Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (“LLCP”), a leading middle market private equity firm, announced today that it has held a final closing on commitments totaling $225 million for its small business investment company fund, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners SBIC Fund, L.P.  (“LLCP SBIC Fund”).  Investors in the fund include a diverse group of domestic and international limited partners.

Since its founding in 1984, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners has made over 45 structured equity investments totaling approximately $1.5 billion of capital in U.S. middle market companies.  LLCP will continue its structured equity investment strategy through the LLCP SBIC Fund by investing in market leading companies that are owned and managed by entrepreneurs.  The new fund will invest in U.S. businesses with revenues of up to $50 million primarily in the consumer products, light manufacturing and services sectors.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to utilize low cost leverage to invest and create jobs in small U.S. companies.  These companies have been shut out by the banks and the broader investment community and have very limited financing alternatives.  LLCP SBIC Fund allows us to create superior investment returns employing the same structured equity investment strategy that we developed over 26 years ago.  Our firm remains very focused on investing in these highly inefficient markets.  We received a tremendous amount of support from our investors for the expertise we bring to an underserved niche of the U.S. economy,” commented Lauren Leichtman, Chief Executive Officer.