HM Capital Partners

Founded in 1984 as Hicks & Haas and later reorganized as Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst (HMTF), the firm became one of the most active private equity players in the 1990s. The firm gained early fame for high-profile deals such as the acquisition and merger of Dr Pepper and 7 Up. It employed a 'buy-and-build' strategy, significantly expanding its portfolio through aggressive acquisitions in sectors like media, food, and energy.

Following the bursting of the dot-com bubble, the firm suffered significant losses from technology and telecommunications investments, leading to the departure of co-founder Tom Hicks in 2004. The firm rebranded as HM Capital Partners in 2006 to reflect its new leadership. Despite efforts to raise new capital, the firm ultimately dissolved in 2013, spinning off its remaining groups into Tailwater Capital (energy) and Kainos Capital (food).