In general, we are industry agnostic and do not limit our investments to certain sectors. In the past, Rifton and its principals have made investments in companies dealing in consumer products, food/beverage, software, financial services, consumer services, real estate, and others.

A mangement buyout of the shares of retiring owners or non-operating partners can be a win-win for all parties involved. Rifton can help with a smooth transition by facilitating and financing an MBO transaction.

Rifton is extremely flexible in making investments with a wide variety of exit strategies and timelines. Our fund does not have a set liquidation date, which means we are free to work with management to determine the best plan for all parties involved. In some cases, that may be working toward an exit in as soon as a year, or it might be that management desires to build and hold a profitable company over the long term.

Since Rifton is a small firm we are typically able to run a diligence process and make investments much more quickly than traditional VC or PE firms. Our principals have run fast-growing businesses in the past and understand that sometimes there are circumstances in which growing companies need capital quickly in order to take advantage of opportunities or solve short-term liquidity issues.

Rifton was founded and is managed by Jeff Roberts. Prior to his position with Rifton, Roberts was co-founder and CEO of Massif Mountain Gear Company, a $100 million specialty apparel company that developed advanced combat apparel for the world’s most elite teams, including the CIA, Navy SEALs, fighter pilots, snipers, SWAT, FBI, NASA, and other classified units that don’t officially exist.