We actively support entrepreneurs in funding their future success
Prospecting to LOI, Deal Diligence to Closing and quality Board Composition; our team of accomplished individuals are here for entrepreneurs to lean on
“Run by Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs”, Next Coast is uniquely endowed with multiple highly accomplished operators who bring you real world wisdom at the moments you need it most
Having transacted on both sides of the fence multiple times, our team provides real-time guidance and structure support to maximize returns
Next Coast Legacy is run by a group of tenured operators who seek to invest exclusively in the best and the brightest future CEOs, helping them identify, acquire, grow and sell businesses in the lower to middle market.
Mike Smerklo and Dustin Sellers, two Next Coast partners, each acquired companies via the search fund model. While serving as CEO, Mike and Dustin grew revenue by 60x and 15x, respectively, with Mike ultimately leading the IPO of his company ServiceSource, which peaked in value at $1.7 billion.
We have lived the trials and tribulations as an investor-backed CEO. At our core, the partners of Next Coast Legacy are operators who have searched, identified, acquired, scaled and exited businesses and want to share their secrets to success.
Tech is ubiquitous and critical in a CEO’s playbook. Operators can no longer de-prioritize technology in the lower / middle market. Strongly aligned with our sister VC fund, Next Coast Ventures, we have developed a holistic perspective on how technology can transform even the most tech-phobic businesses.
With 25+ years of successful operating and investing in and around the lower / middle market ecosystem, our team is embedded in the current trends and opportunities affecting this corner of the market. We are thought-leaders on emerging themes for acquisition and are couriers of current information to our future CEOs.
Our in-depth criteria used in vetting operators continues to produce a rich, vibrant and representative tapestry of CEOs. We celebrate the diversity of the entrepreneur and will continue to strive for a unique mix of searchers representing our fund investments.