Introducing Colfax Creek | Private Equity for Great Lakes

After 20 years and nearly $2 billion in private investment transactions, I started Colfax Creek, private equity for Great Lakes businesses, to build the kinds of businesses I'd be proud to own forever.

Colfax Creek isn't a private equity fund. It's a long-term investor that partners with closely held businesses-especially those facing ownership transition and ready for their next chapter. We back strong teams, offer support without interference, and invest with the patience real business-building requires.

The name comes from my hometown-Colfax, Illinois-where I grew up on a corn and soybean farm. That experience shaped how I think about capital, risk, and relationships. Like farming, success in business takes the right conditions, steady hands, and time.

A Different Kind of Private Equity Buyer

Over two decades of working in private equity investing primarily in the Great Lakes, I've worked across consumer, service, and industrial sectors. I've led investments in companies with $3 to $12 million in EBITDA. I've sourced opportunities, closed deals, and worked closely with management to support long-term growth.

But I wanted to do it differently.

At Colfax Creek, there are no fund cycles, LPs, or investment committees. Just one person making decisions and investing alongside you. That means we move quickly, follow through reliably, and stay aligned-without outside pressures or short-term thinking.

What Colfax Creek looks for as a Private Equity Firm in the Great Lakes

We focus on smaller middle-market companies that:

• Are headquartered within a drive of Detroit-MI, IL, IN, OH, PA, or WI
• Generate $2-4 million of EBITDA, with 10%+ cash flow margins
• Operate in manufacturing, business services, or consumer sectors
• Have leadership teams we can support-or a plan for transition
• Value long-term thinking, integrity, and transparency

We're control or shared-control investors who align with sellers and managers. We don't run the companies we back-but we bring experience, structure, and a playbook that works.

Selected Past Experience in Private Equity

Here are some Great Lakes businesses I worked with in private equity before founding Colfax Creek:

• ACE Bakery - Artisan breads sold across North America
• Moosejaw - Outdoor gear retailer with strong e-commerce growth
• Encore Rehabilitation - Therapy services provider for senior care and home health
• Fusion Education Group - Private schools offering 1:1 instruction

Each was different, but the common thread was clear: strong teams, focused execution, and a commitment to building over time.

The Right Fit Matters to Colfax Creek

We're selective-not because we want the biggest deal, but because we're committing more than capital. At Colfax Creek, we invest our time, reputation, and energy. That only works when we're aligned on values and vision.

If you're thinking about the future of your business-whether that means succession, growth, or simply stepping back-we'd be glad to talk. No pressure. Just a straightforward conversation.

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Jason Duzan
Managing Partner, Colfax Creek
www.colfaxcreek.com | [email protected]