Private Investing in Specialty Materials

Akoya is a Chicago-based sector-focused private investment firm, specializing in the lower end of the middle market.

We work closely with family offices, high-net-worth individuals and institutional capital providers to invest in profitable, well-positioned businesses.

We partner with founders and CEOs of privately held businesses who are pursuing liquidity while prioritizing preservation of the company’s legacy. Investments are led by one of Akoya’s Sector Leaders whose operating expertise aligns with the business.

Our Difference is Our Sector Leaders

Our Sector Leaders are accomplished senior operating executives with decades of industry expertise. Sector Leaders play an active role in opportunity identification and evaluation, and post-close, serve as the Executive Chair of the Board, providing hands-on strategic and operational guidance.

With decades of experience in the industry, our Sector Leaders can provide the necessary expertise and guidance to bring companies to their next stage of growth positioning businesses for success in competitive markets.

Why Akoya is Interested in Investing
in Specialty Materials

Positive projected growth trends are driven by the consumable nature and critical role of the engineered specialty materials in end-use products
Highly fragmented industry with multiple add-on acquisition candidates
Asset light and highly customized specialty materials will play a key role in delivering critical performance necessary for end-use applications

Segments of Focus

Engineered Specialty Materials

Coatings, adhesives, sealants & elastomers (CASE)
Gaskets & Seals
Non-Woven & Woven Materials
Composite Materials

Value-added Processors of Specialty Materials

Assembly
Lamination
Cutting
Lofting
Others

Chemical & Engineered Materials Distribution

Value-add services such as blending, packaging, & compounding

Investment Criteria

Minimum EBITDA of $4 M

Potential value creation through revenue growth and operational improvements

Fundamentally healthy – no distressed or turnaround situations

North American headquarters

Sector Operating Expertise

Ashish Diwanji

Managing Director Specialty Materials

30+ years in specialty materials
Ashish most recently served as the President of the Performance Materials Business unit at Lydall where he had $400M+ global P&L responsibility. Prior to Lydall, he has held executive roles in Supply Chain, Corporate Strategy/M&A and Innovations at EOS Energy, Owens Corning, Lord Corporation and U.S. Steel