Trimaran Capital Partners

Trimaran Capital Partners was founded in 2000, tracing its origins to The Argosy Group, a boutique investment bank established in 1990 by former Drexel Burnham Lambert bankers. After Argosy was acquired by CIBC in 1995, the team managed the CIBC Argosy Merchant Banking funds, achieving significant success with early investments in telecommunications, most notably a windfall from Global Crossing. The firm officially spun out from CIBC World Markets to become an independent entity in February 2006.

The firm focuses on middle-market investments, having invested approximately $1.6 billion of equity in nearly sixty companies since 1995. Its investment activities historically included early-stage backing for internet and telecom businesses as well as lead roles in complex leveraged buyouts of integrated electric utilities and various consumer-facing brands. In addition to private equity, the firm operated a debt business, Trimaran Advisors, which managed over $1 billion in leveraged loans through collateralized loan obligation vehicles.

In the mid-2000s, Trimaran faced challenges raising new capital, leading to a shift in its leadership structure. Co-founder Andrew Heyer departed in 2007 to launch Mistral Equity Partners, a retail-focused buyout firm. Subsequently, in 2008, remaining partners Jay Bloom and Dean Kehler entered into a joint venture with Nelson Peltz's Trian Partners to focus on distressed corporate debt and credit opportunities while continuing to manage Trimaran's existing funds.