our differentiation

We help companies achieve superior performance by leveraging a unique combination of capital, operational and strategic support.

Unique and Deep Resources

William Harris Investors, Inc. is a family-based professional asset management firm with more than $1 billion under management that created its wealth by building similar types of companies to those in which WHI Capital Partners now invests. In addition to vast financial resources, the team at William Harris Investors includes 17 seasoned investment professionals and over 22 support personnel. This provides our portfolio companies with a deep and diverse network of industry expertise and unique contacts that can be leveraged to help your company grow. The patriarch of the family, noted Chicago philanthropist Irving B. Harris, has created a strong culture within WHI and WHI Capital Partners premised upon the principles that proudly define us.

Hands-On Operational Middle Market Expertise

The senior investment team of WHI Capital Partners has diverse operational experience and a keen understanding of middle market businesses. Although senior management runs the company day to day, we can offer "hands-on" expertise in lean manufacturing, operations, business development and outsourcing strategies. Because of our backgrounds, we have intimate familiarity with the most important issues facing middle market businesses, especially those are family-owned or closely-held.

Individualized Investment Flexibility

Having one capital source affords us investment flexibility as well as the ability to be both opportunistic and patient. Many private equity funds are saddled with rigid charters or institutional constraints that can restrict them from capitalizing on a company’s most promising opportunities or preclude them from pursuing investment transactions that are outside the purview of their fund. WHI Capital Partners enjoys a rare freedom with our investments, as well as flexibility to modify future strategies based on changing market dynamics. In short, our decisions are based solely on the best interests of our portfolio companies rather than on the need to raise a follow-on fund.

Responsive and Tax-Efficient Deal Structuring

WHI Capital Partners understands that business owners confront complex personal and business challenges when selling a business they have spent decades building. These issues often include ensuring proper compensation for key employees, preservation of an owner’s legacy and philanthropic desires. WHICP’s principals have experience with developing tax-efficient transaction structures that address many of the issues unique to closely-held and family-based business owners.


Strategic Partnerships



ForteCEO Group is an operationally focused consulting firm that is comprised of operating executives who have embraced interim management as a bold, effective way to help businesses transition to the next level. Forte’s over 200 seasoned executives have served in permanent leadership roles of successful companies, held board directorships or run key divisions of major corporations. They have handled startups, mergers, divestitures and turnarounds. All share a passion for making businesses perform better. All want to build value.


WHI Capital Partners’ special arrangement with ForteCEO provides WHICP with a talented pool of executives to act as advisors in helping screen deals, performing due diligence and post-investment management. This relationship allows WHICP to bring significant and relevant experience to the table as well as explore deal opportunities with those who know the specific industry the best.

To learn more about ForteCEO, contact Mark Rittmanic, Founding Partner at (847) 291-9944, ext. 112 or visit their website at www.forteceo.com.