Chapter Three The treeline
Investment Criteria
Where the terrain gets selective.
What we look for
Seven criteria. All of them, on one page.
Clelia Capital acquires established lower-middle-market businesses that align with its investment criteria and offer opportunities for growth through operational and strategic excellence.
The seven criteria
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01
EBITDA
$3M+ EBITDA · $10M+ revenue
The financial floor. Businesses at or above this scale have the operating substance to support a transition of ownership.
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02
Industry
- Business Services
- Manufacturing
- Oil & Gas
- Software
- Technology
- Transportation
- Utilities
Seven sectors where we can bring operational and strategic experience to bear rather than learning on someone else’s business.
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03
Fragmented Industry
A market with many independent operators and no dominant player, offering a strong opportunity for value creation through a Buy-and-Build strategy.
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04
Established Presence
10+ years in market
A business with a proven track record of over a decade, demonstrating stability, resilience, and consistent performance in its market.
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05
Strong Management and Human Capital
A team with proven leadership, operational expertise, and a strong track record of driving business growth, supported by skilled and committed employees.
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06
Shared Values
Businesses aligned with our core principles, fostering collaboration, trust, and long-term partnerships.
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07
Positive Industry Trend
Industries with sustained growth, strong demand, or favorable tailwinds, prioritizing businesses with inelastic demand, essential services, high-affinity markets, or recurring revenues.
Have a lead that fits?
If you refer us to a business owner and we close the deal, we’ll pay you 1% of the purchase price.
Criteria are only half the answer.
The other half is who is applying them. Above the treeline, the alpine meadow — and the people behind the firm.
Who we are