WELCOME TO

FIRELIGHT

FIRELIGHT is a highly differentiated private equity platform
dedicated to unlocking and accelerating the growth and cultural resonance
of exceptional emerging consumer and retail brands.

 
Screen Shot 2016-12-19 at 6.22.25 PM.png

HOW IT WORKS

Our unique platform is a partnership between highly experienced consumer private equity investors and the founders of an award-winning marketing agency, YARD.

Our journey starts by establishing true partnerships with remarkable,
energetic founders and management teams—understanding fully the fire
they have lit in their category and culture.

We bring together the right resources and means to ignite the next level blaze that will propel these brands into the future—and towards exponential growth.

OUR CRITERIA

Companies with revenue of $25-$100 million and EBITDA of $2-$15 million; Majority or minority investments, in many cases, with little or no leverage.

+ Mainly North American-based companies with domestic and global reach that can immediately leverage our category expertise.
+ Exceptional founders and management teams seeking an active, collaborative partnership.
+ High-growth branded consumer and retail companies at inflection points where the value add can accelerate exponential growth potential.
+ Patient investment horizons and exit strategies.
+ $10 - $25 million per investment

Categories: Apparel & Accessories / Health & Wellness / Pet / Beauty & Personal Care / Food & Beverage / Footwear

 
 
 
Screen Shot 2016-12-19 at 6.22.25 PM.png

SELECTED MANAGED INVESTMENTS

SELECTED YARD CLIENTS

ABOUT FIRELIGHT CAPITAL PARTNERS

Firelight Capital Partners ("Firelight") is a private equity firm dedicated to unlocking and accelerating the growth and cultural resonance of exceptional emerging consumer and retail brands. Firelight is a partnership between established private equity investors and the founders of YARD, a New York-based consumer-focused brand and marketing strategy agency.

ABOUT YARD

Yard NYC is an independent creative company and AdAge Small Agency of the Year award winner that turns brands into cultural beacons. Located in New York City, please visit: www.yardnyc.com for more information or inquiries.

 
 

CURRENT INVESTMENTS

 

Fromm is a manufacturer and distributor of shears, salon apparel, hair accessories, brushes, combs, foil, gloves and towels used by both professionals and consumers. Company-owned brands include Fromm Pro, The Hair Edit, and Diane. Fromm sells its products through thousands of points of distribution throughout North America and Western Europe, including at all Ulta Beauty stores. In addition to its beauty products, Fromm is one of the largest suppliers of education kits to beauty schools throughout the United States and Canada.

Brand Website:

frommbeauty.com

Fromm Pro:

frommpro.com | Instagram | TikTok

Diane:

dianebeauty.com | TikTok

The Hair Edit:

thehairedit.com | Instagram | TikTok

 
hobo_logo_v2.png

Based in Annapolis, Maryland, Hobo designs and produces high-quality, branded leather handbags and accessories in the affordable luxury category, offering an array of stylish and “timelessly cool” leather products at accessible price points. Hobo distributes its shoulder bags, totes, wallets, belt bags, backpacks, and small leather goods through major department stores and specialty boutique retailers around the world, as well as through e-commerce channels. Today Hobo thrives as a second generation, family-operated brand that stays true to its passion and enduring design philosophy with timeless designs and flawless functionality, creating bags that appeal to consumers who value individuality, craftsmanship, and authenticity.

Brand website:

hobobags.com 

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

 

Launched in 2016 in Draper, UT, Chalk Couture is a highly differentiated crafting business providing the ultimate high quality home décor product suite. Thousands of proprietary transfers, surfaces, chalk pastes, and accessories make constructing your own DIY art pieces easy for anyone, regardless of artistic ability or previous experience. The Company utilizes a community-building and enthusiast-based direct selling model coupled with the power of social media to expand its brand and reach new customers. The Company’s dedicated and passionate independent sales consultant base, thriving direct-to-consumer model and growing subscription service, all supported by sophisticated infrastructure, position the brand for unparalleled growth.

Brand website:

chalkcouture.com

Facebook | Instagram

 
 

PAST INVESTMENTS

 

Three Dog Bakery is a manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of premium, all-natural dog treats and food made with high quality and wholesome ingredients.  The company develops and sells a wide range of baked, all-natural treats, and provides a complete offering, including all-natural, slow baked biscuits, dog-training treats, soft-baked cookies, meat-based treats, dry and wet dog food.  The Company is known for being the “Original Bakery for Dogs”, and operates a network of retail bakeries, where customers can find their favorite fresh-baked and handcrafted treats, as well as an assortment of accessories. Three Dog Bakery is the natural, wholesome way to love your dog!

Brand website:

threedog.com

Screen Shot 2016-12-19 at 6.22.25 PM.png

CONTACT

RICK PERKAL

Managing Partner & CEO
Phone: (917) 331 1925
Email: rick@firelightcapital.com

Rick Perkal is Firelight’s Chief Executive Officer and formerly a senior managing director of Irving Place Capital where he focused on investments in the retail and consumer sectors.  There, he led or co-led investments in a broad range of well-known consumer and retail firms. Mr. Perkal was instrumental in the founding of Star Avenue Capital, a growth equity firm focused on investments in retail and consumer branded companies. Earlier in his career, Mr. Perkal was a Senior Partner at Kirkland & Ellis.

PAT COLLINS

Managing Partner
Phone: (415) 793-7455
Email: pat@firelightcapital.com

Pat Collins is a Managing Partner of Firelight. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Managing Partner at Grand Crossing Capital, a family backed private equity firm focused on investments in consumer businesses. Before that, he spent most of his career with JH Partners, most recently as a Partner, where he led or co-led investments typically in high growth branded consumer products and retail businesses and was responsible for or actively involved with several high profile well-known brands. Prior to JH, he held roles at Behrman Capital and Merrill Lynch.

DAVID MUNCZINSKI

Partner
Phone: (617) 869 8612
Email: davidm@firelightcapital.com

David Munczinski is a Partner of Firelight. Before joining Firelight, David founded and served as CEO of Brickwork, which was acquired by b8ta, Inc. where he served as President of Platform. Prior to Brickwork, he held management roles at Ralph Lauren, Fast Retailing and Levi Strauss & Co. David has an A.B. with Honors from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania.

NACHO JUELLE

Senior Associate
Phone: (787) 587-0610
Email: nacho@firelightcapital.com

Nacho Juelle is a Senior Associate at Firelight Capital Partners. Prior to joining Firelight, Mr. Juelle was a manager at Ernst & Young within their financial practice. Mr. Juelle holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Sacred Heart University and an M.B.A from Columbia Business School. Mr. Juelle has earned the CFA designation and is an active CPA.

ERIC LENTINI

Associate
Phone: (917) 539-2916
Email: eric@firelightcapital.com

Eric Lentini is an Associate of Firelight. Eric started his career at ING Barings as an equity research analyst covering media and telecom. Prior to joining Firelight, Eric led the financial planning and analysis function at Broadway Video, a media and entertainment company that produces television programming including Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Eric holds a B.A. in History from Columbia University, and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.

TOM PSARAS

Senior Analyst
Phone: (407) 399-2441
Email: tom@firelightcapital.com

Tom Psaras is a Senior Analyst at Firelight Capital Partners. Prior to joining Firelight, Tom spent three years in investment banking at Cross Keys Capital, performing sell-side M&A advisory services to clients in the middle market and lower middle market. At Cross Keys, Tom delivered successful outcomes to companies in the Consumer, Tech, Industrials, Business Services, and Healthcare sectors. Before his time in M&A, Tom worked in various roles in  private equity and venture capital. Tom holds a B.A in Finance and Business Management from the University of North Florida.

 PRESS & MEDIA


January 2024
Firelight Capital Acquires Fromm International
The hair tools and accessories manufacturer, which also owns brands The Hair Edits, Fromm Pro and Diane, has been acquired by Firelight Capital Partners


November 2019
Hobo Finds Some New Friends
Rick Perkal’s Firelight Capital Partners, which focuses on helping companies accelerate their growth, led an investment round in Hobo.


January 2017
Firelight Capital Backs First Deal with Three Dog Bakery
Firelight Capital Partners, a consumer-focused firm made its first deal, investing in natural dog treat company Three Dog Bakery.