Oct 24, 2023
Kian Capital Partners, a lower-middle-market-focused private investment firm, announced today that Jimbo Izlar has joined the firm as a Vice President to support Kian’s expansion after the closing of its oversubscribed third fund, KGP III, earlier this year. Jimbo will be based in Atlanta and work closely with Kian partners in the investment sourcing and screening, due diligence, transaction execution and portfolio management functions of the firm.
“An integral part of Kian’s investment thesis is providing first institutional capital to founder/owner-operated businesses and working alongside their management teams to drive scale via genuine partnerships,” said Rick Cravey, Co-Founder & Partner at Kian Capital. “Jimbo brings significant experience partnering with innovative entrepreneurs and a career-long history of helping businesses navigate the complexities and nuances of what would be a first-time sponsor-led transaction to accelerate growth in a thoughtful, intentional way. We are excited to bring him on board during a significant time of growth at Kian and look forward to the value he will bring to our portfolio company management teams.”
Prior to joining Kian, Jimbo was with KLH Capital, a private equity firm focused on founder-owned businesses, where he was involved in all phases of the investment process, including transaction structuring, deal execution and portfolio company management. His primary focus at KLH was working extensively with specialty service, value-added distribution and niche manufacturing businesses across a variety of industrial end markets. Jimbo also served on the board of directors for four of KLH’s portfolio companies, working closely with management to identify and execute strategic initiatives.
“Kian’s culture is a unique and compelling combination of humility, drive and curiosity that has enabled the team to be highly successful in executing on its investment mandate,” said Jimbo. “The culture transcends the entire organization and positively impacts the firm’s key relationships with its portfolio companies and limited partners. There is deep alignment among the team, supporting one another to assess and achieve the best possible outcomes. The firm’s recent closing of KGP III with $400 million of funding is both a testament to the team’s culture and success. I am thrilled to join the team at such a pivotal time in the firm’s journey.”
Jimbo holds a B.A. in History and Economics from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a M.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.
