Petra Capital Partners Profile: New Arkansas market participants, over 16 years of financing experience



Petra Capital Partners may be new to the Arkansas business scene, but the Nashville-based venture capital firm has not been shy about exploring its new territory since joining the Arkansas Institutional Fund (AIF) earlier this year.

"We're already actively seeking investment opportunities in Arkansas," Petra Partner Mike Blackburn said. "We're also a sponsor of the Arkansas Venture Forum and look forward to introducing ourselves to the local business community there."

AIF invests in proven, professionally managed venture capital funds that commit to include Arkansas in aggressive, visible deal prospecting. AIF made a $4.5 million commitment to the $160 million Petra Growth Fund II in April 2008. Other investors in Petra's second SBIC fund include Goldman Sachs and Bank of America.

Initial results have been positive, according to Blackburn. "We've been pleased with our initial reception thus far, and have already met with several Arkansas entrepreneurs building promising companies."

'We're interested primarily in health care and business services," Blackburn added. "Our team has been involved in financing 68 different companies over a 16 year period. We're looking for later stage growth companies with around $10 million in revenue who have reached break-even and need capital to expand, make an acquisition, or buy out a shareholder."

Petra wants to hear from Arkansas entrepreneurs, Blackburn indicated. "Please call us with any investment opportunities you have," he said. "We'd love to hear from you."

Register today for the November 19, 2008 conference so you can personally meet Petra representatives and other venture capitalists. The conference also will offer you an opportunity to connect with other professionals engaged in enhancing Arkansas's entrepreneurial environment as it grows and prospers. Don't delay make your reservations today for the 2008 Venture Conference.

Snapshot: Petra Growth Fund II

Petra Growth Fund II - vintage year 2007 makes commitments of up to $10 million as junior capital per company.

Regional Focus

Petra primarily prospects for deals in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest.

Investment Focus

Petra focuses on companies with at least $10 million in revenue and $1 million in EBITDA at time of investment. Petra seeks to finance expansion, recapitalization, acquisitions or buyouts for high growth and high margin companies.

Sector Focus

Petra target industries include software, healthcare, media, business outsourcing, and information services.

Contact
  • Michael Blackburn, Partner
  • Petra Growth Fund II
  • 3825 Bedford Avenue, Suite 101
  • Nashville, Tennessee 37215
  • Tel. 615-313-5999
About the Arkansas Institutional Fund

In an effort to strengthen the venture capital network in Arkansas and promote economic growth within the State, the Arkansas Institutional Fund (AIF) is authorized to invest in professionally managed venture capital funds that in turn make risk capital more accessible to promising Arkansas firms. AIF is a program of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority.

About the Arkansas Venture Conference

The goal of the Arkansas Venture Conference is to bring key resources together to help advance promising new Arkansas companies. The conference especially provides a centralized and resource rich opportunity for Arkansas's aspiring rural and urban entrepreneurs to meet other successful entrepreneurs, angel investors and a wide range of professionals with knowledge of how to match good ideas with development capital. Also, conference participants will have access to groundbreaking research, emerging technologies information and leaders of high-growth companies in Arkansas.