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By: Bailey McCann, Private Equity Strategies

Ridgemont Equity Partners, a Charlotte-based middle market buyout and growth equity investor, founded by former Banc of America Capital Investors executives have closed their inaugural fund with total commitments of $735m. The fund - Ridgemont Equity Partners I, L.P. (“REP I”), closed in March and is oversubscribed. According to the firm, Limited Partners in REP I includes a diversified group of institutional investors from the U.S., Asia and Europe.

In August of 2010, the former Banc of America Capital Investors private equity team spun off from Bank of America to form Ridgemont. The principals of Ridgemont have invested together for two decades, deploying more than $3bn across 115 companies.

Ridgemont focuses on investments of $25 million to $75 million in industries in which it has deep expertise, including basic industries and services, energy, healthcare and telecommunications/media/technology. The firm has a long history of partnering with management teams of closely held private companies and new business platforms as either a majority owner or lead minority investor. REP I is currently comprised of nine portfolio companies.

According to Travis Hain, partner at Ridgemont and member of the firm’s Management Committee, who spoke with Private Equity Strategies, the 9 companies in the first fund are all based in North America. Hain says the firm will “continue to equally target all 4 of our core sectors,” in looking for future investments.

“We target both buyout and growth capital opportunities, but we are more focused on transactions that entail majority equity investments by Ridgemont,” he says.

Even though the fund is oversubscribed, Hain says that they plan to hold off on working on a second fund for now. “Ridgemont is focused on deploying the capital raised for REP I – we have plenty of dry powder to keep us active investors for the foreseeable future.”

Hain serves on the executive committee with two others – Walker Poole and Trey Sheridan. “We are thrilled to have oversubscribed our inaugural fund and believe that it is a testament to the strength of our team, attractive returns and commitment to a proven sector-focused model. The market responded well to Ridgemont’s history and strategy.”