Matt Behrens

About Matt Behrens

I\'m the Founder and Managing Partner of B2 Partners, a Phoenix-based private equity firm focused on lower middle market companies in the Southwest United States. We make direct equity investments in companies with $3-25 million in annual revenue, targeting growth partnerships, founder transitions, and operational turnarounds.Current Structure:We\'re investing on a deal-by-deal basis with committed capital from high net worth investors. This allows us to move quickly without fund timing constraints while building toward our first institutional fund.Track Record:13 years of private equity experience, including 8 years as Partner at a $1B+ single-family office where I sourced, executed, and managed direct equity investments across consumer, media, and service businesses. Active B2 Partners Investments:PlantBaby (organic, best-for-you plant-based milk)- Growth capital investment to support national retail rolloutOMS Group (designs and manufactures custom electrical, mechanical, and embedded computing solutions)- Preferred equity investment enabling a partner buyoutAs One Insurance (innovative health insurance development and distribution)- Growth capital investment to rapidly expand distributionOut of the Blue (coffee shops, bakery and restaurant)- Growth capital investment to open new locations of a popular coffee shopInvestment Focus:Check sizes:$1M-$10M equitySectors: Consumer goods, specialty manufacturing, business servicesGeography: Arizona and surrounding statesHold period: Patient capital; we like to exit when someone else can provide more value than we canFor Founders:We\'re operators, not just capital providers. We move quickly (30-60 day closes), structure deals creatively (preferred equity, growth capital, full buyouts), and stay hands-on through execution with financial infrastructure, sales growth, and operational improvements.For Investors:Deal-by-deal co-investment opportunities in Southwest lower middle market companies. Geographic concentration, operational value creation focus, transparent partnership with direct portfolio access, and clear path to institutional fund structure.Background:Prior to PE, spent 3 years in management consulting (Booz & Company) and 4 years as an engineer (General Dynamics). BS degrees in Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Economics from University of Arizona, MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.Based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Open to conversations with founders exploring transitions and investors interested in Southwest lower middle market opportunities.

Experience

1. Managing Partner

   B2 Partners

   Jul 2014 — Present · Phoenix, AZ, US

   Founded B2 Partners to invest in lower middle market companies across the Southwest United States. Currently making direct investments on a deal-by-deal basis with committed capital from high net worth investors, targeting growth partnerships, founder transitions, and operational turnarounds in the $3M-$25M revenue segment.Active B2 Partners Investments:PlantBaby (organic, best-for-you plant-based milk)- Growth capital investment to support national retail rolloutOMS Group (designs and manufactures custom electrical, mechanical, and embedded computing solutions)- Preferred equity investment enabling a partner buyoutAs One Insurance (innovative health insurance development and distribution)- Growth capital investment to rapidly expand distributionOut of the Blue (coffee shops, bakery and restaurant)- Growth capital investment to open new locations of a popular coffee shopInvestment Focus:Check sizes:$1M-$10M equitySectors: Consumer goods, specialty manufacturing, business services and othersGeography: Arizona and surrounding statesHold period: Patient capital; we like to exit when someone else can provide more value than we canValue Creation Focus:Financial infrastructure and reporting system implementationSales and channel expansion strategiesOperational efficiency and margin improvementManagement team development and succession planningBuy and build platform strategies

Education

• University of Arizona

  BS, Electrical Engineering, Business Economics, Mathematics

  2001 — 2005

• Thunderbird School of Global Management

  MBA, International Management and Strategy

  2009 — 2010

Skills

• Acquisition Integration
• Strategy Development
• Financial Modeling
• Competitive Analysis
• Operational Excellence
• Growth Strategies
• Strategic M&a
• Project Management
• Demand Forecasting
• Risk Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Strategy
• Process Improvement
• Business Development
• Change Management
• Strategic Planning
• Management
• Leadership
• Business Strategy
• Management Consulting
• Mergers & Acquisitions