Riverwood Capital

Scale is the theme of this technology investor, which says it partners with proven technology and tech-enabled companies and helps them grow into leading organizations. Riverwood Capital was founded in 2008 and describes its investors as experienced technology and business executives who have completed hundreds of transactions. It runs offices in Menlo Park, New York and Sao Paulo.

What counts as a proven company

The firm uses the word deliberately. By its definition, a proven business is either profitable or not yet profitable but showing positive unit economics. It looks for technology and technology-related companies with large market opportunities and a demonstrated business model that could accelerate if given capital and support, and it highlights scalability, profitable growth, culture and teamwork as the qualities it targets.

Structuring deals

Riverwood says it can structure either minority or control investments, depending on what suits the company. It describes a patient, partnership-driven and long-term approach and says it builds lasting relationships with management teams, founders and other stakeholders. It routinely works with high-growth businesses facing strategic or operational turning points.

Where it invests

The search is global, with particular emphasis on North America, Latin America and other selected emerging markets. Its sector list runs across technology: telecom and IT infrastructure, outsourced IT services, digital and consumer internet businesses, and tech-enabled leaders in other industries.

The Scalability Playbook

The firm's main method for helping portfolio companies is a framework it calls the Scalability Playbook, and its investment strategy depends partly on whether it believes the playbook can help a given business. The site describes the firm as operational and strategic business builders who help companies define strategy, accelerate growth, manage cost structure and supply chain and draw up practical technology roadmaps.

Network behind the portfolio

Companies also gain access to an advisers network drawn from top executives at global technology firms, along with strategic partnerships and relationships with several institutions. The firm credits its culture of hard work, high ethical standards and collaboration as central to how it invests, and it says its executives combine decades of experience in technology, operations and investing.

Riverwood Capital is a technology-focused investment firm founded in 2008. It works with technology and tech-enabled businesses that already have a proven model and want capital and support to grow faster. Its investors are experienced technology and business executives who say they have completed hundreds of transactions.

Products and services

• Minority or control investments: can structure a deal either way, depending on the company.
• Scalability Playbook: a set of methods it uses to help portfolio companies scale.
• Executive network: an advisers network drawn from global technology companies.
• Long-term partnership: works with management teams, founders and other stakeholders over the long run.

Who it works with

Companies that are profitable, or not yet profitable but with positive unit economics. Sectors include IT and telecom infrastructure, IT services and outsourcing, digital and consumer internet, and tech-enabled leaders in other industries.

Key facts

• Founded: 2008
• Regions: Global, with emphasis on North America, Latin America and selected emerging markets