Mergers & Acquisitions names the 2021 Rising Stars of Private Equity, including Mainsail Partners’ Jason Frankel.
Software specialist
Helping software companies reach the next phase of growth lies at the heart of Mainsail Partners’ investment thesis. It’s a skill Frankel has honed during his seven years with the firm and one that led to his promotion from vice president to principal earlier this year.
Portfolio support
Frankel has “formed many great relationships with founders, executives, and Mainsail team members,” operating partner Christopher Cassidy told Mergers & Acquisitions. “Jason has an understanding of the challenges facing bootstrapped software companies. His empathy for founders, combined with his understanding of what it takes to help take a company to the next stage of growth provides him with the ability to support our portfolio.”
In 2021, Frankel has worked on two add-on acquisitions for Mainsail portfolio companies. First, Aspire, a business management software company for landscaping businesses as well as snow, ice, and construction companies, acquired Crew Control. The latter is a scheduling software provider that serves smaller landscaping businesses. The second deal that Frankel worked on was when GTreasury, a treasury and risk management platform provider acquired Coprocess, which offers intercompany netting services.
Culture of inclusion
Frankel manages a team of associates. “We have found that he and his team have performed well during this time,” Cassidy said.
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) play an important role. “As a leader at Mainsail, I am proud to support our DEI committee and our focus on advancing diversity and fostering a culture of equity and inclusion at Mainsail, with the goal of being more effective investors,” Frankel explained. “I believe diversity of thought drives value for Mainsail and our portfolio companies. The DEI committee has helped us to take ownership of and measure our progress against DEI goals, as we strive to: increase awareness on issues related to DEI; increase diversity on Mainsail’s team and at portfolio companies; create access for minorities in financial services and technology careers; and support organizations that have a similar mission.”
“I am also proud to support Mainsail’s involvement with BreakLine Apex, an organization that helps create employment opportunities for people of color in the tech industry,” he added. “This is an example of Mainsail committing the budget, time and resources to help our portfolio companies have access to diverse candidates.”
