Charlotte Angel Connection Episode 093: Richard Maclean, Co-Founder of Frontier Capital

Charlotte Angel Connection

Today, we have Richard Maclean joining us on the podcast. Richard is a co-founder of Frontier Capital – a Charlotte area growth equity firm he co-founded in 1999 with Andrew Lindner. Richard has seen Frontier Capital grow quickly over the years. Their second fund raised $115 million in 2007 and Fund V raised $700 million in 2017. They have started the process of raising capital for Fund VI and it will be exciting to see where they finish given their strong team and track record. So where do you start with a co-founder of a growth equity firm whose seen success for many portfolio companies as well as his own firm? We obviously start with the first check they ever wrote to a portfolio company. From there we dive into a number of great discussions. Richard discusses Frontier’s original business plan in 1999 and how it has changed. He speaks about the lessons learned from their first two investment funds and what it has been like seeing their subsequent funds grow into the company it is today. We discuss how the growth equity space has changed over the last twenty years. And we dive into the challenges of early stage investing, Frontier’s biggest struggles today, and the phases of growth. He also discusses competition, the importance of continuing to innovate, and of having the right team in place. We also touch base on some current events such as the WeWork IPO (prior to the collapse of the IPO) and how Charlotte has become a technology hub. What comes of it is a great discussion with a founder who has been doing growth equity since the dotcom bubble and is guiding his firm into their fourth decade as the calendar turns to 2020. Hope you enjoy today’s podcast with Richard Maclean. A little more on Frontier When Richard and Andrew founded Frontier, they wanted to create a different kind of private equity firm - one with a personality and a soul. Frontier now manages capital for some of the world’s most sophisticated institutional investors and is recognized nationally as a trusted partner and a leader in growth capital for middle market software and services companies. William Bissett is the owner of and an Investment Advisor Representative of Portus Wealth Advisors, a Registered Investment Adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Opinions expressed on this program do not necessarily reflect those of Portus Wealth Advisors. The topics discussed and opinions given are not intended to address the specific needs of any listener. Portus Wealth Advisors does not offer legal or tax advice, listeners are encouraged to discuss their financial needs with the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance. Investments described herein may be speculative and may involve a substantial risk of loss. Interests may be offered only to persons who qualify as accredited investors under applicable state and federal regulation or an eligible employee of the management company. There generally is no public market for the Interests. Prospective investors should particularly note that many factors affect performance, including changes in market conditions and interest rates, and other economic, political or financial developments. Past performance is not, and should not be construed as, indicative of future results.