Empowering a New Generation of Entrepreneurs
About Us
Kamylon is one of the most experienced investment firms dedicated to empowering a new generation of Searchers. Since 2005, we have been searching for, buying, building and improving the LargeLocal™ businesses Searchers acquire
Our proprietary research shows that there are more than 400,000 LargeLocal businesses in the United States owned by Baby Boomers. Kamylon has contacted more than 75,000 of these and talked with tens of thousands of business owners. No other investment firm understands this opportunity set better.
What sets us apart from most private investment firms is that we are both managers and investors. We understand the Search process because we have done it – dozens of times. We know how to find and execute a proprietary deal. Our principals have personally cold-called thousands of companies. We have diligenced and executed dozens of LargeLocal deals. We know how to grow LargeLocal™ businesses, because our principals have personally run these types of businesses.
If you are a Searcher, know that we are dedicated to mentoring the most talented and diverse generation of entrepreneurs in American history. You are launching your Search at a pivotal moment as thousands of businesses must transition ownership. Kamylon has the values, experience, expertise, and resources to support you at every stage of your journey.
75,000+ Business Contacted
We have databased 75,000+ businesses and their owners. We've done what you're about to do.
70+ Businesses Acquired
Our leadership team in aggregate has made a combined 70+ acquisitions.
$300M+ of Equity Invested
Our leadership's combined acquisitions represent more than $300M of equity invested.
100+ "Searchers"
Trained
We've trained 100+ Associates, who searched for and contacted thousands of business owners.
Why Work With Us?
Our Team
We understand the challenges of an entrepreneur who has stepped into the chief executive role of a newly acquired company. We have done it many times. We understand that Searchers need partners who have their back. Searchers want mentors that have ample bandwidth. Trustworthy experts with the precise experience are needed at the right time. Kamylon provides those kinds of partners, mentors, and experts through our investment team and mentor network.
We pride ourselves on being investors who think like managers and managers who think like investors. Our leadership has made more than 70 acquisitions combined, representing more than $300 million of equity investment. The principals have worked together for more than a dozen years managing companies, valuing and executing investments, and originating proprietary investment opportunities with the same operating and strategic model.
Our Track Record
Kamylon is one of the most experienced professional investment firms dedicated to Search. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Kamylon has proven itself across many different industries since 2005. Kamylon was founded as an “Institutional Searcher” rather than a Solo Searcher, becoming the first so-called “long term hold” search firm. Since its founding Kamylon has conversed with more than 30,000 LargeLocal™ business owners and decision-makers, databased more than 75,000 LargeLocal™ companies, and recruited and trained more than 130 search interns and search associates over the last two decades.
We understand Search at its most granular level – not because we did it once or twice, but because we have searched for and acquired control of many LargeLocal™ businesses; managed them through financial, operational, and managerial challenges; integrated some in buy and builds; and exited them. We have failed and succeeded multiple times. We understand how LargeLocal™ business owners think and feel about their company. We know how to partner with the best of them in successful win-win-win transactions.
Our Mentorship
Many investment firms only support Searchers in one phase of their journey. Others do not provide much support at all. When you work with Kamylon, we support our Searchers in every phase – from recruiting interns, to contacting owners, to hiring sales teams, to raising capital for an acquisition, and to hiring the right investment bank to manage a sale or recapitalization of a business.
In today’s market, Searchers tell us that their biggest worry is the dearth of investor capacity to roll up sleeves and add value. Kamylon has ample capacity with its rapidly growing network of mentors, each of whom is committed to mentoring Searchers. They enjoy counseling promising talent. Our mentors are experienced leaders, executives, business owners, and experts covering all the scenarios that a Searcher may face.
Our Searchers
There are many different types of Search – classic, self-funded, buy-and-build, international, accelerator, mid-career and more. While we are exploring many of these models, Kamylon currently focuses on U.S. based Classic Search – the search model defined by the Stanford Study.
We seek out and support a diverse group of entrepreneurs, with backgrounds and interests in all types of industries. We prioritize Searchers that look to become leaders of businesses that will positively impact their community, our nation, and the world.
If you think you may be a Searcher, contact us.
If you know you are meant to Search, we want to back you.
Leadership
As founder of Kamylon, Lelon serves as a valuable strategic thought partner and advisor to all of Kamylon’s portfolio CEOs.
During the two decades prior to Kamylon, Lelon was involved in the investment of over $300 million of equity in more than 40 businesses. He was previously a General Partner and Executive Vice President of Sports Capital – a leading investor in sports, media, entertainment and wellness – and a Principal at Veronis, Suhler, Stevenson, a private equity firm focused on media, communications and information industries. He began his career with the private equity firm Summit Partners.
Lelon graduated cum laude with an AB in Comparative Religion and Philosophy from Harvard College. He holds a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
He enjoys writing and reading theology and philosophy.
As a former military officer and Lean Six Sigma Master Blackbelt, Goddard is particularly passionate about helping LargeLocal companies scale profitably through challenging transformational stages. Since joining Kamylon in 2008, he has held both direct and indirect support roles with portfolio companies, including three stints as a CEO.
Prior to Kamylon, Goddard served as Executive Director and Vice President of Operations at 3D Systems Inc. (NYSE:DDD), where he helped grow it into the dominant player in the 3D Printing industry. He led Performance Improvement at the packaging firm Sealed Air Corp (NYSE: SEE) and served as a project manager with McKinsey & Company. Goddard began his professional career as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Goddard received his undergraduate degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and his MBA from the London Business School.
He has saved 190 lives as a helicopter search and rescue pilot.
Lavin has been with Kamylon Holdings for twelve years. As a Managing Principal, he has led several successful acquisitions for the firm. He is also active in the management of select portfolio companies.
Lavin previously served as a Principal and Kamylon’s Director of Origination, where he trained more than 130 interns and associates in Kamylon’s structured approach to searching for attractive proprietary deals.
Lavin graduated with a B.A. in Business Management from Babson College with dual degrees in Finance and Accounting. In his spare time, he serves as an Alumni Admission Representative for his alma mater, Phillips Andover Academy, and enjoys giving back to his local community.
Lavin co-founded a company that provides high-quality products to the equestrian community.
Mentors
Team
Lakshmi Akula
Sr. Manager, Research & Data Quality
Executive Vice President
Zaheer Ali
Fund Administration Lead
Director, Fund Administration
Adam DePanfilis
Director of Fund Services
Director, Team Lead
Vamshi Krishna
Team Lead, Research & Data Quality
General Manager Operations & Service
Kranthi Kumar
Senior Research & Data Quality Analyst
Senior Research Analyst
Manikandan Kumar
Research & Data Quality Analyst
Research Analyst
Alexis Lelon
Investment Analyst
Wealth Strategy Associate, UBS
Oscar Martinez
Team Lead, Software Development
Founder
Cheryl Quinn
Management Company Lead
Director, Management Company
Sean Roberts
Tax Lead
Partner, Tax
Erik Stettler
Chief Data Scientist
Chief Economist, Toptal
Jason Tobon
Chief Financial Officer
Fund Controller, Cyrus Capital Partners
Searchers Wanted
If you’re a Searcher or would-be Searcher and would like to get to know us, upload whatever information you think would be appropriate to kick off the conversation (i.e., a deck, Private Placement Memo, or other materials).