VHC (Velvet Hammer Capital) is a family-owned private equity firm and active business acquisition company based in Jupiter, Florida, partnering with founders and business owners across West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, South Florida, and beyond. As a trusted acquisition partner for founders, we specialize in business acquisitions, recapitalizations, and succession planning for privately held, family-owned, and founder-run companies.
A Different Kind of Acquisition Firm
Most business acquisition companies are built around a single goal: buy low, sell high, move on. VHC is built differently. As a patient capital investment firm, we approach every acquisition opportunity as the start of a long-term partnership — not a transaction to be flipped. Whether you're exploring a full business acquisition, a partial acquisition, a recapitalization, or simply want to understand how to sell your business, we bring the same commitment: real partnership, real capital, and real respect for what you've built.
We don't just fund businesses, we invest in people.
What We Look For in an Acquisition
VHC is an active acquirer of small businesses and lower middle market companies, with a focus on:

• Founder-owned and family-owned businesses exploring a business owner exit strategy

• Established, profitable companies with strong leadership and reliable operations

• Essential service businesses that communities depend on every day

• Owners seeking a capital partner for growth, not just a buyer looking to exit fast

If you're a business owner asking "who buys small businesses", exploring "how to sell my business," or searching for a private equity firm that keeps founders involved, VHC is built for exactly that conversation.
Our Acquisition Approach
Every acquisition at VHC starts with the founder, not the spreadsheet. Before we talk numbers, we want to understand what you've built, why you built it, and what matters most to you in a transition — whether that's your team staying intact, your name staying on the door, or simply knowing the business is in good hands.
Our approach includes:

• Patient capital. We invest for the long term, not a quick flip or fast resale.

• Founder-friendly structure. Sellers can stay involved, transition gradually, or step back entirely — the deal is built around what works for you.

• Operational support. Post-acquisition, we bring hands-on expertise to help the business grow, not just financial oversight.

• A steady, disciplined process. No black-box negotiations — we communicate clearly at every step of the acquisition process.

Types of Transactions We Consider
VHC evaluates a range of acquisition opportunities, including:

• Full business acquisitions — complete ownership transitions for founders ready to exit

• Partial acquisitions and recapitalizations — liquidity for owners who want to stay involved

• Succession planning transactions — for family-owned businesses navigating generational transitions

• Growth capital partnerships — for companies that aren't ready to sell but need capital to scale

Why Business Owners Choose VHC for an Acquisition Partner

• Family-owned, not fund-driven. We invest our own capital, so we're not on an artificial timeline to exit.

• South Florida roots, national reach. Headquartered in Jupiter, Florida, and active across West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, and South Florida, while evaluating opportunities nationwide.

• A team with real operating experience. Our board and leadership bring decades of experience building, scaling, and exiting businesses themselves.

Ready to Explore an Acquisition?
If you're a founder or business owner considering a sale, a partial acquisition, a recapitalization, or simply want to understand your options, we'd love to have the conversation. Pitch us your business or contact VHC today to start the conversation.