OVERVIEW
Wharton Equity Partners was founded in 1987 as an alternative asset management firm focused on real estate and private equity investments. Led by an experienced team of professionals, we have established an unblemished track record in managing money for our investors, which include institutions, family offices and high net worth individuals. The steadfast philosophy of the firm is to play an active, hands-on role in all our investments so we can ensure that, as fiduciaries, we are not dependent on others for our success. Consistent with this approach, we only invest in opportunities where we can best employ our core competencies to add incremental value.
Over the years, and as we have grown, we have made certain to be flexible in our investing style so that we can take advantage of situations as they emerge. Being alert to the world around us, coupled with our ability to make quick, decisive decisions has been critical factors in our success, and is fundamental to our culture.
FOCUS
During our nearly 25 years of existence, we have dedicated ourselves to selectively pursuing opportunities in real estate and private equity. A common thread among our investments is that we seek to leverage our brand and experience in helping maximize returns.
Real Estate
Our real estate area has broad expertise in the acquisition, development, management and disposition of all classes of real estate including residential, office, hotels and self storage. Our senior executives responsible for Wharton Equity Partner's real estate activities have a minimum of 25 years each in the industry. This collective longevity enables us to have a unique perspective on how to benefit from and navigate through inevitably changing market conditions.
Private Equity
Our private equity activities center around traditional private equity transactions, including venture capital investments. Generally, we seek companies that have leading positions in their industries, and experienced management teams who have a vested interested in their success. Target investments range from emerging growth companies that feature promising breakthrough technologies that can shape the future of their respective industries, as well as more main stream companies with significant growth potential. Preference is given to companies with existing cash flow, but pre-revenue transactions will be considered.
Wharton Equity's Strengths
- Sourcing transactions:
- Extensive network of relationships
- Reputation of being trusted principal
- Creating value:
- Hands-on expertise, not financiers
- Experience across business cycles
- Disciplined methodology on executing business plans
“Wharton Equity Partners has been built on a culture of absolute dedication to our investors. Every action we take places those who have entrusted capital to us at the forefront of our thinking. We have never deviated from this philosophy and never will.”
Peter C. Lewis
Founder, Wharton Equity Partners
APPROACH
Our company was founded in 1987 under a basic premise: Concentrate only on those opportunities that offer a unique combination of the preservation of capital and a strong potential for significant economic gains.
We have been able to consistently achieve these objectives by pursuing opportunities in inefficient or distressed markets. Starting during the late 1980's with the downturn of the real estate markets, Wharton Equity Partners purchased mortgages from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Resolution Trust Corporation. During the early 2000's, with the cloud of uncertainty brought on by the "dotcom" implosion, we were an active provider of capital to promising companies that have been indiscriminately deprived of financing. Today, Wharton Equity Partners is uniquely positioned to utilize its skills honed over various business cycles to take advantage of inefficiencies in real estate, as well as private equity.
As a private investment vehicle for the principals of the firm and a small group of significant investors, we are not burdened by the restrictions in operation generally imposed on more formal corporate structures. Moreover, since the principals have complete discretion in rendering decisions, Wharton Equity Partners is able to react quickly and decisively regarding opportunities. This is a key element in the company's success in securing, structuring and executing transactions.
Whether real estate or private equity transactions, the firm utilizes its experience and extensive network of relationships to (i) find opportunities that meet Wharton Equity Partner's rigorous criteria, (ii) structure the investment and financing of the transaction, (iii) create value in providing guidance with respect to the execution of the business strategy, and (iv) facilitate the appropriate exit from the investment to maximize returns.
