Catalyst for
Transformation and Ascension

About Us

Who we are

We are an operationally focused investment firm that takes pride in being a CAtalyst for TRANsformation and Ascension. We partner with family-owned and founder-owned lower mid-market businesses to provide liquidity and the capital they need to create value. Through tailored investment solutions and strategic insights, we drive sustainable growth and elevate companies to their fullest potential. We operate with absolute humility, integrity and trust.

What we bring to the table

Our team consists of tenured executives with over 40 years of investment experience and expertise from successfully guiding hundreds of companies in the technology and healthcare sectors. We seek to partner with business owners that care deeply about their employees, communities and customers and prefer investment partners that are not beholden to the traditional PE buy and flip strategies. We craft tailored strategies that align with your business goals, ensuring transformative success and sustainable long-term growth.

What sets us apart

FOCUSED PHILOSOPHY: Your success is our success. We focus on a small group of companies and investment opportunities. We prioritize the business’s goals and work diligently to deliver results that create lasting value. We prioritize strong relationships, leveraging our network and expertise to provide tailored support and strategic guidance that fits the business’ unique needs.

OPERATIONAL APPROACH: We don't just invest; we partner. We bring a broad perspective and the insights, helping navigate complex problems and transforming them into opportunities. Our collaborative approach means we work side-by-side with the management team, aligning on objectives, driving organic and M&A strategy, hiring key employees and executing on a plan to drive transformative success.

INNOVATIVE THINKING: We embrace innovation and are committed to finding creative solutions that push boundaries and drive industry standards. Whether it is commercial, operational, or financial, we bring agile and innovative solutions to create continuous business ascension.

Our Team

Kojo Appenteng

Co-Founder, Managing Partner

Kojo has decades of experience in investment banking, corporate finance and strategy. Over his career, he has led transformative M&A, equity and debt transactions across the technology and healthcare sectors. He has extensive experience sourcing and underwriting companies in the lower middle market. He has served on multiple boards and brings deep insights from prior hands-on operating roles. At Catrana, he focuses on learning how our partner companies function and delivering the capital to drive organic and inorganic growth.

Kojo was previously managing director and head of healthcare technology at Stifel. Prior to that he held senior investment banking roles at Edgemont and Credit Suisse. He previously worked in M&A at Morgan Stanley and Harris Williams. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from Bowling Green, and graduate degrees in finance from Oxford University and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Mayur Palan

Co-Founder, Managing Partner

Mayur brings over 20 years of expertise across technology, healthcare and M&A working with corporates and investors. In his previous role as Managing Director at Credit Suisse, he led a team exclusively focused on emerging, high growth and disruptive businesses across software, healthcare technology, industrial technology, and climate technology.

He has worked closely with management teams on business development, strategy, positioning, and executing M&A and capital raises. His extensive experience in identifying new opportunities and managing deals of all sizes on a global scale is matched by his strategic acumen and knack for driving value creation.

Known for his innovative approach and deep industry insights, Mayur excels in overcoming commercial, operational, and financial hurdles. At Catrana, his leadership is characterized by a commitment to trust-building, partnership, and a people-first philosophy. Mayur’s dynamic vision and dedication are instrumental in steering our partners towards transformative growth and success.

Our Focus and Principles

We don't just Invest, we Partner

We honor Founder's Legacy, and take it Forward

We are Focused; One opportunity at a time

We are Problem Solvers - Innovative and Agile

We leverage our Experience and proactively drive Value Creation opportunities

Investment Strategy

We seek to acquire or invest in family-owned and founder-owned companies with robust business
models, strong management teams, brand recognition, and a track record of profitability with potential for organic growth. We like founder transitions (looking for liquidity or a full sale)
We leverage our extensive experience to proactively drive long term value creation processes. Our
investment strategy honors the legacies of the entrepreneurs from whom we acquire businesses.

Investment Criteria

Sectors

Size

Healthcare Services
Tech-enabled Services
Business Services
Enterprise Software

Revenue of $10mn-$50mn
EBITDA of $2mn-$10mn

Situations

100% Sale
Founder transition
Minority Investments
Majority Acquisitions
Management Buyouts
Special Situations

Anchor 1

Catalyst for Transformation and Ascension