A MIDWEST-BASED PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM

 

Who we are

Villhard Growth Partners (VGP) is a St. Louis-based private equity firm that invests in Midwest-based businesses. Our venture capital division invests in very young companies that typically have a connection to Washington University and/or St. Louis and have the potential for explosive growth. Our buyout division invests in mature, high-cash flow companies, typically in partnership with entrepreneurial founders or owner-managers.

VGP was founded in 2005 by brothers Doug and Pete Villhard. Over investment careers spanning two decades, Doug and Pete have started or invested in over 20 unique platform companies ranging from seed-stage startups to buyout platforms with over $1 billion in annual revenues.

VGP is organized as a family office, but for larger deals, we invest alongside other family offices and leading private equity institutions.

What we do

INVEST

We invest in great companies and teams with strong upside potential.

PARTNER

In partnership with the management team, we provide tactical support and value.

GROW

Together we focus on sustainable initiatives to grow the value of the company.

What types of investments

  • Venture Capital Investments

    • Large total addressable market opportunity

    • Differentiated business model

    • Aggressive, dynamic founding team

    • Connection to the St. Louis Region and/or Washington University

  • Late-State Buyout Investments

    • $15+ million revenue; $3+ million EBITDA

    • Positive growth end-markets

    • Founder-led or partnership with management

    • Industry focus: healthcare & business services; high-gross margin distribution and manufacturing

How can we help?

  • Deal structuring/support

  • Leadership transitions

  • Strategic acquisitions

  • Organic growth strategies

  • Infrastructure and technology investment

  • Team & culture building

  • Consulting, analytical, and marketing projects

What is our recipe for growth?

  • Build “dream” teams

  • Strengthen internal systems

  • Allow for growth “experiments” and acquisitions

  • Double-down on high-potential initiatives

  • Be patient to allow time for success

Why partner with us

We respect Midwest entrepreneurs (like you) and share a passion for what you’ve built, your team, and where your company is headed.

RESPECTFUL

We pride ourselves on our ability to quickly learn your company. We respect what you’ve built and where you are headed. We are “the buyer”, but our goal is to sell ourselves and the value we bring to you.

ENTREPRENEURIAL

We are entrepreneurs just like you who at the end of the day are all about solving the customers’ problems in a unique way that doesn’t just produce results but endears them to us forever.

PASSIONATE

It’s not just about financials and returns. Life is short and we only partner with “good people” where we share the same passion for continued growth and success while enjoying the journey together.

Our Team

  • Doug Villhard

    MANAGING PARTNER
    VENTURE CAPITAL DIVISION

    20+ years starting and growing tech-enabled businesses

    Academic Director and Professor of Practice of Entrepreneurship at the Olin School of Business at Washington University

    Co-Founder/CEO of Second Street, which was acquired by Upland Software in 2021.

    Co-Founder of SportsHuddle, which has since been acquired by CBS and is now MaxPreps

    Board member: Adalo and Honeymoon Chocolates.

    Started career at Disney Online

    MBA, Washington University, Olin Business School

    Founder and School Board President of Father McGivney Catholic High School.

  • Pete Villhard

    MANAGING PARTNER
    BUYOUT DIVISION

    20+ years of middle-market buyout experience

    Managing Director with Thompson Street Capital, a leading middle-market buyout firm

    Co-Founder & Director Business Development, Builders FirstSource (BLDR:NASDAQ)

    Current or former board member: Digital Dental, Crystal Ultra Lab, Vaddio, Option 1 Nutrition Solutions, Broadcast Electronics, Connecticut Electric, Tacoma Electric

    Previous experience with Bain & Company and Emerson Electric

    BS Electrical Engineering / BA Mathematics, Southern Methodist University

    Woods Fellow, MBA Program, Washington University, Olin School of Business

    Board of Trustees of the Churchill Center & School for Learning Disabilities

  • Rian Edwards

    CHIEF OF STAFF

    5+ years experience of working with growing companies

    Manager of Entrepreneurship Department at Washington University, Olin Business School

    Previously General Manager for start-up in St. Louis

    Previous experience working with women-owned start-ups through WBENC

    BA in Social Impact from Grinnell College

Venture Capital Investments

  • Adalo

    A “no code” platform where you can create software without having to know how to code and with just a few clicks. Learn more.

  • VertiGreens

    Local, scalable vertical indoor farming.

  • The pcBee

    Revolutionizing circuit board prototyping and manufacturing.

  • Hum Industrial

    Wireless railcar monitoring devices. Learn more.

  • Benchmark Learning

    An online tutoring company specializing in private and group tutoring for Math, English, Science and Coding. Learn more.

  • Ascend Venture Capital

    An early-stage VC-fund in St. Louis that invests in mission critical, data-centric technology. Learn more.

  • Gipper

    A social media content creation tool for schools and athletic departments. Learn more.

  • WEPOWER

    A growth fund in St. Louis targeted to black and latinx entrepreneurs. Learn more.

  • Wagr

    Simplifying sports wagering and chatter between friends, coworkers, community, and family. Learn more.

  • Buoy

    All natural, hydration-based products you can squeeze into any drink. Learn more.

  • Flipstik

    Allows a phone to stick to any surface for FaceTime and TikTok. Learn more.

  • Babyation

    A discreet, smart, and quiet breast pump. Learn more.

  • Pareto

    A clothing brand making it easier to decide what to wear today. Learn more.

  • Contrast

    A clinical documentation platform that improves the healthcare experience for patients and providers. Learn more.

  • Rezilient Health

    Reimagining primary care. Learn more.

  • StockSwap

    Fantasy stock market games and research. Learn more.

  • GiftAMeal

    A platform for restaurants to encourage patrons to share a photo of their meal on social media to in turn provide a meal to a neighbor in need. Learn more.

  • Honeymoon Chocolates

    Delicious chocolate sweetened with raw honey instead of sugar. Learn more.

  • Apollo Music

    Leveraging AI to build out a suite of creation and distribution tools for creators. Learn more

Buyout Investments

  • Digital Dental

    Digital Dental provides computer-aided (CAD/CAM) milling solutions for high production dental labs. Digital Dental focuses on solutions for clear aligner trimming, customer titanium abutment milling, and Zirconia crown and bridge applications. Learn more.

  • Crystal Ultra Lab

    Crystal Ultra Lab is the leading manufacturer of nanoceramic implant-supported full-arch restorations for the dental industry. Learn more.

 

Contact us.

We’d love to take a look at your business and discuss a partnership.

For more information about VGP or to share an investment opportunity, please submit the form to the right or reach out to us at pete@villhardgrowth.com