We welcome introductory conversations whether you are a business broker with an active listing, an advisor representing an owner-operator, or a founder planning a succession strategy.
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Schedule a confidential discussion with our managing director at Mike@21stAvenueCapital.com
Our Investment Thesis
Partner With Us
Strategic Growth | Enduring Value | Community Impact
21st Avenue Capital is an independent acquisition vehicle formed by a Vanderbilt Executive MBA candidate seeking to purchase a high-quality, long-standing business in Middle Tennessee.
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We are focused on profitable, resilient businesses in the range of $1M - $1.5M enterprise value, with a focus on established B2B and specialty commercial service providers that serve as vital infrastructure for their regional markets.Â
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How We Drive Value
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Smooth Operational Transition: We preserve existing staff and support existing or install a full-time General Manager to run operations effectively on Day 1.
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Strategic Committee Governance: Our Sponsors act as a hybrid between a Board of Directors and strategic consulting team, focused on margin expansion, backend modernization, and growth projects.
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Reinvestment in Growth: 100% of post-debt cash flows are retained and reinvested in the business during initial years to strengthen the balance sheet and drive long-term value creation.
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We offer flexible exit structures, including equity rollovers and structured seller notes, aligning our long-term interests with the founder's legacy.
Our Core Values
When beloved local businesses are ready to sell, and a suitable buyer can't be found, the Tennessee community loses out - 21st Avenue Capital was formed to combat this.
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Strategic Growth
We target operational modernization and creative business development to unlock new revenue streams, optimize margins, and sustainably scale business cash flows.
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Enduring Value
We do not flip businesses. We are long-term stewards that prioritize organic growth, job preservation, and operational excellence. Our focus is on acquiring established, resilient market leaders with proven operating histories, protecting their competitive moats and compounding enterprise value for short- and long-term success.
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Community Impact
We aim to preserve essential local jobs and meaningful businesses in Middle Tennessee by reinvesting profits into the people, infrastructure, and regional economies that sustain our operation.
Leadership
Our management team leads with precision, a deep focus on disciplined growth, and a firm commitment to Middle Tennessee.
Mike Barkan
Managing Director
Mike is a growth-focused strategist who crosses strong engineering fundamentals with a focus on operational efficiency to drive disciplined execution. A Vanderbilt University double alumnus (B.E. Chemical Engineering and Executive MBA candidate), he brings expertise in cross-functional leadership, complex system analysis, and long-term capital allocation.  Mike's strength lies in translating operational capabilities into sustainable business performance, margin expansion, and enterprise value growth.
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Mike is supported by an ecosystem of advisors, industry mentors, classmates, and academic networks affiliated with Vanderbilt's Center for Entrepreneurship.