---
title: Chicago & Boston Private Equity Firm | HarborWind
description: A Chicago and Boston private equity firm that buys and holds founder-led industrial businesses for the long term. No fund clock. Start a conversation today.
image: https://harborwind.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/harborwind-partners/images/og-default.png
---
- [Home](https://harborwind.com/)
- [About](https://harborwind.com/about)
- [Team](https://harborwind.com/team)
- [Insights](https://harborwind.com/insights)
- Industry Focus
- [Our Investments](https://harborwind.com/portfolio)
- [Investment Criteria](https://harborwind.com/investment-criteria)
- [Niche Manufacturing](https://harborwind.com/niche-manufacturing)
- [Specialty Chemicals](https://harborwind.com/specialty-chemicals)
- [Industrial and Essential B2B Services](https://harborwind.com/b2b-services)
- [Portfolio](https://harborwind.com/portfolio)
[Start a Conversation](https://harborwind.com/contact)
Menu
[Home](https://harborwind.com/) [About](https://harborwind.com/about) [Team](https://harborwind.com/team) [Insights](https://harborwind.com/insights)
Industry Focus
[Our Investments](https://harborwind.com/portfolio) [Investment Criteria](https://harborwind.com/investment-criteria) [Niche Manufacturing](https://harborwind.com/niche-manufacturing) [Specialty Chemicals](https://harborwind.com/specialty-chemicals) [Industrial and Essential B2B Services](https://harborwind.com/b2b-services)
[Portfolio](https://harborwind.com/portfolio)
[Start a Conversation](https://harborwind.com/contact)
*Buy. Build. Compound.*
Private investment firm Chicago | Boston harborwind.com
Built from both sides
of the table
The firm
We acquire, transform, and hold founder-led businesses, preserving legacies while compounding value.
What we invest in
Founder-led businesses generating $2M–$8M EBITDA in niche manufacturing, specialty chemicals, and industrial and essential B2B services.
A HarborWind Partners firm profile
# Modernization is our thesis.
We acquire and hold controlling stakes in established, founder-led businesses that keep industry running.
Our thesis
Most private equity treats modernization as one line item on a long list of improvements. We built our strategy around it.
From the partners
## We built HarborWind to own differently.
Our job is to bring the operating capabilities and time to build on what works, alongside management and for the long term.
Sean Mahoney & Rocky Lopez
Managing Partners | HarborWind Partners
**Boston**24 School St, Second Floor
Boston, MA 02108
**Chicago**901 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 306
Chicago, IL 60607
**17**Acquisitions led by a HarborWind partner
**6 & 11**Platforms and add‑ons
**18**Years in the lower middle market
**$2M–$8M**EBITDA range we acquire
# Modernization is our thesis.
We acquire, transform, and hold founder-led businesses, preserving legacies while compounding value.
[Start a Conversation](https://harborwind.com/contact)[Our Investment Thesis](https://harborwind.com/investment-criteria)
[Niche Manufacturing](https://harborwind.com/niche-manufacturing) [Specialty Chemicals](https://harborwind.com/specialty-chemicals) [Industrial and Essential B2B Services](https://harborwind.com/b2b-services)
Acquisitions led by a HarborWind partner
17
Platforms and add‑ons
6 & 11
Years in the lower middle market
18
EBITDA range we acquire
$2M–$8M
The thesis
The next generation of value creation will come from better technology & systems, better leadership, and better succession decisions. We start earlier than most.
Featured read
## Why we buy founder-led businesses, and hold them.
Founder-led companies outperform. We wrote down why they do, and why we intend to hold the ones we buy.
[Read the article](https://harborwind.com/insights/why-we-buy-founder-led-industrial-businesses)
How we own
## Buy. Build. Compound.
### We buy founder-led industrial companies, most of them directly from their founders.
Rocky Lopez has led 17 acquisitions, 6 platforms and 11 add-ons. He bought most of those companies through relationships he built.
### We build with systems and technology from the start.
At a recycling plant, software that told forklift drivers which bale to pick raised quality 30 percent, almost eliminated breakages, and saved nearly $1M a month. A three-person procurement team, given software that priced 2 million SKUs, saved $3M in its first six months.
### We compound by holding the companies that keep growing.
We are long-term holders with no mandatory exit timeframe. We measure each company by the multiple of capital it returns over the hold.
What we think about
## If you’re thinking about selling, start here.
Then read what buyers are paying in your market, and where technology pays back in your sector. Every piece is public, and every piece is the same work we bring to a first conversation.
[Read the founder’s guide](https://harborwind.com/insights/founders-guide-selling-manufacturing-business)
- ### [The Sale Process What actually happens between deciding to sell and closing the deal.](https://harborwind.com/insights/founders-guide-selling-manufacturing-business)
- ### [Niche Manufacturing, 2026 What buyers are paying for manufacturers right now.](https://harborwind.com/insights/niche-manufacturing-ma-2026)
- ### [Specialty Chemicals, 2026 What buyers are paying for chemical companies right now.](https://harborwind.com/insights/specialty-chemicals-ma-2026)
- ### [Industrial and Essential B2B Services, 2026 What buyers are paying for services businesses right now.](https://harborwind.com/insights/industrial-services-ma-2026)
For Business Owners
## We’re private. We bring equity. We’re not private equity.
We grow what you built, with your people, in your town, under your name.
- A long ownership horizon.
- Experience as builders and as buyers.
- Investment your people can see.
[How We Work With Owners](https://harborwind.com/for-business-owners)
For Advisors and Intermediaries
## Send us one good deal. We intend to earn the next ten.
EBITDA
$2M–$8M
Revenue
Above $10M
Enterprise value
Under $75M
- A real answer on every CIM in five business days.
- An LOI within three weeks on deals that fit.
- Terms that hold from signature to wire.
[Send Us a Deal](https://harborwind.com/for-intermediaries)
Advising an owner who isn’t ready for a full process? [Start with how we work with owners.](https://harborwind.com/for-business-owners)
*Buy. Build. Compound.*
Continue the conversation
## The next step depends on where you sit.
HarborWind builds long-term relationships with owners, advisors, and aligned capital.
**01**
For business owners
### A permanent home for the company you built.
Learn how we approach succession, stewardship, and the people behind the business.
harborwind.com/for-business-owners
**02**
For advisors and intermediaries
### Built to be the buyer you call first.
See our criteria, process, and commitments to advisors and their clients.
harborwind.com/for-intermediaries
**03**
For capital providers and limited partners
### Invest alongside a firm built from both sides of the table.
Understand how HarborWind sources, underwrites, and builds enduring industrial businesses.
harborwind.com/contact
Start here
### Start a conversation.
**Email**hello@harborwind.com
**Chicago**901 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 306
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 449‑4963
**Boston**24 School St, Second Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 701‑4963
**Online**harborwind.com/contact
HarborWind Partners invests its own equity alongside other equity partners to fund acquisitions. Nothing in this document constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
**HarborWind Partners**Buy. Build. Compound.
## Ready to explore a partnership?
Whether you’re thinking about succession, a growth partnership, or simply curious, we’d love to have a first conversation.
[Start a Conversation](https://harborwind.com/contact)
Buy. Build. Compound.
## Firm
- [About](https://harborwind.com/about)
- [Team](https://harborwind.com/team)
- [Portfolio](https://harborwind.com/portfolio)
- [Media Kit](https://harborwind.com/media-kit)
## Approach
- [Investment Criteria](https://harborwind.com/investment-criteria)
- [For Business Owners](https://harborwind.com/for-business-owners)
- [For Advisors & Intermediaries](https://harborwind.com/for-intermediaries)
- [Selling Your Business](https://harborwind.com/selling-your-business)
## Sectors
- [Niche Manufacturing](https://harborwind.com/niche-manufacturing)
- [Specialty Chemicals](https://harborwind.com/specialty-chemicals)
- [Industrial and Essential B2B Services](https://harborwind.com/b2b-services)
## Writing
- [Insights](https://harborwind.com/insights)
- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/harborwind-partners)
## Offices
**Chicago**901 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 306
Chicago, IL 60607
[(312) 449‑4963](tel:+13124494963)
**Boston**24 School St, Second Floor
Boston, MA 02108
[(617) 701‑4963](tel:+16177014963)
HarborWind Partners invests its own equity alongside other equity partners to fund acquisitions. Nothing on this website constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
© 2026 HarborWind Partners
HarborWind Partners Buy. Build. Compound.
Close
## Start a Conversation
A member of our team will respond within one business day.
First Name \* Last Name \* Email \* Company Name \* Inquiry Type Select… Business Owner Intermediary (banker, broker, M&A advisor) Referrer (lawyer, accountant, advisor) Capital Partner Portfolio Sponsor / Portfolio Company Seller Other What you’re looking for \*
Leave this field blank
Send Message
Thank you.
A member of our team will be in touch within one business day.
Close
HarborWind Review
## The Review, sent selectively.
New editorials and occasional reading lists for owners and deal partners. No weekly publishing promise. No generic market recap.
Email address
Leave this field blank
Receive the Review
HarborWind editorials only. Unsubscribe at any time.
You’re subscribed.
Look for our next analysis in your inbox.
Close
## Coming soon
We’re putting the finishing touches on this film. Check back soon to watch it.
Close
## Introduce Yourself
No deal required. A partner will follow up to open the relationship.
First name \* Last name \* Firm \* Email \*
Leave this field blank
Introduce Yourself
Received.
A partner will follow up to open the relationship.
Something went wrong. Please email [hello@harborwind.com](mailto:hello@harborwind.com) directly.
Prefer email? Reach us at [hello@harborwind.com](mailto:hello@harborwind.com)
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@id" : "https://harborwind.com/#organization",
"@type" : "Organization",
"address" : {
"@type" : "PostalAddress",
"addressCountry" : "US",
"addressLocality" : "Chicago",
"addressRegion" : "IL",
"postalCode" : "60607",
"streetAddress" : "901 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 306"
},
"contactPoint" : [ {
"@type" : "ContactPoint",
"areaServed" : "US",
"contactType" : "Business Development",
"telephone" : "+16177014963",
"url" : "https://harborwind.com/contact"
}, {
"@type" : "ContactPoint",
"areaServed" : "US",
"contactType" : "Business Development",
"telephone" : "+13124494963",
"url" : "https://harborwind.com/contact"
} ],
"description" : "HarborWind Partners is a buyer and long-term owner of founder-led businesses in specialty chemicals, industrials and industrial services, and essential B2B services.",
"founder" : [ {
"@type" : "Person",
"jobTitle" : "Managing Partner",
"name" : "Sean Mahoney",
"sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmahoney"
}, {
"@type" : "Person",
"jobTitle" : "Managing Partner",
"name" : "Rocky Lopez",
"sameAs" : "https://www.linkedin.com/in/rocky-lopez"
} ],
"foundingDate" : "2026",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"height" : 120,
"url" : "//47778732.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/47778732/raw_assets/public/harborwind-partners/images/logo-horizontal.svg",
"width" : 600
},
"name" : "HarborWind Partners",
"sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/harborwind-partners", "https://pitchbook.com/profiles/investor/601705-45" ],
"url" : "https://harborwind.com"
}
```
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@id" : "https://harborwind.com/#website",
"@type" : "WebSite",
"description" : "A buyer and long-term owner of founder-led businesses in specialty chemicals, industrials and industrial services, and essential B2B services.",
"inLanguage" : "en-US",
"name" : "HarborWind Partners",
"publisher" : {
"@id" : "https://harborwind.com/#organization"
},
"url" : "https://harborwind.com"
}
```