RKCA Investment Banking

In 2020, John Herman met with Brent Rippe, Tom Compton, and Mono Bhattacharya to introduce the concept of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (“EOS”), which changed the trajectory of our firm. Since then, EOS has become part of the RKCA Way for our clients and portfolio companies. John and folks like Kevin Rains have become trusted advisors and friends. We are thrilled to sponsor the We Run on EOS Cincinnati event at MadTree Brewing Company in Oakley on November 18th. Business owners and leaders, we hope to see you there and share some progress updates on our story! Here’s what is on the agenda: CONNECT with other like-minded leaders who are on the EOS journey   GET CONTENT through keynotes, panels, and breakouts led by local EOS Implementers CELEBRATE and engage in Cincinnati’s EOS momentum Our new Head of Build-to-Sale, Carter Gaither will also be there. Make sure to say hello! //DISCLAIMER: Securities services are offered through RKCA, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. All other services are offered through RKCA Services, LLC. Investing involves the risk of loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gabizcrd

We are pleased to announce that Campfire Interactive Inc. ("Campfire"), a leading provider of enterprise software solutions for manufacturing companies and automotive suppliers, has secured a $37 million majority investment from Invictus Growth Partners ("Invictus"). The transaction closed in September 2024. This investment marks a key milestone for Campfire and will support its continued growth, accelerate product innovation, and expand its market reach.   "This investment marks a pivotal moment for Campfire, enabling us to better serve our base of automotive suppliers with expanded product and support capabilities while growing our business within supply chains of other manufacturing sectors," said Daniel Meyer, CEO of Campfire. ”The RKCA team has been a great operating partner over the last four years and played a pivotal role in facilitating this investment. We look forward to the continued partnership.” The Company is trusted by many of the world's largest global manufacturers to manage forecasting and profitability analytics, with over $200 billion in revenue managed through the platform. “We are impressed with what Pradeep, Dan, and the Campfire team have achieved during our ownership,” said Brent Rippe, Managing Partner at RKCA. “With this new investment and Invictus on board as a partner, the Company can accelerate its growth trajectory, further expand its product offering, and increase the value created for its customers.” RKCA provided capital raise advisory to Campfire and has been a majority investor in Campfire since 2020. The deal team was comprised of Brent Rippe (Managing Partner), Anthon Østergaard (Senior Associate), and Colton T. Markland (Analyst) DISCLAIMER The persons providing the testimonials on this website have experience in the services that RKCA, Inc. provided. Their respective experience with RKCA, Inc. may not be representative of all other Clients of RKCA, Inc. Testimonials are not paid for by RKCA, Inc. Testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of future performance or success related to any product, transaction or service.   This information should not be construed as a recommendation, offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy a particular security or investment strategy. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for accounting, legal, or tax advice. Though the information is deemed reliable, there is no guarantee of accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose and there is no warrantee with regard to the results to be obtained from its use.     ©Copyright RKCA. All rights reserved. RKCA, Inc. is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. All securities transactions are conducted through RKCA, Inc. Non-securities engagements are conducted through RKCA Services, LLC. Investing involves the risk of loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

We are pleased to announce that Carter Gaither joined the RKCA team as the Managing Director of the firm’s newly created pre-transaction advisory practice, the Build-to-Sale (“BTS”) group. Carter brings experience working on value growth strategies with founder-led and owner-operated businesses, most recently with Camargo Pharmaceutical Services. His background of positioning founder led and expansion stage companies for growth is a complimentary asset to RKCA’s transactional advisory services. “We are thrilled to welcome Carter to our team,” said Brent Rippe, Managing Partner at RKCA. “His attention to detail, willingness to take ownership, and determination align perfectly with our company’s values and objectives. We are confident that his leadership will propel BTS and reinforce our position as an industry leader." BTS will work with business owners and their companies as they face obstacles to growth and before they are ready for RKCA’s core transactional services. The group's main objective is to assist in creating a highly functional organization that is well-positioned for its next phase. //DISCLAIMER- The persons providing the testimonials on this website have experience in the services that RKCA, Inc. provided. Their respective experience with RKCA, Inc. may not be representative of all other Clients of RKCA, Inc. Testimonials are not paid for by RKCA, Inc. Testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of future performance or success related to any product, transaction or service.   This information should not be construed as a recommendation, offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy a particular security or investment strategy. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for accounting, legal, or tax advice. Though the information is deemed reliable, there is no guarantee of accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose and there is no warrantee with regard to the results to be obtained from its use.     © Copyright RKCA. All rights reserved. RKCA, Inc. is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. All securities transactions are conducted through RKCA, Inc. Non-securities engagements are conducted through RKCA Services, LLC. Investing involves the risk of loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

We are pleased to announce the successful sale of ASAP Garage Door Repair, Inc., a leading service provider and distributor of garage doors, garage door parts, and operators in Illinois and Wisconsin. The transaction closed in June 2024. “From our initial meeting with the RKCA team. I was impressed with their experience and professionalism. After spending 16 months working with them, I am now even more impressed with the team. The RKCA team prepared us for the road ahead and helped make the process as stress-free as possible,” said Aaron Poling of ASAP. “We could not have made it through this process without their guidance. I would recommend RKCA to anyone looking to go down the road of selling their life’s work. I feel they found the perfect partner to continue our company’s legacy.” ASAP was founded in 1993 by Aaron and Shelly Poling, a husband-and-wife team. Aaron's grandfather and father were in the garage door business. This makes Aaron a third-generation "garage door guy" and Aaron's son, Aaron Poling Jr., who runs the company's Eagle River, Wisconsin location, a fourth generation. ASAP is headquartered in Huntley, Illinois.  ASAP was acquired by Centerfield Equity, the lower middle market control equity investing arm of Centerfield Capital Partners. “We are honored that Aaron and Shelly chose RKCA to help them realize their life's work of over 30 years and maintain their legacy via the management team and ASAP name,” said Eric Knight Hornung, Director and COO of RKCA. "Aaron, Shelly, and the ASAP management team were all a pleasure to work alongside to close this transaction. Congratulations to Centerfield for partnering with a fantastic organization." Ross Bextermueller of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK Law) acted as seller's counsel through the transaction. //DISCLAIMER: See comment below

We're hiring! Join the team at RKCA as we look to help business owners realize their life's work.

Join us in congratulating Eric Langen on his promotion to Senior Analyst at RKCA! //Disclaimer: Securities services are offered through RKCA, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. All other services are offered through RKCA Services, LLC. 

Join us in congratulating Justin Hollon on his promotion to Associate at RKCA! //Disclaimer: Securities services are offered through RKCA, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. All other services are offered through RKCA Services, LLC. 

We are excited to welcome Anthon Østergaard to RKCA! Anthon brings M&A experience from both the sell-side and buy-side. He began his career working at financial institutions Goldman Sachs and Nordea in Europe, where he worked on a diverse range of private equity and equity capital markets transactions. He later joined an investment company in Copenhagen, where he completed investments in private equity, venture capital and public equities. Anthon is a graduate HEC Paris and holds a MSc in International Finance. Anthon also holds a BSc in International Business from Copenhagen Business School, which included a stint at the University of Southern California. //Disclaimer: Securities services are offered through RKCA, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. All other services are offered through RKCA Services, LLC. 

We are excited to welcome Eric Langen to RKCA! Eric began his career at RSM in Nashville, TN, in its Transaction Advisory Services group. There, he served as a generalist, performing both buy-side and sell-side financial due diligence on middle-market companies throughout the United States. His prior transaction experience includes manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services for private and public sectors. Eric Langen is a Cincinnati native and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business graduate. He holds a BSB in Finance and Accounting. //Disclaimer: Securities services are offered through RKCA, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. All other services are offered through RKCA Services, LLC. 

We are excited to welcome Colton T. Markland to RKCA! Colton began his career at Whitaker Bank Corporation (WBC) in Lexington, KY, as part of the Commercial Lending Group, where he played a vital role in the approval and underwriting of large commercial loans. His expertise in this area set the foundation for his move to WBC's Internal Audit team, where he focused on financial operations and risk management. While in the Audit group, Colton was instrumental in safeguarding $2 billion in assets and worked closely with bank management to enhance audit outcomes. Colton holds a BSBA in Finance from Asbury University's Dayton School of Business. We’re thrilled to have him on board and look forward to his impact at RKCA! //Disclaimer: Securities services are offered through RKCA, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. All other services are offered through RKCA Services, LLC.