Shackleton Growth is a unique investment firm that aims to acquire one adventure travel company and grow it over the very long-term. We bring committed capital, leadership talent & experienced advisors together to steer your business into the future.
Dan Taylor
Founder and Managing Partner
I'm an experienced business leader. I founded a marketing data business, scaled Wayfair's private label operations to more than $200 million in revenue, and provided financial support to hundreds of small businesses across the country.
But more importantly, I'm also an adventurer. Whether kayaking, kitesurfing, or backpacking, adventure is in my DNA.
I've combined my passions for business and adventure to dedicate to the greatest journey of all: leading your company into the next generation.
Henry Davis
Founder and Managing Partner
I'm passionate about helping founders and investors build exceptional businesses. Over the course of my career, I've advised companies across sports, media and live experiences on acquisitions and strategic growth initiatives.
Outside of work, I love the outdoors and the adventures that bring people together. I've hiked more than 150 miles through the Himalayas, summited Mount Rainier, and continue to seek new challenges around the world. These experiences have shaped my belief that the greatest accomplishments are rarely achieved alone.
I've been fortunate to combine my professional expertise with industries I'm genuinely passionate about, and to meet founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders whose passion and ambition continue to inspire me.
What we are all about
Long-Term Commitment
The most worthy goals are also the hardest. It takes years of concerted effort to achieve goals -- the results are not measured over a day, a month, or a year, but over decades. We launched Shackleton Growth to achieve this sustained effort in one small/ mid-size business.
Sustainable Growth
Some buyers out there like to buy companies to flip them. That's not us. Our goal is to grow your business over three to four decades. Inch by inch, mile by mile, the goal is to take a strong, small company and turn it into an even stronger one for the long-term.
Bottomless Passion
We love building companies and our passion for adventure travel fuels us. We want to wake up every day and harness the full extent of our energy to grow your business. All that energy we spend on kitesurfing, hiking, and kayaking? We want to spend it on your company instead.
We endeavor to acquire a single adventure travel company between $1 and $5 million of pre-tax net profit (EBITDA) in the United States.
Owner goals
We plan to take active leadership roles with the business, so we're best suited for business owners selling in order to retire or step back from the day-to-day. If this sounds like you, we hope to help you achieve 3 things-
1) Create a strong financial outcome for you to sell or retire.
2) Maintain your business success and continue your legacy as an entrepreneur.
3) Take care of your employees, customers, and the community you've built.
Company Size
We are focused on companies with pre-tax net profit between $1 million and $5 million. That's a sweet spot where we can put our skills to use.
Industry
We've worked with business owners across hundreds of industries, and we are looking for a great business with an owner who is ready to move on to their own "next" adventure.
Geography
We are focused on growth regions of the United States and open to the right growing business in nearly any US location.
Why the name Shackleton?
Ernest Shackleton is one of the most celebrated explorers of all time. He rallied a crew to sail with him on four daring expeditions to the Arctic--one of which saw them lose their boat to the ice, but not a single life was lost as he led the team North for over a year.
Like Ernest Shackleton, our goal is to rally people - to serve both customers and employees.
Because we can sail a company further together than we ever could apart.
