Clearlake Capital: A Comprehensive Guide to the Company

Clearlake Capital is a leading private investment firm that specializes in leveraged buyouts, growth capital, and turnaround solutions. Founded in 2006 by Behdad Eghbali, Jose E. Feliciano, and Sukran Eren, the company has grown to become one of the most prominent private equity firms in the industry.

With a focus on investing in middle-market companies, Clearlake Capital has a proven track record of delivering strong returns for its investors. The firm's experienced team of investment professionals works closely with its portfolio companies to drive growth and profitability.

Clearlake Capital has a strong presence in the technology and software sectors, with investments in companies such as Hyland, a leading provider of enterprise content management solutions.

Clearlake Capital is a private investment firm that focuses on leveraged buyouts, growth capital, and special situations.

Founded in 2006 by Behdad Eghbali, José E. Feliciano, and Suzanne G. Clark, the firm has a long history of successful investments.

Clearlake Capital has invested in over 100 companies across various industries, including software, industrials, and consumer products.

The firm has a strong presence in the market, with over $20 billion in assets under management.

Clearlake Capital has a team of experienced professionals who work closely with portfolio companies to drive growth and value creation.

Clearlake Capital is a private investment firm that focuses on middle-market companies. They have a team of experienced investment professionals who work together to identify and invest in businesses that have strong growth potential.

Clearlake Capital's investment strategy is centered around the idea of "buy, build, and hold", where they acquire companies, build on their strengths, and then hold onto them for long-term growth. They have a proven track record of success in this area.

Clearlake Capital has made significant investments in various industries, including software, technology, and healthcare. Their investment in a leading software company led to a significant increase in revenue and profitability.

Clearlake Capital's financial information is not publicly disclosed, but we do know that they have raised over $20 billion in capital commitments from their limited partners. This funding has enabled them to make strategic investments in high-growth companies.

One notable example of Clearlake Capital's financial prowess is their ability to generate returns for their investors. According to their website, they have delivered returns of over 20% per annum to their investors.

Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. has completed the sale of TEAM Technologies, Inc. to an undisclosed buyer. This transaction marks a significant milestone for the company.

Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. has a history of successful exits, and this sale is no exception.

Clearlake Capital Group has completed the sale of TEAM Technologies, Inc. It's a significant transaction in the business world.

The buyer is Clearlake Capital Group, along with certain of its affiliates, who are collectively known as "Clearlake". Their involvement in this sale is worth noting.

Clearlake Capital Group has successfully sold TEAM Technologies, Inc. This is a notable achievement in the business world.

Iterative Scopes secured a significant funding in January 2022, co-led by Clearlake Capital Group and Insight Partners, along with existing investors.

The funding amount was $150 million, a substantial boost to the company's growth.

This investment came just after the company raised $30MM in a Series A round in August 2021.

In 2021, Iterative Scopes raised a total of $182MM, a remarkable achievement for the company.

The funding was allocated to accelerate the company's development of AI tech services and products.

Discovery Education is being acquired by a leading global learning company.

The acquisition is expected to enhance Discovery Education's offerings and reach in the education technology space.

The acquiring company has a strong track record of investing in education technology and has made several strategic acquisitions in recent years.

This acquisition is expected to be one of the largest in the education technology space in 2023.

The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023, pending regulatory approval.

The terms of the deal are not publicly disclosed.

Clearlake has a proven track record of partnering with experienced management teams to drive growth and innovation.

The firm has invested in Aptean, a global provider of industry-specific ERP and supply chain software, to support its ambition to accelerate innovation and global expansion.

Clearlake's investment is a testament to Aptean's commitment to delivering differentiated solutions to the market and its growth potential.

Aptean has served over 10,000 customers globally across more than 80 countries since its founding in 2012, and has advanced its cloud-based solutions and penetrated its presence in Europe and other global regions over the past 18 months.

Clearlake will join existing investors TA Associates, Insight Partners, and Charlesbank Capital Partners as shareholders in Aptean.

Investors who follow Clearlake Capital Group's portfolio may be interested in the company's holdings. Clearlake Capital Group holds 6 positions in its portfolio as reported in the December 2024 quarterly 13F filing.

The portfolio holdings include Blackbaud, which accounts for 58.8% of the portfolio's value at $721 million. Blackbaud's share count is 9.8 million, with a share price of $73.92.

Blackline is another notable holding, making up 28.3% of the portfolio's value at $347 million. The share count for Blackline is 5.7 million, with a share price of $60.76.

Clearlake Capital Group also holds a significant stake in Forward Air Corporation, which accounts for 10.1% of the portfolio's value at $123 million. Forward Air Corporation's share count is 3.8 million, with a share price of $32.25.

Grab Holdings Class A Ord is a smaller holding, making up only 2.1% of the portfolio's value at $26 million. The share count for Grab Holdings Class A Ord is 5.5 million, with a share price of $4.72.

Other notable holdings include Holley, which accounts for 0.7% of the portfolio's value at $8.3 million, and Grab Holdings *w Exp 99/99/999, which accounts for a negligible 0.0% of the portfolio's value at $204k.

Here are the portfolio holdings in a concise table format:

Clearlake Capital Group has made 63 investments across eight funds since its inception. They have a notable track record of successful deals, including Learfield, Fanatics, and Crash Champions.

Clearlake's investment approach is focused on partnering with experienced management teams in key sectors, such as technology, industrials, and consumer. They provide patient, long-term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from their operational improvement approach, O.P.S.

The firm has over $80 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 400 investments. This level of expertise and experience is a testament to Clearlake's commitment to delivering value to its portfolio companies.

Clearlake has partnered with existing investors, including TA Associates, Insight Partners, and Charlesbank Capital Partners, to support the growth of companies like Aptean.

Clearlake Capital offers a range of career opportunities across its various platforms, including its private equity and growth equity businesses.

The firm has a strong track record of investing in and growing companies, with a focus on the technology and industrials sectors. This has created a demand for skilled professionals in areas such as operations, finance, and technology.

Clearlake Capital's culture values collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, which is reflected in its employee benefits and professional development opportunities.

Clearlake Capital Group offers a job board where you can find open roles at the company. You can also explore job vacancies from other similar firms.

To get started, head over to their job board to see what's available. Clearlake Capital Group features job openings in Growth Equity and Venture Capital.

Their job board is a great resource to find opportunities that match your skills and interests.

When considering a career at Clearlake Capital Group, it's essential to understand the compensation package. Clearlake Capital Group provides a total median base pay of $122,512 per year to their associates.

The base pay can vary based on experience, education, and other factors determined by the firm. This means that your individual salary may differ from the median.

Clearlake Capital Group uses case studies to evaluate candidates' communication skills and technical knowledge.

They value financial modeling and investment recommendations in case studies.

For junior roles, a cold calling case study may also be part of the process.

I've discussed case studies in great detail inside my Growth Equity Interview Guide course.

The interview process at Clearlake Capital Group is quite structured. You can expect to go through 4-6 interview rounds.

Each round will have a different level of supervision, with initial interviews handled by junior professionals and later rounds supervised by more senior folks.

The entire process can last for multiple weeks, unless it's on-campus or on-cycle recruiting.

Here's a breakdown of what you can anticipate during the interview rounds:

We've had the opportunity to sit down with some industry experts and gain valuable insights into their interview processes. José E. Feliciano, Co-Founder at Clearlake Capital, shared his thoughts on the matter.

We've also had a discussion with Behdad Eghbali, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Clearlake Capital Group, where he provided his unique perspective on interviews.

Clearlake Capital has been a part of some notable interviews, including a conversation with José E. Feliciano and a discussion with Behdad Eghbali.

Here are some of the interviews we've had the chance to share:

The interview process at Clearlake Capital Group can be a bit lengthy and involve multiple rounds. You can expect 4-6 interview rounds in total.

The first few rounds are usually supervised by junior professionals, while the later rounds are handled by more senior folks. This is a common structure, but the specifics can vary depending on the candidate and the role.

The entire process can take multiple weeks to complete, especially if it's not on-campus or on-cycle recruiting. Be prepared to spend some time waiting for responses and preparing for the next round.

Here's a breakdown of what you can expect from the interview process:

Keep in mind that the process can vary, but this gives you a general idea of what to expect.

Clearlake Capital Group is a firm that stood out to me because of its impressive team and leadership. José Feliciano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, has a wealth of knowledge and experience that makes the firm a great place to work.

Researching the firm and its founders is crucial to answering the "Why this firm" question. I learned a lot by listening to interviews with the management team and investors.

The "Why this firm" question is a common one in job interviews, and being prepared is key. You can start by doing your homework and researching the firm's history and values.

Clearlake Capital Group has a strong reputation in the industry, and its founders are passionate about what they do. This is evident in the way they speak about their work and the firm's mission.