Permanent Capital to Preserve Your Legacy

Cayuga Lake Group partners with small business owners in transition.

As the founder of Cayuga Lake, my goal is to provide a permanent home for an exceptional small business. I aim to acquire, operate and grow the business while preserving the seller's legacy.

With an investment horizon measured in decades rather than years, I am committed to position the business for long-term success.

My Story

I grew up in Roswell, Georgia and was the first in my family to graduate from college.

My interest in buying and holding a business was born after meeting Warren Buffet in my early twenties. Inspired by his principles of patient, long-term investing, I have spent over a decade investing and developing mental models of what makes businesses succeed.

Most recently, I worked as a venture capitalist for Samsung. There, I led over 30 technology investments and helped drive the company's transformation through software and services.

Prior to Samsung, I was a stock picker at a Swiss investment bank, an investor at a Chicago-based investment fund, and a bond investor for a Fortune 500 insurance company.

Cayuga Lake is one of the Finger Lakes in central New York and holds a special significance for me. When I saw the lake's shimmering water after moving nearly 1,000 miles from home in 2006 to begin my college journey in Ithaca, NY I believed for the first time that my dreams could become a reality.

Nearly 20 years later, I now hold an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and an MBA from The University of Chicago. I founded Cayuga Lake Group to kick off my next adventure, and as a personal commitment to help business owners transition ownership.

The Cayuga Lake Team

The Warren Buffett meeting in Omaha that changed my life. Not the best photo, but look at the smile on my face!

Having considered Georgia, Colorado, New York, Illinois and Iowa "home" at various points in my life, I now live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my wife Liz, our three-year-old daughter Lucia and our Goldendoodle Sadie. They are my inspiration, and without their support, this journey wouldn't be possible. We are excited to operate a family business together in the town we'll soon call home.

Carlos Castellanos, CFA

Chief Barketing Officer

Trust

I understand the importance of the trust placed in me by business owners and work diligently to earn and maintain it

People-Focused

I prioritize the retention, well-being and growth of employees, as they are the cornerstone of any successful business.

Flexibility

Every business owner's situation is unique, and I pride myself on my personalized and flexible approach.

Transparency

I operate with honesty and transparency in all dealings. I will be open and honest from first call to closing.

My Core Values

Long-Term Thinking

I am dedicated to long-term thinking and will prioritize compounding growth over a quick exit.

Innovation

I continually seek innovative solutions to enhance business operations, fostering a culture of creativity and forward-thinking.

I am committed to preserving the legacy of the business I partner with and ensuring a seamless transition for owners as they move on to the next chapter of their lives. My guiding principle is to be a responsible steward of the company, its employees, and customers, while enabling sustainable growth and long-term value creation.

My Approach

My Criteria for Acquisition

Company

Profitable, with stable operating history of 5+ years

Recurring or repeat revenues and/or loyal customers

Preference for non-cyclical services in fragmented industries

Financial

$2m to $20m in revenue

$500k to $2m in seller earnings

Low capital expenditures

Owner Profile

Motivated and seeking to retire, reduce day-to-day involvement or transition into a new role

Looking for a full exit, or almost full (we can discuss)

What to Expect During The Process

Initial Screening: I start by understanding your business and if there is a good mutual fit, I sign an NDA to receive basic business and financial information.
Letter of Intent: If there is interest in proceeding after 1-2 calls, I prepare a Letter of Intent (LOI) that outlines price and the key terms of the transaction.
In-person Meeting: We meet in person to discuss further steps and get to know each other better.
Due Diligence: Once the LOI is agreed to, I conduct a thorough review of the company and finalize legal documentation to ensure a smooth transition.
Closing: We finalize the transaction, you can focus on your next adventure, and we fulfill our dream of running a family-owned business.

I expect an end-to-end transaction to take 60-120 days.

Get in touch with me today!

Are you a business owner thinking about transitioning? Contact me to discuss how we can work together