Long-term growth in Ontario small businesses

Who we are

Ferngrove Capital is a family of entrepreneurs, led by Josh, looking to acquire and operate a business located in Southern Ontario with a history of stable cashflows, generating EBITDA of $1M to $2M. Our goal is to build on the legacy of the owner with integrity, humility, and hard work, while taking care of the people who make the business great.

Here is a snapshot of our values:

  • Committed capital: We are able to invest in and close a transaction with our own capital

  • People-focused: We bring a family-based approach to business success – focusing on developing leaders from within

  • Long-term plan: We take a long-term view to sustainable growth with no plan for exiting the business

Meet Josh

  • josh@ferngrovecapital.com

Josh is the founder of Ferngrove Capital and leads his family’s investment strategy in Ontario. He was previously a Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group in Toronto, a global consulting firm specializing in innovative solutions for clients across a range of industries.

At BCG, Josh led strategic growth projects and operational improvement for retailers, tech firms, financial institutions, sports organizations, and more. As part of the Consumer Practice, he worked closely with retail clients, managing teams who were responsible for providing thought partnership on supplier relationships, building advanced analytics platforms to optimize product assortment, and designing loyalty program operating models.

Prior to BCG, Josh was a corporate lawyer at Gardiner Roberts LLP, a mid-size full-service law firm in Toronto, where he specialized in mid-market M&A & financings.

Josh holds an MBA from Ivey Business School at Western University, a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, and a BComm from Dalhousie University. In their free time, Josh and his wife enjoy sailing, skiing, and learning to cook new dishes.

Ontario-based businesses

What we are looking for

People

  • Experienced owner / operator

  • Looking for full or partial liquidity

  • Seeking stable path to succession

Financial

  • Annual operating cashflows of $1M – $2M

  • History of stable cashflows

  • Low ongoing capital expenditure needs

Industry

  • Services-based or niche manufacturing

  • Stable or growing market

  • Low cyclicality

Business

  • History of strong customer relationships

  • Small or medium Ontario-based busines

  • Committed middle managers

What we Bring to the Table

Leadership Integrity

We have a strong history of leading and dealing with integrity – the most important piece of any business relationship.

People Focus

We will look after the people who work hard to make the business great – focusing on empowering and growing leaders from within.

Actively Managing

We are looking to actively manage the business, with Josh taking acting as the primary operator – we will be personally involved from day one.

Growth Experience

We will leverage a depth of experience in business building and growth, with both management and advisors focused on what matters.

Flexible Structuring

We will work to structure a deal that fits your succession objectives, including the ability to partner with us in future growth of the business.

Certainty to Close

We are experienced deal makers with access to committed capital – we are capable of completing a deal together efficiently and in a timely manner.