Thorn Run Partners said Oct. 16 that private equity firm Lightview Capital would provide a strategic growth investment to support the U.S. government affairs firm’s plans to broaden services, hire staff and pursue acquisitions.
Thorn Run says the partnership will help it expand across policy areas and geographic markets while adding employees and seeking acquisitions that complement its business. The announcement named no priority markets, new services, acquisition candidates or hiring targets, and set no schedule for the plans.
The firm lists government relations, grant consulting, federal policy analysis and strategic communications among its services. Thorn Run said the investment is intended to help it offer clients a broader range of advocacy services, but did not specify which offerings it may add.
Co-founders Andrew Rosenberg and Chris Lamond will continue overseeing daily operations and take co-CEO roles, Thorn Run said. Founded in 2010, the firm reports more than 300 clients and a staff of more than 60. Its offices are in Washington, D.C.; Portland, Oregon; and Los Angeles.
Bloomberg Law separately reported that Thorn Run was weighing expansion into state capitals and a wider mix of services. The firm’s announcement described plans to enter additional markets and policy areas without naming state capitals. Bloomberg Law also cited Monument Advocacy and Avoq as other government affairs firms that have struck private equity deals.
Thorn Run did not disclose the investment amount, Lightview’s ownership stake, the valuation or other transaction terms. It also gave no closing date. Thorn Run named BrightTower as Lightview’s exclusive financial adviser.
