Solano Ventures is a $40 million investment fund devoted primarily to smaller and midsize companies in Arizona. Stephen McConnell is the principal of the fund. Solano Ventures seeks to invest in the following:

100% of a company for sale;
Bridge loans;
Majority control in partnership with management;
Mezzanine debt.

Deal size $1 - $20 million purchase price
Arizona - headquartered business
A business that services existing demand for a product or service (as opposed to a business that must “create” demand)
Unwilling to assume material environmental or legal risk
Willing to consider turnarounds

Management willing to stay on and participate in new company
Industry preferences include:
- Light manufacturing
- Distribution or wholesale
- High value added service businesses

Arizona

Wholesale lumber distributor and custom door manufacturer
Property tax appeal service provider
Internet service provider
Health care software systems
Food company software systems
Sales tax and HR software systems
Paper shredding business
Mobile storage container and mobile office leasing
Restaurants
Hotels
HVAC installers and servicing
Custom window manufacturing and installation
Real Estate Title business
Business equipment servicing
Professional hockey league and sports facilities development
Civil engineering company
Avionics and aerospace equipment manufacturer

Electron microscope manufacturer
Branded tea manufacturer and distributor
Drug test kit manufacturer and distributor
Cable TV system
CRM software provider
Cybersecurity software systems
Water systems distributor
Health care provider
Chemical recycling business
Cable and wireless system installer
Real estate development company
Real estate brokerage company
Landscape design and installation
PEO organization
High-end spa management company
Automobile leasing and sales company
Family entertainment centers

Other States

Lawn care equipment manufacturer in CO
Engineered wood beam manufacturer in UT
Printed circuit board manufacturer in MA
Grocery stores in TX
Medical equipment manufacturer in VA

Wood products manufacturer and distributor in the educational and hobby markets in IN
Food distributor in FL
Trucking insurance business in NJ
Kiosk manufacturer in CO
Specialty equipment manufacturer for police cars in IN

Stephen McConnell

President

Stephen formed Solano Ventures in 1990, investing in a variety of businesses primarily in Arizona and surrounding states. Transactions have included management buy-outs, restructuring, mezzanine capital, growth capital, turnarounds, and debt purchases. Prior to that, Mr. McConnell spent 10 years at N-W Group, Inc, the last six as CEO of this publicly-traded real estate and oil & gas operation in Canada and the U.S. Stephen started his career at Warburg, Pincus in New York City in what is known today as private equity investing. Mr. McConnell grew up in Boston and attended Harvard College and Harvard Business School.

Courtney McConnell

Investor

Courtney joined Solano Ventures in 2020. She has invested in several companies throughout the Southwest and she's actively looking at different businesses to buy and operate herself. Prior to that, she spent 10 years living in San Francisco, working in tech in executive operations. Courtney grew up in Paradise Valley, AZ and attended Santa Clara University.

Dan Robinson

CFO

Dan Robinson has been a CFO, Financial Controller, and Fund Manager in a variety of industries and has worked with Private Equity and Venture Capital funds since 2002. He has worked closely with entrepreneurs, political leaders, and many financial institutions. He has a BS of Accounting, and an MBA degree. He is also a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), and a Certified Merger and Acquisition Advisor (CM&AA). His CVA and CM&AA experience includes the following areas: Succession Planning, Mergers and Acquisitions, Business Financing. Mr. Robinson has completed M&A transactions in the US, UK, and Central America.

SOLANO VENTURES