One team, one culture
Founded in 1996 by Robert F. Agostinelli and M. Steven Langman following their successful careers in cross-border mergers and acquisitions with Goldman Sachs and Lazard.
Our vision
We focus on finding and unlocking value through situations, primarily in middle-market private equity investments with transatlantic dimensions. We have a differentiated focus on carve-out acquisitions and partnerships with founding families and entrepreneurs. Utilizing an extensive operating model consisting of dedicated, custom-tailored internal and external professionals, we work intimately with each company’s management.
Since inception, Rhône has cultivated a strong “one firm” philosophy, and our team operates in a highly cohesive and fluid manner. The Rhône team operates out of the firm’s principal offices in London and New York, with a presence in Madrid.
Investment principles
01.
With our deeply rooted transatlantic presence, reach and history, we focus on investing in middle-market businesses with an international footprint and with opportunities for cross-border expansion
The firm’s long-standing presence in Europe and the Americas coupled with its integrated team and one firm philosophy provide a distinctive advantage in identifying compelling investment opportunities and dealing with geographic complexity. This benefit provides a differentiated approach vis- à -vis both more regional private equity firms and larger private equity firms and underpins our ability to assist companies in their geographic expansion and operational improvements, helping them accelerate growth.
02.
Dedicated focus on high potential, industry leading businesses, with a particular emphasis on partnerships with founding families and entrepreneurs, and on corporate carve-outs
We focus our investment selection on high quality businesses, where we have strong conviction that our capital, resources and access can provide significant value creation. We have particularly deep experience and interest in partnerships with founding families and entrepreneurs, and in carve-out acquisitions from corporations. Rhône is highly regarded as an experienced and trusted partner, able to understand the objectives and constraints of individual sellers and to manage the complexity and sensitivities associated with these situations.
03.
Strong culture with one team approach
Since inception, the firm has cultivated a strong one-firm philosophy, and the team operates in a highly cohesive and fluid manner, with all investments being evaluated on a firm-wide basis. The weight and strength of our experienced team, with most individuals having worked together for almost their entire careers, is balanced evenly across the Atlantic, providing homogenous and seamless sourcing and execution capability. Supported by our Senior Advisors and our external network of industrial professionals, our team partners hand in hand with our portfolio companies’ management teams and boards to improve operations, drive growth and deliver value.
04.
Extensive and deep network of relationships
For 27 years, we have built a reputation for discretion. Our relationship-based approach to sourcing provides us with access to high quality investment opportunities and has allowed us to build an extensive network of relationships with founding families, entrepreneurs, leading corporations, management teams, and industry professionals.
By the numbers
1996
Year founded; consistent transatlantic buyout strategy since 2000
40+
People across principal offices in London and New York, and a presence in Madrid
17+
Managing Directors’ average years at Rhône; most have worked together for the majority of their careers
€10bn
Capital raised
Our history
1996
Founded by Robert F. Agostinelli and M. Steven Langman
First office opens in New York
1997
Rhône raises its first fund
2001
London office opens
2003
First institutional fund raised – Fund II
2006
Fund III raised
2007
Formation of a strategic JV with Assicurazioni Generali
2011
Fund IV raised
2015
Fund V raised
2017
Formed strategic partnership with Eurazeo