01
Long-Term Ownership
We are acquiring businesses with the intention of operating and growing them over the long term—not pursuing a quick resale.
Chicago · Illinois
Ace Lake Capital.
a permanent home for great businesses.
$750K–$1.5M
Target Purchase Price
$250K–$450K
Normalized Earnings
Illinois
Primary Geography
Our Philosophy
We buy businesses to operate them, not flip them.
02
Preserve What Works
Employees, customers, reputation, and institutional knowledge matter. We approach transitions with respect for what the owner has built.
03
Thoughtful Growth
We look for practical improvements in operations, pricing, technology, marketing, reporting, and customer experience without disrupting the core business.
For Business Owners
The next chapter should respect the one you built.
Selling a business is more than a financial transaction. For many owners, it means choosing who will take care of employees, customers, and a reputation built over decades.
Ace Lake Capital offers a local, hands-on alternative focused on continuity and long-term stewardship.
01
Protect Your Legacy
Your reputation, relationships, and the name you built deserve a steward who intends to keep them intact.
02
Support Your Employees
The people who made the business work stay at the center of the transition—not as a cost to manage, but as the operating foundation.
03
Remain Local & Hands-On
We are Chicago-based and focused on Illinois, so we can stay close to the company, its customers, and its team.
04
Create a Flexible Transition
We are open to a transition structure that fits the seller's goals, including a defined handoff or continued advisory involvement.
Our Team
A multidisciplinary team built to operate.
Kevin
Strategy & Growth
University of Chicago, Economics. Capital One Business Analyst. Led strategies generating approximately $147M in annual NPV and founded and grew three startups.
Alex
Finance & Analytics
University of Chicago, Statistics & Economics + M.S. Financial Mathematics. FTI Consulting Data & Analytics. Former Northern Trust quantitative researcher.
Jeremy
Credit & Financing
University of Toronto, Finance & Management. TD Bank Private Banking Credit Manager overseeing a CAD $275M portfolio across 100+ clients.
Everett
Operations & Product
Northwestern University, Economics & Mathematics. ION Group Product Manager & Implementation Strategist with prior experience working with multiple search funds.
What We're Looking For
Established businesses with durable foundations.
- Geography
- Illinois, preferably within approximately 90 minutes of Chicago
- Purchase Price
- $750K–$1.5M
- Revenue
- $1M–$4M
- SDE / EBITDA
- $250K–$450K normalized earnings
- Operating History
- Ideally 5+ years
- Revenue Quality
- Repeat, recurring, or essential demand
- Customer Base
- Diversified with limited concentration
- Operations
- Existing employees and operating infrastructure
Industries of Interest
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Commercial Services
- Pest Control
- Landscaping
- Restoration
- Equipment Repair
- Maintenance
- Specialty Transportation
- Pet Services
- Other recurring or essential local services
We're also interested in businesses outside these categories that share similar characteristics.
How We Operate
Preserve first. Improve second. Grow over time.
01 — Understand
Learn the business, customers, employees, workflows, and economics.
02 — Preserve
Maintain the relationships and practices responsible for the company's success.
03 — Improve
Strengthen reporting, technology, pricing, lead management, scheduling, marketing, and operational processes.
04 — Grow
Reinvest in people and the business while pursuing organic growth and selective acquisitions.
We do not intend to immediately rebrand or overhaul acquired companies. Continuity comes first.
Flexible capital. Straightforward transactions.
We expect to finance acquisitions through a combination of buyer and investor equity, SBA-backed acquisition financing, and seller financing where appropriate.
We focus on profitable businesses with enough cash flow to comfortably support acquisition debt while maintaining healthy operating reserves.
Target transaction size
$750K–$1.5M
Capital
Buyer + Investor Equity
Financing
SBA-Backed Financing
Flexibility
Seller Financing Where Appropriate
Additional financial information and proof of funds can be provided for qualified opportunities.
Considering the next chapter for your business?
Whether you're a business owner considering a transition, a broker representing an opportunity, or an advisor working with Illinois companies, we'd be glad to connect.
Chicago, Illinois
Email Ace Lake Capital