Sharp Capital Group
Entrepreneurs growing enduring Canadian businesses for the long term
About Us
Sharp Capital Group is a Canadian enterprise backed by a small group of successful business owners, operators, and executives. Our unique structure allows us to customize transactions according to your (and your business') needs, align ourselves long-term with the business, and add considerable expertise and growth capital to continue and expand upon the legacy you've built.
We seek to make majority equity investments (51-100%) in healthy and profitable Canadian businesses. We are not interested in start-ups or turnarounds. We are open to, and in fact encourage, offering equity participation to existing management teams.
Managing Director Michael Sharp will partner with and support existing management teams, allowing you to realize liquidity while transitioning operating responsibility to an entrepreneur intent on protecting and building upon the legacy you created. We will work to ensure your business - employees, customers, and suppliers - continues to thrive.
Investment Criteria
Sharp Capital Group is looking to acquire a business with some of the criteria described below. Of course, every business is different, and very few will exhibit all of the characteristics shown here. However, these criteria help guide our decision-making.
We are always interested in great businesses for sale that are represented by brokers and other intermediaries.
Financial
$5-25M annual revenue
$1-4M annual cash flow
5+ years of positive cash flow
Business
Diverse customer base
Strong base of recurring revenue
Strong management team
Headquartered in Canada
Industry
Healthcare
Business Services
Industrial Services
Light Manufacturing
How we differ
Long term partners building long term value
You've spent your life building your business into something that now has value to not only you, but to your customers, your employees, your suppliers, and your communities. Because you've built something valuable, you have options available as you think about your next stage. Below are some of the ways we differ.
Your Business
+ SCG: Our core focus
- Private Equity: One company in a large portfolio
- Competitors: One piece of a larger pie
Source of Capital
+ SCG: Successful entrepreneurs and business leaders
- Private Equity: Institutions, endowments, pension funds
- Competitors: Public and/or private investors
Objectives
+ SCG: Grow long term sustainable value
- Private Equity: Cut costs, add debt, flip company
- Competitors: Realize cost "synergies" by cutting headcount
Time Horizon
+ SCG: Long-term. We plan to own and grow your business indefinitely
- Private Equity: 3 to 5 years
- Competitors: Varies
Our Team
Michael Sharp
Principal & Managing Partner
Michael founded Sharp Capital Group to invest in Canadian small business, providing Canadian business owners with a custom-tailored exit option. Prior to SCG, Michael partnered with management to grow some of Canada's leading businesses as a management consultant for The Boston Consulting Group in Toronto. Michael has worked extensively with top management in Canada's Healthcare, Financial Services, Consumer Goods, and Retail industries to grow revenue and increase profitability.
Michael is originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and now resides in Toronto with his wife Hilary and dog Harry. Michael is an active member of the community, focusing on youth education and development through extensive involvement with Right to Play, Pathways to Education and Camp Oochigeas. Michael holds an HBA from Ivey School of Business at Western University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.