Manhattan West Private Equity Leads Investment to Launch Formula 1 Exhibition with Round Room Studios

Avante Capital Partners and Brightwood Capital Advisors Invest in Museum of Illusions

July 1, 2026

Media & Entertainment

Avante Capital Partners invested in Museum of Illusions (MOI), the largest privately owned museum operator in the world, alongside longtime partner Brightwood Capital Advisors. The investment is intended to support MOI’s next phase of growth, including accelerating its global expansion and out-of-home entertainment platform buildout.

The Carlyle Group Makes Strategic Growth Investment in Entertainment 360

January 29, 2025

Media & Entertainment

Entertainment 360, a Los Angeles–based talent management and production company, has received a strategic growth investment from global investment firm The Carlyle Group — the first outside funding in the company's 22-year history. The minority investment will support Entertainment 360's expansion while its existing board and leadership remain in place; The Raine Group and Venable LLP advised Entertainment 360, and Latham & Watkins advised Carlyle.

Forest Road Acquires ERT Formula E Team (rebranded Kiro Race Co)

October 15, 2024

Media & Entertainment

Los Angeles-based investment firm The Forest Road Company has acquired 100% of the ERT Formula E team, which will be rebranded as Kiro Race Co and operate under an American license while retaining Silverstone operations. Capital for the acquisition was provided by David Kaplan and Bennett Rosenthal (co-founders of Ares Management); the team also announced a technical partnership with Porsche Motorsport to strengthen performance.

Bluestone Equity Partners Invests in RWS Global

September 18, 2023

Media & Entertainment

Bluestone Equity Partners made a minority growth equity investment in RWS Global, the world's largest provider of live shows, destinations and immersive experiences. The capital will support RWS Global's continued global expansion and scaling of its creative, production and operational capabilities; Bluestone will take two seats on the company's board.

Round Room Live Management and Manhattan West Complete Buyout of Hasbro Subsidiary Stake

October 21, 2022

Media & Entertainment

Founders Stephen Shaw and Jonathan Linden completed a management buyout of Round Room Live’s lead investor (a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc.), with backing from Los Angeles-based investment firm Manhattan West. The transaction returns control to Round Room’s management and provides a strategic partnership with Manhattan West to support global growth of the company’s touring shows and immersive exhibitions.

Manhattan West Makes Growth Investment in Vino Vault

May 17, 2022

Professional Services

Manhattan West’s Private Equity Fund completed a growth equity investment in Vino Vault and became the company’s largest shareholder. The capital will support Vino Vault’s acquisition-driven expansion across the U.S. (and potential entry into Europe), technology development, and broader scaling of its concierge wine storage and value‑added services.