Mesa Capital Partners form Growth Capital Fund
November 16, 2005
Oklahoma City – Mesa Capital Partners Oklahoma today announced they have closed funding for Mesa Oklahoma Growth Fund I, L.P. The newly formed Oklahoma Limited Partnership is organized for the purpose of making capital investments in Oklahoma based growth companies. Mesa Capital Partners Oklahoma, L.L.C. is the General Partner of the fund and is managed by Gregory J. Edwards, W. Douglas Frans and Moritz P.Schlenzig, through their operating company, Mesa Capital Management Oklahoma, L.L.C. Total initial funding commitment for the partnership is $12 million, which is being invested by twenty-one prominent Oklahoma City and Tulsa investors, including the Oklahoma Capital Investment Board.
“Oklahoma needs this type of equity partnership providing venture capital to promising industries,” said Gregory J. Edwards. “We believe we have the expertise to be successful with this fund and we are gratified that our investors feel the same way. We are especially appreciative of the initial help and encouragement we received from the Oklahoma Capital Investment Board who made an early commitment to us for $3 million.”
OCIB served as the lead investor on this project which helped give Mesa the momentum it needed to raise the additional funds. “Mesa Capital represents local talent that is looking to invest locally,” said Devon Sauzek, Investment Board President. “Mesa has a good strategy for locating Oklahoma companies positioned for growth. The Mesa Principals have a solid history of creating value within companies they have managed or supported.”
Sauzek says OCIB’s participation with the Mesa Capital project is a perfect example of OCIB’s mission to support the growth of the venture capital industry in Oklahoma. As a result, Oklahoma companies that are growing and in need of equity capital have a new resource today in Mesa.
“We believe there is a compelling investment opportunity with small and emerging businesses in Oklahoma,” said Douglas Frans, General Partner of Mesa. “We are not limiting investment opportunities for the Fund to a few target industries. There is an underserved market for smaller companies, particularly in Oklahoma, which generally fail to receive proper attention from larger venture funds. Our management team also has the expertise to assist entrepreneurs in leveraged and management buy outs.”
The formation of Mesa Capital Partners Oklahoma follows a similar strategy to that of the New Mexico Growth Fund I, L.P., based in Santa Fe, and formed by Mesa Capital Partners in which Mr.Schlenzig is a General Partner. “Our investment model has three principal themes:
Regional leadership, focus on underserved markets and emphasis on a structured investment process,” said Moritz Schlenzig. “Both Greg and Doug have extensive contacts and experience dealing with Oklahoma business in a variety of industries. We are very excited about the establishment of this fund and are looking forward to partnering with entrepreneurs in Oklahoma.”
About Mesa Capital Partners
Mesa Capital Partners Oklahoma is an Oklahoma City based early-stage private equity firm which invests in small businesses with high growth potential in industries and geographic areas which are underserved by other capital providers.
About OCIB
The Oklahoma Capital Investment Board is the State of Oklahoma’s institution for building the private venture capital industry in Oklahoma. Since 1993 the Board has supported investment in sixteen venture capital funds, which in turn have attracted investment of over $100 million to Oklahoma projects. In addition, the board has supported over $38 million in development loans to over 1300 small Oklahoma companies.
Contacts:
Gregory J Edwards
W. Douglas Frans
(405) 755-8448