Bain Capital

Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is a private equity and multi-asset alternative investment firm based in Boston, MassachusettsMassachusetts. The firm prefers to invest in the retail, business service, consumer, financial service, healthcare, energy, technology, media, telecommunication and industrial sectors.

The firm was founded in 1984 by partners from the consulting firm Bain & Company. These partners included Mitt Romney, T. Coleman Andrews III, and Eric Kriss. The early Bain Capital team included Fraser Bullock, Robert F. White, Joshua Bekenstein, Adam Kirsch, and Geoffrey S. Renhert. Even though founded by Bain & Company executives, Bain Capital is not an affiliate or division of Bain & Company but rather a separate entity. Bain Capital remains a private, employee-owned company.

The firm, and its actions during its first 15 years, became the subject of political and media scrutiny as a result of co-founder Mitt Romney's later political career, including his 2012 presidential campaign. Mitt Romney served as Bain Capital's first and last CEO. Since his departure, Bain Capital has continued to be run by management committee, lead by Co-Chairman Sephen Pagliuca in 2020.

One of Bain Capital's early venture investments was in StaplesStaples, Inc in 1986. They provided $4.5 million to help executives Leo Kahn and Thomas G. Stemberg open the office supply supermarket in Brighton, Massachusetts. They followed a similar venture capital investment strategy through the remainder of the 1980's until the 1990's. Bain Capital's shift in investment strategy towards a focus on leveraged buyouts and growth capital investments in the early 1990's was exemplified by their acquisition of Ampad from Mead Corporation in 1992. The acquisition saw Ampad grow in sales from $106.7 million in 1992 to $583.9 million in 1996, the same year the company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The firm was founded in 1984 by partners from the consulting firm Bain & Company. These partners included Mitt Romney, T. Coleman Andrews III, and Eric KrissEric Kriss. The early Bain Capital team included Fraser Bullock, Robert F. White, Joshua Bekenstein, Adam Kirsch, and Geoffrey S. Renhert. Even though founded by Bain & Company executives, Bain Capital is not an affiliate or division of Bain & Company but rather a separate entity. Bain Capital remains a private, employee-owned company.

One of Bain Capital's early venture investments was in Staples, Inc in 1986. They provided $4.5 million to help executives Leo Kahn and Thomas G. Stemberg open the office supply supermarket in Brighton, Massachusetts. They followed a similar venture capital investment strategy through the remainder of the 1980's until the 1990's. Bain Capital's shift in investment strategy towards a focus on leveraged buyouts and growth capital investments in the early 1990's was exemplified by their acquisition of Ampad from Mead Corporation in 1992. The acquisition saw Ampad grow in sales from $106.7 million in 1992 to $583.9 million in 1996, the same year the company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Bain Capital's investments and acquisitions have included: