus on small to mid-sized businesses all contribute to a dynamic private equity landscape in San Diego. Whether you are a business owner or an investor, understanding these top private equity firms can help you make informed decisions and drive sustainable growth.

Take the next step by exploring these firms further and leveraging their expertise to propel your business forward.