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Argentum Successfully Exits its Investment in LAUNCH
New York, NY, February 11, 2025 – Argentum is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, LAUNCH, the leading provider of aviation technical workforce solutions and services to many of the world’s largest airlines, OEMs, and MROs, has received a majority investment from Capitol Meridian Partners (CMP). Based in Washington DC and cofounded by Adam Palmer, the former head of Global Aerospace and Defense at The Carlyle Group, Capitol Meridian Partners is a specialist private equity firm with deep expertise in the aviation sector. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“Argentum has been a key partner that’s directly contributed to LAUNCH’s buy-and-build strategy, rapid growth, and resounding success,” said Mike Guagenti, Co-Founder and CEO of LAUNCH. “From originating several of our pivotal acquisitions and partnerships, to providing valuable strategic guidance and advice as active members of our board, Argentum has consistently delivered levels of value-add and business development support that have far exceeded what our team expected from a minority investment partner.”
Jean Rollo, Co-Founder and President of LAUNCH, added, “As a truly founder-friendly value-added partner, Argentum worked endlessly and in close coordination with the LAUNCH team to accelerate the company’s growth, expand its capabilities, source acquisitions, and help us build a market leader – all while empowering and trusting LAUNCH’s founders to maintain majority ownership and operational autonomy.”
Ian Rollo, Co-Founder and current Chairman of LAUNCH, said, “We were bootstrapped and profitable, without any desire or need for outside investment – however Argentum committed to bring much more to LAUNCH than just capital, and they delivered. Our partnership with Argentum has been a force multiplier and significant contributor to LAUNCH’s tremendous success.”
“Partnering with the LAUNCH team has been a rewarding and enjoyable experience,” said Daniel Raynor, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Argentum. “We are proud to have contributed towards the founders achieving their original objective of building the leading workforce solutions provider to the aviation industry. The company successfully executed a dual strategy of driving rapid organic growth and making strategic acquisitions, resulting in EBITDA increasing over sevenfold (7x) during our holding period. We are excited for the LAUNCH team to continue this success with their new partners.”
“It’s been our privilege serving as LAUNCH’s partner, and we appreciate the trust that co-founders Mike, Jean, and Ian invested in Argentum,” added Chris Leong, Partner at Argentum. “We congratulate the entire LAUNCH team on achieving an outstanding outcome, and wish the company continued success in its next chapter of growth with CMP.”
About Argentum
Argentum is a New York-based growth equity firm that has helped scale bootstrapped B2B software, tech-enabled and business services companies for over 30 years. The firm invests in businesses that are generating $5 million to $50 million in revenues, providing capital to accelerate growth, fund acquisitions and / or generate shareholder liquidity. Argentum has invested in over 100 companies, supported more than 200 add-on acquisitions, been named to Inc.’s list Founder-Friendly Investors list for multiple years, and received the U.S. SBA’s SBIC of the Year award. Argentum fills the growing gap between early-stage venture capital investors and later stage growth equity firms by targeting capital-efficient companies seeking $5 million to $15 million of equity capital.
About LAUNCH
At LAUNCH, our mission is to partner with our clients to deliver innovative technical workforce solutions and services to the aviation industry. Additionally, LAUNCH TEAMS, operating under our Part 145 Repair Station Certificate, combines accomplished leadership with expert technicians for project-based solutions to execute your maintenance and modification programs. Our commitment to strong alliances has helped us develop a pipeline of mechanics and technicians for today and the future of aviation maintenance.