CLEAR STREAM PARTNERS
Operators Investing in Operators
THE OPPORTUNITY WE SEE
In today’s dynamic environment, creating exceptional companies takes more than capital. It takes strategic and operational know-how.
To answer this challenge, many upper-market private equity firms have created operating teams that ensure their portfolio companies have the resources, talent and tools needed to grow. However, this pairing of capital and growth services hasn't been available to smaller companies.
We created Clear Stream Partners to fill this void.
WHAT WE DO
We pair our experience as operators with our ability to raise and apply strategic capital to help entrepreneurs build extraordinary companies.
Through this unique approach, we turn aspirations into reality, realize outsized returns for all, and have fun along the way.
INVESTMENT CRITERIA
MARKET POSITION
Strong position in current market
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Demonstrated revenue growth
CUSTOMER BASE
Repeat business from enthusiastic customers
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Broad customer
base preferred
OPPORTUNITY
Real and meaningful growth opportunity
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Even if it seems a little out of reach today
PROFITABLE
EBITDA of at least $1.5M and 12% of revenue
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$3 million+ preferred
TEAM
Intense desire to win!
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...and to win as a team
MEET THE TEAM
We bring deep operations, technology and financial transaction experience,
and passion for building great companies with good people.
SEAN KEARNS
Sean spent the first five years of his career in NYC doing M&A for lower-middle market private equity portfolio companies at Chase Manhattan Bank. While there, he discovered a desire to move beyond financial transactions to executing investment strategies.
Over the past two decades, Sean has served as CEO of private equity portfolio companies where he led two successful turnarounds and enjoyed two successful exits, including a 3X return in 29 months. He also served as a public company CFO.
Sean has been an active member of Young Presidents' Organization since 2007. He holds a BA from Lafayette College and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
He lives in Denver with his wife and two daughters. Together, they enjoy the Colorado outdoors every chance they get.
THOMAS O'RORKE
Thomas started his career with Lehman Brothers where he honed his financial analytical and deal process capabilities. He then spent 13 years at Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank in fixed income sales and trading where he excelled in managing risk and providing solutions for investors.
In 2018, Thomas left Deutsche Bank to found LHC Capital to help companies, sponsors, and family offices navigate the alternative investment space. LHC Capital has closed over $500M of debt and equity transactions in multiple sectors including health care, automotive, infrastructure, real estate, and technology.
Thomas holds a BS in Math & Economics from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
He lives in Rye, NY with his wife and three children. Together they enjoy travel, cooking, movies and sports.
CURTIS KROEKER
Advisory Partner
Part of Clear Stream's founding team, Curtis contributes on an advisory basis to the firm's technology investing and company-building activities.
Curtis has built technology businesses for Fortune 500 and venture-backed companies. His work spans multiple sectors including eCommerce, enterprise software, digital marketing, and health. Curtis started his career with McKinsey & Company where he focused on growth strategy and new market entry.
Curtis holds a Bachelors of Commerce from the University of Calgary and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth where he was a Tuck Scholar.
Beyond work, Curtis loves spending time with his wife and children, and enjoying the great California outdoors.
GET IN TOUCH
If your company matches our investment criteria and
you’re ready for a partner who can genuinely help you attain your vision,
we’d love to hear from you.
