Kurt M. Roth is the founder and managing member of Blackspear, LLC, a firm providing proprietary, research-driven corporate strategy and investment advisory services. With 30 years of experience in corporate development, strategy, investment banking, capital allocation, and governance across public companies, private equity-backed businesses, and founder- or family-owned enterprises, Kurt has demonstrated thoughtful leadership and exceptional outcomes throughout his career.
From 2022 to 2024, he served as a Partner and Head of Healthcare at Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI), a permanent capital vehicle focused on acquiring and building middle-market businesses. Before this, from 2015 to 2022, Kurt held the position of Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at Sotera Health (NASDAQGS: SHC), a global leader in mission-critical sterilization and lab testing services, where he led M&A, strategic planning, and capital allocation across a complex, regulated operating platform. Before that, he was an investment banker at Robert W. Baird & Co. from 2007 to 2015, where he earned the title of Partner and Managing Director before being recruited to Sotera Health. Kurt began his investment banking career in the M&A Group at Montgomery Securities in San Francisco, CA. He holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, and he and his wife reside in downtown Chicago, IL.
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HEALTHCARE FOCUS: Nelson Laboratories (US) — Buy-side: Largest U.S. provider of lifecycle microbiology testing. Toxikon Europe (Belgium) — Buy-side: Leading global extractables & leachables biopharmaceutical testing lab. Nordion Medical Isotopes (Canada) — Sell-side: Leading medical isotope platform. Iotron Industries (US & Canada) — Buy-side: E-beam sterilization platform; geographic and technology diversification for Sterigenics. Regulatory Compliance Associates (US) — Buy-side: Regulatory advisory platform; broadened Nelson’s compliance offerings. Gibraltar Laboratories (US) — Buy-side: Biopharma-focused analytical lab in the Northeast; proximity to Nelson’s key customers. BioScience Laboratories (US) — Buy-side: Analytical lab services for pharma, medical device, and consumer hygiene; expanded Nelson’s service offering. Reviss Services (UK) — Buy-side: Strategic add-on for Nordion; supplier of gamma radiation technology and associated services. DNA Diagnostic Center (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by GHO Capital from WindRose Health Investors. i-Trax (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Meridian Occupational Healthcare.
CONSUMER, INDUSTRIAL, & BUSINESS SERVICES: Bass Pro Shops (US) — Sell-side: Acquisition by J.W. Childs; growth and store expansion. Bushnell (US) — Sell-side: Acquisition by ATK; strategic sporting optics combination. CorePower Yoga (US) — Sell-side: Buyout with Catterton Partners; growth and franchising expansion. Beachbody (US) — Sell-side: Acquisition by LNK Partners; health & wellness platform scale-up. Founders Brewing Company (US) — Sell-side: Recapitalization with Mahou San Miguel (Spain). Battenfeld Technologies (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Smith & Wesson Brands. Feradyne Outdoors (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Snow Phipps. Fitness Connection (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by LNK Partners. Wisconsin Specialty Protein (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Omega Protein. Plano Molding (US) — Buy-side: Acquired by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. Crosman (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Wellspring Capital Management. Ames True Temper (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Griffon Corporation. Liberty Safe (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Compass Diversified. Zenith Administrators (US) — Buy-side: Acquired by Aspen Partners and Caltius. Jerdon Products/Newell Rubbermaid (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Focus Products. Pelstar (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Newell Rubbermaid. Rogue Wave Software (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Quovadx. Fender Guitar (US) — Sell-side: Acquired by Weston Presidio.
CAPITAL MARKETS/IPOs: Sotera Health Company (US) — IPO & follow-on offerings; role: SVP, Corporate Development. Fox Racing Shox (Fox Factory) (US) — IPO (lead left) and follow-on (bookrunner); Compass Diversified portfolio company. MasterCraft (US) — IPO (lead left bookrunner); leading sport boat manufacturer. Planet Fitness (US) — IPO; TSG Consumer Partners portfolio company. Freshpet (US) — IPO and follow-on offerings; MidOcean Partners portfolio company. BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) (Canada) — IPO and follow-on offerings; Bain Capital portfolio company.
