Badger Hill
   Growth Partners
Badger Hill Growth Partners

We buy and grow
exceptional businesses.

We buy and grow
   exceptional businesses.

Sell your company and chart a bright future - for the business, your team, and your customers.
Sandro Mina
Managing Partner
Relay Investments
Reach new heights with Badger Hill Growth Partners
ABOUT

A Better Way

Badger Hill was founded to help business owners shepherd their company into the next chapter of growth. We partner with owners to unlock the wealth in their company while preserving — and growing — their legacy.

Our Purpose

Our Purpose

To preserve your culture, serve our future customers and employees, and continue growing your business.

Who We Are

Who We Are

Entrepreneurs with deep experience working with owners, getting deals done, and growing companies. We have a long-term mindset and aim to build on the legacy created by prior owners.

Our Approach

Our Approach

Straightforward, fair, and flexible. We move quickly, offer reasonable prices, and tailor deals to meet everybody’s goals. Note that our model works best for owners ready to transition company leadership to the trusted entrepreneurs at Badger Hill.

Team

A Decade in the Making

Derick and Luther met in 2012 as classmates in Stanford University’s MBA program. They’ve been trading ideas and advice — and some fantasy football trash talk — ever since.

As Derick and Luther built careers in the world of private equity — Luther as an investor and Derick as an operator — they both came to the same conclusion… There must be a better way to acquire and scale great businesses — without excessive cost-cutting, loads of debt, and short-term decision-making.

Derick and Luther built Badger Hill as an alternative for owners ready to exit their business but looking to avoid the downsides of traditional buy-out firms. We operate with an entrepreneurial spirit, people-first values, and a long-term mindset.

Partner

Luther Gatewood

Luther grew up in Oklahoma. He learned about small business at an early age working alongside his grandmother and mother on their family ranch and interacting with business leaders in his hometown of Vinita.

He studied Applied Math in college, and he started his career in investment banking. Over the next several years, with a two-year respite to earn his MBA, he has worked as a professional investor helping to grow companies.

Luther has decided to embark on this entrepreneurial journey with Derick to help your business with its next stage of growth. They have a shared vision for a culture in which team members can do meaningful work and lead purposeful lives.

Luther earned his bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Harvard College and received his M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he met Derick.

Luther Gatewood, Partner at Badger Hill Growth Partners
Partner

Luther Gatewood

Dachshund dad, Oklahoma native, and tinned fish connoisseur. Enjoys sci-fi novels almost as much as closing deals.

LinkedIn for Luther

Luther Gatewood

Partner

Derick Stace-Naughton

Prior to launching Badger Hill Growth Partners, Derick established a highly successful track record operating private equity-backed business services companies.

Most recently Derick served as Chief Operating Officer at Quixote Studios. There he was charged with driving overall business growth and led a wide array of business functions. During Derick's tenure at Quixote Studios, EBITDA grew more than 5x and the company sold for $360M. Variety named Derick one of "Hollywood's New Leaders" in 2022.

Derick also served as Chief Operating Officer of Production Resource Group’s entertainment division ($300M annual revenue). Prior to that, Derick held several leadership roles at VER and served on the senior executive team that led VER's successful restructuring and sale for ~$500M.

Derick began his career at The Boston Consulting Group. He has also served as an assistant to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and on the Board of Directors of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation.

When not working Derick can be found playing racquetball and spending time with family.

Derick holds an MBA from Stanford, an MSc from the University of Ulster where he studied as a Mitchell Scholar, and a BA from Georgetown University where he was recognized as his class Marshal.

Luther Gatewood, Partner at Badger Hill Growth Partners
Partner

Derick Stace-Naughton

Father, husband, two-time trivia night champion. Bruce Springsteen enthusiast. Put on this earth to find and grow great companies.

LinkedIn for Luther

Luther Gatewood

Investors

A $1 Billion+ Collective

Badger Hill has assembled a truly outstanding consortium of capital partners. (Seriously, if backing entrepreneurs was a sport… these would be the ‘27 Yankees. Or - since Derick is from Wisconsin - the ‘96 Packers.)

These investors have deployed capital to Badger Hill and collectively control over $1 Billion in assets.

Peterson Partners
M2O
Legate Partners
Relay Investments
Next Coast
Search Fund Partners
BK Growth
Applied Equity
Granite Point Partners
TD
Brown Robin Partners
Ashford Venture Partners
Hadley Family Capital
Newbury Franklin
Estelio Equity Partners
Testimonials

You’re in Good Company

We do business with integrity, commitment, and a sense of fun…but don’t take our word for it!

Luther was the glue and the guide that helped one of our brands navigate a management transition, market repositioning, and transaction all at the same time. Add to that we’re a family-driven business, and the job should have been precarious. Luther managed it with aplomb and unlocked leadership talent in our management team. His calm, eternally positive demeanor sets all at ease and attracts collaboration and best efforts. He will make you and your business better and you will enjoy the experience. I recommend him highly.

Daniel Mesa
Chuck Campbell
Founding Partner, CGM
LinkedIn for Daniel

I hadn’t contemplated the future of my business and employees. Derick fortunately contacted me about an acquisition…Derick and his colleagues took the time to get to know me and understand my business. They were extremely easy to work with and put together a deal that satisfied myself and my employees - and set up a successful future for the business. They presented a compelling, honest approach and we quickly completed the deal. I’d highly recommend working with Derick and his group.

Daniel Mesa
William Hadley
Owner and CEO, The Production Truck
LinkedIn for Daniel

I worked with Derick at Quixote Studios and I consider him one of the strongest business leaders I've ever worked with. Derick operates with integrity and really cares about his team and colleagues…

I would go well out of my way to work with him again.

Daniel Mesa
Sean Jordan
President, The Cooperative LA
LinkedIn for Daniel

I met Derick in 2021 when I was operating a company called TPT. When Derick said he was interested in acquiring the company, I was skeptical. But Derick was fair and reasonable. He honored his commitments. He approached everything with a real respect for our business. I had an excellent experience with Derick...and if I was selling a business today, I would want to sell to Badger Hill.

Daniel Mesa
Daniel Mesa
Former COO, TPT
LinkedIn for Daniel
Contact

Let’s Start a Conversation

If you would like to discuss a potential acquisition opportunity, please contact us via phone, email, or the form below. All discussions will be strictly confidential. Additionally, Badger Hill happily pays above industry standard referral rewards. Please contact us to learn more.

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