Investment Focus & Thesis

Clearlake Capital targets companies with enterprise values typically between $100 million and $2 billion. The firm seeks businesses that leverage technology to create competitive advantages in traditional industries: Investment Range Equity investments of $50M-$300M in companies with enterprise values typically ranging from $100M-$2B. Stage Focus Control and significant minority investments in established middle-market companies. Enterprise Software — Vertical market software, SaaS platforms, and infrastructure software addressing specific industry needs Technology-Enabled Industrials — Industrial companies leveraging technology for operational excellence and competitive differentiation Financial Technology — Payments, banking technology, and financial services software solutions Consumer Technology — Digital consumer platforms, e-commerce technology, and consumer data platforms

Recent Investment Activity

Clearlake Capital has maintained highly active investment in technology and technology-enabled companies. The firm's combination of capital resources and operational expertise makes it an attractive partner for companies looking to scale. Company Sector Investment Theme Year Enterprise SaaS Platform Enterprise Software Growth Equity 2024 Industrial Technology Platform Technology-Enabled Industrials Control Buyout 2024 Financial Technology Company FinTech Growth Equity 2023 Consumer Technology Platform Consumer Technology Control Buyout 2023 Clearlake's value creation approach combines strategic guidance with operational expertise, leveraging the firm's deep technology knowledge to help portfolio companies accelerate growth and improve operational efficiency.

Notable Portfolio Companies

Clearlake Capital has built a portfolio of technology-forward companies across their target sectors, demonstrating their ability to identify and nurture businesses with strong technology foundations: Enterprise Software Leaders Companies providing specialized software solutions to enterprise customers across various vertical markets, with strong recurring revenue characteristics. Technology-Enabled Industrial Companies Industrial businesses that leverage technology for operational excellence, including automation, data analytics, and digital transformation. Financial Technology Innovators Companies disrupting traditional financial services through technology innovation, including payments, lending, and banking infrastructure. Clearlake's value creation strategy includes providing strategic guidance on technology investments, supporting talent acquisition, and facilitating acquisitions that expand product capabilities and market reach.

What Clearlake Capital Looks For

Clearlake Capital evaluates opportunities based on several key criteria that indicate a company's potential for technology-driven growth: Technology differentiation — Companies with proprietary technology, unique data assets, or technological advantages that create sustainable competitive moats Market leadership potential — Businesses operating in large and growing markets with clear opportunities for market share expansion Proven business model — Companies with demonstrated traction, recurring revenue, and path to profitability Strong management team — Leadership with the skills to scale technology and operations while maintaining customer focus Value creation opportunity — Clear pathways to enhance value through technology investments, acquisitions, or operational improvements }> Pro Tip Clearlake Capital looks for companies where technology is a key differentiator. Be prepared to discuss your technology stack, development roadmap, and how you leverage technology to deliver value to customers.

How to Connect With Clearlake Capital

Approaching Clearlake Capital requires demonstrating both financial performance and technology differentiation: 1 Demonstrate Technology Strength Quantify your technology differentiation through metrics like development velocity, platform performance, or proprietary algorithms. Show evidence of technology competitive advantages. 2 Prepare Financial Infrastructure Ensure clean financials with EBITDA of $15M+. Be prepared for technology-focused due diligence including security audits and technology assessments. 3 Articulate Growth Vision Develop a clear thesis for how Clearlake's partnership can accelerate growth. Identify specific technology investments, talent needs, or acquisitions that could drive expansion. 4 Build Relationships Leverage technology industry networks, software associations, and professional advisors to get introduced. Clearlake values relationships with management teams they know.

The Value of Professional Financial Infrastructure

Companies seeking PE investment from technology-focused firms like Clearlake Capital must demonstrate both financial rigor and technology strength: Financial Preparation • Clean financial statements • SaaS metrics (MRR, ARR, churn) • Revenue recognition compliance • Due diligence data room • Unit economics analysis Technology Metrics • Development velocity • Platform uptime and performance • Security compliance • Customer success metrics • Product roadmap clarity }> How Eagle Rock Helps We help technology companies prepare for PE investment by building professional financial infrastructure and operational metrics. Our fractional CFO services ensure you're ready for due diligence with clean financials, robust metrics, and strategic insights that make your business attractive to investors like Clearlake Capital.

Frequently Asked Questions