INVESTMENT FOCUS

Target Market -- Niche/Specialty Funds and Deals

M² is unique. It was formed to focus on a tremendous void in the marketplace that Irwin Loud identified while managing the Florida Pension Fund private equity portfolio. There are many emerging niche and specialty private equity groups that are managed by individuals and teams that have institutional experience and processes. Traditional gatekeepers do not see the deal flow in this area, are not equipped to perform the requisite due diligence, and do not have client mandates to pursue value-enhancing new investments. However, Irwin joined André Rice at M² to invest in these emerging groups. The M² team has expertise in portfolio management, private equity investment, due diligence, and a tremendous relationship network. Outside investors in M²’s management company include representatives of wealthy families and private equity sponsors. This web of networks enables M² to perform "off line" due diligence on newer groups in a way that traditional gatekeepers cannot match. Our networks are mobilized for deal flow, due diligence, and value-enhancement as part of our active oversight and partnering with groups in which we invest.

M²’s focus is designed to target new and next generation fund managers. Newer groups often have difficulty raising their targeted amount. Our co-investment pool will address this vital need. M² offers niche and specialty fund managers with co-investment capital and the additional benefits of associated institutional credibility and a relationship network that enhances investment operations. Our ability to mobilize these elements in support of emerging new and next generation groups ideally positions M² to be the preferred investor in the marketplace and ensures our future deal flow.

M² is a minority-owned firm with a mainstream institutional investment strategy focused on emerging managers. Our firm was created in recognition of the fact that significant attractive private equity opportunities exist that are institutional in nature, but which will not be funded by traditional private equity gatekeepers. Irwin recognized the appeal and depth of this market due to his experience in creating and managing the Florida Pension Fund private equity portfolio. We believe that many of the managers that comprise our deal flow are exceptional investors, yet due diligence on these firms requires hands-on and often customized approaches. Our deal flow is diverse on many levels. Traditional gatekeepers often will not evaluate such firms or perform such due diligence; therefore, the managers that they recommend tend to be homogenous. M² seeks to find the best managers in the market and is willing to customize our due diligence in order to fully evaluate them. We are acutely sensitive to issues of diversity.

You will find that M² has a well-defined and disciplined approach to private equity investing that will meet the highest fiduciary standards.