Acquisitions in Florida in 2021

Fire & Life Safety America, Inc. (a subsidiary of Summit Fire & Security LLC) completed the acquisition of American Backflow & Fire Services, LLC in Orlando, Florida effective December 31, 2021. The acquisition brings American Backflow's local fire and life-safety capabilities into FLSA's Orlando location to expand service capacity across the city and the state of Florida.

Fusion (a global BPO and contact-center services provider) acquired Advanced Communications Group Inc. (ACG), a Boynton Beach, Florida-based full-service BPO/contact-center provider, effective December 31, 2021. The acquisition (ACG's ~250 employees) strengthens Fusion's presence in the United States and expands its telecom and tech-support BPO capabilities.

New York-based private equity firm Stella Point Capital has made a growth investment in Autoagent, a Boca Raton–based provider of cloud tax payment and data solutions. The capital will be used to expand Autoagent’s payments revenue stream, increase penetration into taxing jurisdictions, grow its data footprint, and support regional expansion and future acquisitions while the existing management team remains in place.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based Key Auto Group has acquired Thomas Chevrolet Buick in Perry, Florida from owner Cal Thomas. The single-location dealership will continue operating at its existing address under the Key Auto Group banner (renamed Key Chevrolet Buick of Perry) as Key Auto Group expands into the Southeast market.

DecisionHR, a nationwide full-service PEO and subsidiary of Bankers Financial Corporation, has acquired Modern Business Associates, Inc. The combination, effective January 1, 2022, creates one of the five largest privately held PEOs in the United States and expands DecisionHR's HR, payroll, benefits and risk-management capabilities.

Summit Fire & Security, a subsidiary of SFP Holding (Summit Companies), has acquired Blue Flame Fire Protection, a Jacksonville, Florida-based fire and life-safety services provider. The acquisition expands Summit Fire & Security's presence and service capabilities in the Jacksonville market as part of its Florida growth strategy.

Reliance Global Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RELI) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Medigap Health Insurance Company, an insurance brokerage in Florida specializing in Medicare supplement insurance, in an asset purchase expected to close in early 2022. The transaction, valued at approximately $19.6 million in cash and restricted common stock, is intended to expand Reliance's presence in the Medicare supplement market and leverage operational synergies with its existing portfolio.

Graycliff Partners LP provided a unitranche debt facility and a minority equity investment in Talk More Wireless to fund growth and support add-on store acquisitions. Talk More Wireless, led by Jimmy Ralph and headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, operates 100+ Metro by T-Mobile retail stores across multiple states and will use the capital to accelerate expansion.

Corbett Technology Solutions, a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners, has acquired Star Asset Security, a systems integrator and managed services provider headquartered in Orlando, Florida. The add-on deal expands CTSI's physical and cyber security integration footprint across the south and central United States and strengthens its managed security and monitoring capabilities through Star's ION247 Center of Excellence.

King Insurance, a Gainesville-based full-service insurance brokerage, has acquired AGM Insurance Agency and Fordham Insurance Agency, both founded by Mitch and Ginger Renfroe in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The agencies will continue operating from their current location under King Insurance as part of the firm's ongoing Florida expansion supported by its partnership with BHMS Investments, LP.

Mister Car Wash, Inc. acquired Clean Streak Ventures LLC — an Orlando-headquartered express car wash platform operating under the Clean Machine and Top Dog Express brands — from MKH Capital Partners for $390 million. The deal adds 23 operating and 10 development locations (33 total) to Mister's Florida footprint and expands its recurring subscription member base in the state.

Acrisure has acquired the Managing General Agency (MGA) and Third-Party Administrator (TPA) operations of SUNZ Insurance, including Next Level Administrators, Watchpoint, Ascential Care Partners, Avalon and Accelevant Premium Audit. The deal expands Acrisure's underwriting, claims and distribution capabilities in workers' compensation and PEO-focused insurance, and will be integrated with Acrisure's AI and distribution platform. Terms were not disclosed.

Elite DNA Therapy Services, a Florida-based mental health provider, has acquired Impact Behavioral Health in Tallahassee to expand its reach into North Florida and the Panhandle. The acquisition is part of a broader expansion plan that includes opening multiple new offices and increasing virtual care services to improve access to mental health treatment across the state.

Bessemer Investors has made a significant investment in Pet Flavors, LLC, a Melbourne, Florida-based manufacturer of pharmaceutical‑grade flavor bases and palatants for pet pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Founder Mark Pieloch will remain as President while Bessemer intends to establish Pet Flavors as its platform investment in the companion animal health industry; financial terms were not disclosed.

Elevate ENT Partners, a physician-led management service organization for ENT practices, has acquired Orlando Ear, Nose & Throat, P.A., expanding Elevate's footprint in Central Florida. The Orlando ENT physician partners will join Elevate to access capital, operational support, and resources to grow the practice and improve patient care.

Fidelity Building Services Group, backed by Onex Partners, has acquired South Florida Controls, a Miami-based building automation and controls systems integrator. The add-on acquisition (effective December 6, 2021) expands Fidelity BSG's building automation, energy management and controls capabilities and bolsters its presence in the South Florida market.

Validor Capital, a private investment firm, has made an investment in Fi-Foil Company, Inc., a manufacturer of reflective and radiant insulation products based in Auburndale, Florida. The transaction (closed December 17, 2021) brings Fi-Foil into Validor’s portfolio to support capability expansion and growth through strengthened manufacturing, distribution, and potential acquisitions; terms were not disclosed.

GrowthCurve Capital has completed a majority investment in Brightway Insurance, a Jacksonville-based personal-lines insurance franchisor, with founders David and Michael Miller retaining significant minority ownership. The partnership will fund Brightway's national expansion and technology investments; GrowthCurve-appointed Mark Cantin becomes president and CEO. Terms were not disclosed.

Outdoor Living Brands has acquired Superior Fence & Rail, adding the leading national fencing franchise to its portfolio of outdoor living and home services brands. The deal, completed after Outdoor Living Brands joined LYNX Franchising (a MidOcean Partners portfolio company), expands service offerings for franchisees and customers while accelerating Superior Fence & Rail's national growth.

Groundworks, a Virginia Beach-based foundation and water management platform backed by Cortec Group, acquired Alpha Foundations, a Monticello, Florida-based foundation and crawl space repair company, on December 16, 2021. The add-on expands Groundworks' footprint in Florida and Southern Georgia; Alpha will retain its brand while benefiting from Groundworks' investment in employees, marketing and infrastructure.

Qualifacts + Credible, a portfolio company of Warburg Pincus, has acquired InSync Healthcare Solutions, a Tampa-based provider of EHR, practice management and revenue cycle management services for behavioral, medical and rehabilitative providers. The add-on expands Qualifacts' portfolio into the small-to-medium behavioral health market, doubling its customer count and broadening its platform offerings to serve more patients nationwide.

Super Home Services, a Dubin Clark holding company, has acquired SWAT Mosquito Systems, a Miramar, Florida-based provider of permanent automated mosquito misting systems. Route 2 Capital Partners provided subordinated debt and equity financing to support Super Home Services' acquisition and growth of the platform.

Crossroads Systems, Inc. (OTCQX: CRSS) has reached an agreement in principle to acquire Fountainhead, a national non-bank direct lender specializing in SBA 7(a), SBA 504 and low-LTV conventional loans. The acquisition is intended to diversify Crossroads' small-business product mix and expand its SBA lending capabilities; the deal is subject to SBA consent and expected to close in H1 2022.

marbis GmbH (brand: Nitrado), a FLEX Capital portfolio company, has acquired Apex Hosting LLC, a Florida-based market leader in Minecraft server hosting. The deal expands Nitrado’s presence in the English-speaking market—particularly the United States—combining Nitrado’s global infrastructure with Apex’s strong customer support and market position.

Wipro Limited has signed an agreement to acquire LeanSwift Solutions, a Florida-headquartered Infor systems integrator specializing in ERP, e-commerce and supply chain solutions. The deal strengthens Wipro's Infor cloud practice and expands the capabilities of Wipro FullStride Cloud Services; the transaction was announced December 15, 2021 and was expected to close by March 31, 2022.

TruArc Partners, a New York–based private equity firm, has made a significant growth investment in Lamark Media, a Boca Raton–based integrated digital marketing agency. The capital and strategic partnership will be used to accelerate Lamark’s growth through investments in people, technology, capabilities and the continued acquisition of complementary businesses; terms were not disclosed.

Klarna has acquired Piggy, a browser-extension digital commerce technology that provides coupons and cashback to shoppers. The acquisition is intended to accelerate Klarna's browser-extension offering and integrate Piggy's coupon and savings capabilities into Klarna's payments and shopping experiences.

LNC Partners provided senior debt and equity to Commercial Energy Specialists (CES), a Jupiter, Florida-based, tech-enabled, service-supported distributor of water treatment equipment and supplies backed by Turning Basin Capital and Vigeo Investments. The capital package is intended to support CES’s acquisitive growth strategy and enable add-on acquisitions by the platform.

Bregal Sagemount has made a significant new equity investment in Transflo alongside existing investor True Wind Capital, with Carousel Capital remaining a significant minority investor. The growth investment will support Transflo’s product innovation, payments and automation capabilities, and enable pursuit of strategic acquisitions to expand its position in the transportation technology market; financial terms were not disclosed.

Celero Commerce acquired Florida-based Everest Payment Solutions, a national provider of payment processing services, expanding Celero's merchant footprint and capabilities. With the acquisition Celero will serve over 45,000 merchants and process more than $18 billion in annual card volume, while combining Everest's local, bundled technology solutions with Celero's platform and business management tools.

Tenex Capital Management sold AquaCentral, the No. 2 U.S. distributor of pool equipment and supplies, to Heritage Pool Supply Group (a platform within SRS Distribution) in a transaction that closed on December 10, 2021. As part of the deal, Tenex and other AquaCentral shareholders received a minority equity stake in SRS Distribution, which is backed by Leonard Green & Partners and Berkshire Partners; the combined Heritage/AquaCentral footprint now operates multiple brands and dozens of branches across the U.S.

Prairie Capital VII, LP (Prairie Capital) completed a recapitalization of Conscious Discipline, partnering with founder Dr. Becky Bailey and management to support the company's next phase of growth. Prairie will provide company-building capital to accelerate sales, marketing, technology, product development and to pursue add-on acquisitions within the social-emotional learning (SEL) and education market.

Paradigm, an accountable specialty care management organization, has acquired HomeCare Connect, a specialty network focused on home health, durable medical equipment (DME), and related post-acute services. The acquisition expands Paradigm's clinical solution set and extends its accountable care management model into the home to better serve catastrophic and complex cases.

The Riverside Company has acquired milliCare, a commercial floor and textile care franchise brand, from Milliken & Company as an add-on to Riverside’s Clintar platform. The transition transfers more than 30 franchise owners and roughly 40 locations to Riverside’s portfolio while Milliken will continue to manufacture and supply milliCare’s proprietary cleaning solutions.

Cornerstone Advisors, a Scottsdale-based management and technology consulting firm and portfolio company of Altamont Capital Partners, has acquired Orlando-based Next Step, Inc., a specialist professional services team serving banks and credit unions. The acquisition is an add-on to Cornerstone that expands its core banking systems, implementation and contract negotiation capabilities to better serve mid-size financial institutions.

SEACORP, LLC acquired Analysis, Design & Diagnostics, Inc. (AD&D) of Jacksonville, Florida, with the transaction closing on December 7, 2021. The acquisition brings AD&D's underwater acoustic sensor, automated detection/classification and advanced data-processing capabilities into SEACORP's naval engineering and electromagnetic systems portfolio; founder Gary Donoher will continue with the company as Director of Southeast Operations.

Peachtree Hotel Group acquired the 207-key AC Hotel Miami Aventura and the 233-key Aloft Miami Aventura in Aventura, Florida. Peachtree's management arm, Peachtree Hospitality Management, will operate the properties as part of the firm's ongoing opportunistic hotel portfolio expansion in the Miami market; terms were not disclosed.

Mister Car Wash, Inc. (NYSE: MCW) acquired Downtowner Car Wash’s five locations in Cape Coral, Florida from the Montpetit family. The deal expands Mister Car Wash’s South Florida footprint; the acquired stores will continue operating in the near term and will be rebranded and integrated into Mister’s network over the coming months.

SAM Companies, a national provider of geospatial and inspection solutions, completed the acquisition of Ghiotto & Associates, Inc., a Jacksonville-based land surveying and mapping firm, on December 3, 2021. The add-on expands SAM’s technical capabilities and project capacity in Florida — strengthening its presence with public-sector clients such as the Florida Department of Transportation and advancing the company’s Southeast growth strategy.

Salt Creek Capital has sold Boyd Industries to the company’s CEO, Adrian LaTrace, in a management buyout. Boyd Industries, a Clearwater, Florida-based manufacturer of dental operatory equipment and clinical cabinetry since 1957, was originally acquired in partnership with Salt Creek in 2012 and serves dental specialists domestically and internationally.

Benford Capital-backed Brothers International Food, LLC completed the acquisition of Dennick FruitSource, LLC, a Tampa-based supplier of tropical fruit juices, concentrates, and purees. The add-on expands Brothers' B2B fruit ingredients portfolio, broadens its customer base and supplier network, and will leave both businesses operating under their existing names in Rochester, NY and Tampa, FL.

SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. (NYSE: SITE) has acquired Seffner Rock & Gravel, a Tampa-based distributor of natural stone, bulk aggregates, mulch and soil, marking SiteOne’s first hardscapes and bulk materials branch in Florida. The deal expands SiteOne’s hardscapes offering in Central Florida and brings a local, single-location business into its national wholesale distribution network.

PROS Holdings, Inc. acquired EveryMundo, a Miami-based digital offer marketing SaaS provider, for $80 million in cash at closing plus approximately $10 million in contingent stock. The acquisition adds EveryMundo's offer-marketing capabilities to the PROS Platform to enable direct, personalized customer engagement and broaden PROS' digital omnichannel selling solutions.

JAL Equity has acquired Directional Advertising Solutions, Inc. (dba DAS Group), a Weston, Florida-based digital marketing firm, in a transaction that closed on November 30, 2021. DAS Group provides local digital marketing, lead generation and web development services to franchise organizations and multi-location national and regional brands; the sale enabled one partner to retire while the other remains involved.

Ingenovis Health, the PE-backed healthcare staffing platform controlled by Cornell Capital and Trilantic North America, has agreed to acquire HealthCare Support, a national allied healthcare staffing firm headquartered in the Orlando area. The add-on expands Ingenovis's staffing capabilities and national reach across clinical and non-clinical roles; financial terms were not disclosed and the deal was expected to close in Q1 2022.

El Car Wash, a subsidiary of National Express Wash, acquired two Wash & Wax Express locations in Palm Beach County, Florida. The founder of Wash & Wax Express, Darrell Peterson, will join the combined company as a partner to support development and operations while the companies merge their unlimited membership programs to provide access across all locations.

SupplyOne, a portfolio company of Wellspring Capital Management, has acquired IC Industries, Inc., a privately held corrugated converter and packaging company headquartered in Hialeah, Florida. The acquisition expands SupplyOne's converting capabilities and scale in South Florida, bringing IC Industries' customers access to additional product lines, automation expertise, and the decentralized operating support of SupplyOne.

World Insurance Associates LLC (WIA), a top-100 U.S. insurance brokerage headquartered in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, acquired Ample Insurance of Oakland, Florida on June 1, 2021. The transaction (terms undisclosed) adds Ample’s five-office footprint and personal and commercial lines capabilities across Central and South Florida to WIA’s national platform.

LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) has completed the acquisition of Palm Beach Records, a South Florida-based recording studio and label founded by Christian "Rekstarr" Ocampo. LiveOne will operate Palm Beach Records as a wholly-owned subsidiary and plans to expand the studio's music and podcast operations to sign and break new talent, produce exclusive content for members, and support local events in South Florida.

Franchise Group, Inc. completed an all-cash acquisition of W.S. Badcock Corporation for approximately $580 million. The acquisition adds Badcock’s 383-store southeastern home furnishings chain (and related real estate and consumer credit receivables) to Franchise Group’s portfolio, creating scale and anticipated synergies with its existing home-furnishings brands.