Trust. Collaboration. Value Creation.
We know that more than capital is needed to find, acquire and grow a business. Many acquisition opportunities aren’t widely known and finding a promising business to acquire presents enormous challenges
With over 250 search fund investments and over 50 years of management and investment experience, we understand the unique challenges facing a search fund entrepreneur and small businesses.
Red Forest Capital supports search funds through all phases of an acquisition. We offer unique advantages with our marketing, research, and due diligence expertise in addition to proprietary training and tools needed to differentiate and acquire an attractive business.
During negotiations, we support search funds as they progress through diligence, develop a sensible valuation, and structure appropriate terms. We offer considerable merger and acquisition experience to increase the likelihood of buying the business at the right price.
Following the acquisition, we partner with the new management team to implement strong management practices and provide access to our extensive network of advisors, investors, and talent to support the business. We support the incoming team in fulfilling a company’s full potential with expertise in Operations, Marketing, Sales, Finance, Strategy, Information Technology, and Corporate Development.
Our Story
The Burr family was one of the earliest investors in search funds, helping to pioneer the development of the search fund and "entrepreneurship through acquisition" model.
Our history begins with an investment made in the 1970s by Craig Burr in Continental Cablevision with H. Irving “Irv” Grousbeck, who developed the search fund model.
In 2012, Matthew Burr joined as General Partner and continues to focus on search fund investing, leveraged buyouts and portfolio company performance.
Our Team
Craig Burr | General Partner
Craig is one of New England’s foremost experts in venture capital and private equity. Craig was one of the founders and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the New England Venture Capital Association. Prior to NEVCA, Craig was a founding member of Burr, Egan, Deleage & Company, a venture capital firm focused in technology, healthcare and biotechnology, and communications. Previously, he served as a General Partner at TA Associates, a private equity firm that leads buyouts and recapitalizations. Craig earned a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Matthew Burr | General Partner
Matt has become a recognized leader in search fund investing. Prior to Red Forest Capital, Matt worked for Cambridge Associates and assisted universities, foundations, and high net worth families with asset allocation and investment manager selection. Here, he also worked as a hedge fund analyst, evaluating global long/short equity managers for potential investment. Matt currently serves on the Board of Directors of Atlantic Duct Cleaning, Bridge, Dragonfly Pond Works, Freehold Ophthalmology, and HousingWire. Matt earned a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Harvard College and a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University.
Max Schaefer | Operating Partner
Max joined Red Forest Capital as Operating Partner in 2023. Prior to joining Red Forest, Max ran a search fund, Spinnaker Capital Management, focused on healthcare services and healthcare IT. Before launching his search, Max was a member of the leadership team at Shields Health Solutions, a leading specialty pharmacy business, where he focused on growth and strategic operations. Earlier in his career he held numerous strategic and operational roles in technology consulting. Max earned a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
