NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BluWave, the Business Builders’ Network that connects the private equity industry with best-in-class talent, industry consultants and service providers, today announced Access Holdings as its 2024 Top Private Equity Innovator of the Year*.
BluWave’s third annual Top Private Equity Innovator Awards recognize the top 2% of private equity firms that differentially embrace modern private equity firm operations, proactive due diligence, transformative value creation and corporate citizenship practices.
The Top Private Equity Innovator awardees were selected by a cross-functional selection committee that assessed candidates in consultation with a broad universe of limited partners, investment bankers, industry thought leaders and service providers in the private equity ecosystem. As part of its selection process, the selection committee evaluated more than 5,000 private equity firms and utilized more than 75 different factors, incorporating more than 400,000 data points.
The Top Private Equity Awards selection committee chose Access Holdings as the PE firm that most exemplified the award’s criteria.
The selection committee was impressed by Access Holdings’ private equity firm operations, noting how its management company in many ways mirrors how best-in-class portfolio companies are equipped. Access Holdings has modern, digitally-enabled facilities including its Access Research Center and Access Acceleration Center. Its internal team has functional expertise spanning not only prospective investment assessment capabilities but also data and analytics, operations, strategic planning, human capital, digital marketing, sales, capital markets and communications, among others.
Access takes a research- and data-first approach that enables the firm to identify and select markets where they have a differentiated ability to compete and create value. This focused approach enables Access to bring unique expertise to new investments and inform its value creation plans. At the same time, Access is nurturing its next generation of portfolio company executives through its Access Creating Executives (ACE) program, which provides mentorship and training to high-potential future business leaders.
The selection committee also observed Access Holdings’ transformative approach to value creation. Once an investment is made, the firm leverages its multifaced internal capabilities, technology and an ecosystem of ready-to-lead ACE executives to accelerate the growth, development and transformation of its portfolio companies. In addition, Access leverages proprietary data, analytical capabilities and digital acumen to support rapid and informed top-line revenue growth.
Finally, Access Holdings appreciates the value of corporate citizenship. The firm has built a proprietary framework that purposefully identifies areas in which its portfolio companies can impact not only its limited partners but also its broader stakeholders and communities. Each portfolio company is then measured and supported in its efforts to make a difference.
“For over a decade, we have endeavored to do things differently,” said Kevin McAllister, Access Holdings’ Founder and Managing Partner. “By listening to and learning from our partners, we have developed contemporary technologies and research capabilities that scale and innovate our partner companies into market leaders. Access Holdings is honored to be recognized as this year’s Top Private Equity Innovator.”
The Top Private Innovator Awards are distinctive in that they involve no financial obligations from any participants and the selection process is independent of any customer relationships.
“We are proud to name Access Holdings as this year’s Top Private Equity Innovator of the Year for its forward-looking leadership, emphasis on transformative value creation, and corporate citizenship,” said Sean Mooney, founder and CEO of BluWave. “Access Holdings is setting the standard in private equity and provides an excellent example of how PE is innovating, creating value and fueling economic growth and development.”
As the go-to connector of private equity-grade resources for the due diligence and value creation needs of the business builders of PE, BluWave has a one-of-a-kind perspective that enables it to uniquely understand best practices and innovation in the private equity industry. For further information on the BluWave 2024 Top Private Equity Innovator Awards, including the selection process, criteria and recipients, please visit bluwave.net/awards.
About Access Holdings
Access Holdings Management Company LLC is a Baltimore-based, digitally enabled middle market investment firm with offices in Baltimore, Md. and New York, N.Y. and has approximately $2.9 billion in assets under management. Founded in 2013, Access Holdings was a non-fund sponsor until its first fund in 2020. It provides high-quality, direct investment opportunities to create concentrated portfolios of essential service-based businesses in North America. It undertakes active build and buy strategies, pursuing what it wants to own, great markets and distinct business models. In doing so, Access partners with and supports exceptional, passionate, visionary leaders to scale and innovate businesses. For more information, please visit www.accessholdings.com.
About BluWave
BluWave is the Business Builders’ Network for private equity-grade service provider needs. The company’s platform combines AI, technology and data with concierge-like consultative support to expertly connect businesses with proven providers across due diligence, value creation and prep for sale. The BluWave Vetted™ network is an invite-only ecosystem of top-tier service-providing groups and individuals. Based in Nashville, Tenn., BluWave ranks as one of America’s fastest-growing companies and today serves hundreds of leading private equity firms and their thousands of portfolio companies.
Visit BluWave.net to learn more.
*BluWave, LP has not received investment capital from and holds no ownership interest in the PE firms evaluated or recognized under the PE Innovator awards program. BluWave received no compensation from any of the PE firms in connection with this awards program. However, BluWave may otherwise provide services to the PE firms and/or portfolio companies, but BluWave confirms that its assessment of the PE firms was independent of any such service arrangements. Top 2% in the PE industry is based on BluWave’s review of the more than 5,000 PE firms in the U.S. and Canada from which the 82 PE firms were selected as award recipients.
