James Cook

About James Cook

James Cook is a Founding Partner of K2 Growth Partners. James is responsible for all activities of the firm, including deal origination, portfolio company management, and the overall management of the firm.Prior to co-founding K2GP, James was an Associate and Vice President at Blackford Capital from 2014 to 2019. During his time at Blackford Capital James led the firm’s Portfolio Company Operations Team and was responsible for managing the firms value creation, oversight, governance, and cross-portfolio initiatives. Additionally, James managed four platform investments, where he held board roles and worked with management teams from the due diligence process through the exit to help promote growth, efficiency and the overall success of the business. Over the course of his time at Blackford, James completed nine transactions with a total value in excess of $175 million. Prior to Blackford, James worked in a variety of managerial roles at Hastings Manufacturing Company, which was a portfolio company of The Anderson Group and RFE Investment Partners during his tenure.

Experience

1. Founding Partner

   K2 Growth Partners

   Jan 2019 — Present

   K2 Growth Partners exists to invest in and build industry-leading businesses with a long-term mindset. Our firm invests in family or founder-owned Companies with up to $100MM of annual revenue. We have experience investing in a wide range of industries, but generally focus on manufacturing, business services, and distribution companies serving industrial end markets. We have the flexibility to invest in both distressed and successful businesses, and to invest across multiple transaction structures including majority-control equity or growth capital. To obtain more information, feel free to visit our website:

Education

• University of Michigan Business School

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

• Hobart and William Smith Colleges

  Bachelor's Degree