BOCA RATON, FLA. — A private equity firm focused on investing in lower middle market, growth-oriented business services companies led by equity partner Larry Shagrin and based just minutes north of Florida Atlantic University’s main campus has made an investment of unknown size in the Cleveland-based provider of SaaS technology for audience engagement and sales intelligence to broadcasters and publishers founded by Daniel Anstandig.
The deal gives Millpond Equity Partners, named after the Boca Raton neighborhood on Spanish River Blvd. where their offices sit, a chunk of ownership interest in Futuri Media.
Futuri is known for its audience engagement suite, TopicPulse real-time social intelligence platform, and TopLine sales intelligence platform. The company was founded in 2009 by Anstandig, who said, “Futuri was founded with the mission of providing cloud-based technologies that enable broadcasters to capitalize on the rise in digital audio and video consumption. We put our skill and passion to work every day for the betterment of our clients and partners, and we saw the same integrity and spirit in Millpond’s approach. Millpond is the ideal partner to collaborate with us in continuing to deliver on our mission by broadening and enhancing our service offering and providing strategic guidance as we embark on our next phase of growth.”
Shagrin added, “Futuri’s demonstrated ability to drive revenue growth for its customers has established it as the leader in its market and the Company has a terrific track record of delivering products and technology with a strong value proposition, leading to deep customer relationships. Futuri has a number of avenues for future growth and we are excited to partner with Daniel Anstandig and the talented, experienced team he has assembled to drive continued success for the Company and its client base.”
Shagrin serves as a Futuri Media Director, and is also a Director at TouchMath, Pharmacy Development Services, BrandRep, Science First, Hands-On Labs, and Turning Technologies.
In addition to his role at Millpond, he serves as a Partner at Brockway Moran & Partners, a middle-market private equity firm with over $1 billion under management. Before joining Brockway Moran in 2002, Shagrin was a Managing Director at William Blair Capital Partners and a Principal at William Blair & Co. He began his career in the Healthcare Investment Banking Group at Smith Barney.
The Futuri Media transaction represents the fifth platform investment for Millpond Equity Partners. Additional financing for the transaction was provided by JP Morgan Asset Management, Aberdeen Standard Investments, Oxer Capital, First Merchants Bank Management, and original angel investors Zapis Capital Group.
