Sekits Capital has completed many highly successful transactions. The firm will continue to emphasize its expertise and relationships with financial services, financial technology and consumer product companies.

In May 2006, Sekits Capital, Inc. announced the sale of Big Train, Inc. to Nautic Partners.  Sekits Capital represented Big Train and its shareholders in the sale.   Terms of the transaction were not publicly disclosed.  

Big Train is a leading processor and marketer of beverages to independent coffee houses and large grocery retailers.  The company has experienced exceptional growth since its founding in 1991. Big Train’s product line now includes chai teas, blended fruit teas, hot cocoas, smoothie mix and flavored syrups.

www.bigtrain.com

In 2001, Sekits Capital first identified Big Train as a rapidly growing beverage business that would eventually command a premium price in a sale.  At the time, the business generated revenues of less than $15 million.  After five years of strong growth and significant margin improvement, Big Train shareholders realized their stated liquidity objectives in the sale of the company to Nautic Partners.

 Nautic® Partners is a private equity firm that manages in excess of $1.8 billion of capital and focuses on business services, healthcare, manufacturing, and media and communications. 

In April 2005, Management and several private equity sponsors acquired Triad Financial Corporation from Ford Motor Company.  Sekits Capital initiated the transaction and worked closely with management to arrange the equity financing for the deal.  Terms of the transaction were not publicly disclosed.  Triad Financial is a national auto finance company that provides financing to consumers for purchases of new and late model automobiles.    Triad Financial originated over $2.0 billion in sub prime auto finance contracts in 2004 and as of March 31, 2005 managed a portfolio of approximately $3.9 billion.  The equity investors in the transaction include affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co., GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC and Hunter’s Glen/Ford Ltd., an investment vehicle formed by Gerald Ford.  High yield debt financing of $150 million was raised by Goldman, Sachs as a condition to closing the transaction.

In January 2003, Golden Gate Capital announced its acquisition of Lexicon Marketing Corporation, the leading provider of multimedia English-language courses for Spanish speakers.  Sekits Capital initiated the transaction and represented Golden Gate Capital.  Lexicon has emerged as the world leader in study-at-home products for the Hispanic community.  The Company also partners with Disney's World of English franchises and operates Hispanic call centers that cater to companies interested in accessing the Hispanic marketplace.  Golden Gate Capital is a San Francisco based private equity investment firm with approximately $700 million of capital under management.

In March 2002, Sekits Capital was retained to advise on the formation, strategy development and initial funding of The Advice Hotline.  Advice Hotline provides personal advice to consumers over the telephone through a network of Company Advisors.  Advice Hotline advertises its services through television media to capitalize on demonstrated consumer buying behavior.  In May 2002, we successfully raised the first round of financing from several private investors.  The funding will allow the company to run a series of media tests to determine the service’s viability.

In December 2001, we announced the formation of Causeway Capital Management, LLC and its initial funding by Evercore Partners.  Sekits Capital advised Causeway in this transaction. Causeway is rapidly building an exceptional asset management business that defines itself by its distinguished track record investing in international equities.  Sarah Ketterer and Harry Hartford, the investment team formerly with Merrill Lynch and Hotchkis and Wiley, founded Causeway in June 2001.  At Merrill Lynch, they managed over $3.5 billion in international equities.  Causeway will focus on managing international equities for large institutional investors in addition to managing the Causeway International Value Fund which offers both institutional as well as retail investor shares.  For more information please go to:  www.causewayfunds.com

In July 2000,  eCloser, Inc. announced a $15.0 million second round of venture financing with capital provided by Dorset Partners, Friedman Billings and Coqui Capital.  The first round of financing was provided by Silvergate Capital Corporation in a transaction initiated by Sekits Capital.  eCloser is an application service provider (ASP) of hosted solutions for financial service firms engaged in consumer and mortgage lending. eCloser and Silvergate Capital Corporation retained Sekits Capital to advise on its second round of financing. 

In February 2000, LoanTrader, Inc. announced a $17.6 million venture financing with capital provided by Capital Z Partners, Goldman Sachs, LendingTree and a number of angel investors.  LoanTrader is an Internet technology business that specializes in providing Internet applications for financial service companies.  LoanTrader retained Sekits Capital to assist in business plan development and to assist with identifying venture capital sources. Our close working relationship with LoanTrader also included identifying customers and strategic partners in our role as its external corporate development team.  Sekits Capital initiated this financing transaction and represented LoanTrader.

In September 1999, Silvergate Capital Corporation announced the acquisition of Altus Mortgage dba eCloser.  Silvergate Bank is a California thrift and loan specializing in commercial lending and offers nationwide retail deposits.  eCloser is one of the premier Internet mortgage companies, having entered the online mortgage origination business in 1997.  Sekits Capital initiated this transaction and represented Silvergate.