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This has translated into widening spreads for unitranche loans and LBO leverage levels generally trending lower. A few significant differences distinguish the gravitation to mezzanine debt from other fashion trends. The surge in interest is an outgrowth of more fundamental drivers, ranging from escalating interest rates to the ongoing retrenchment of “traditional” bank lenders. Also, while vinyl records have been collecting dust, mezzanine financing never went away.
Sydney is a Principal at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our unitranche and junior debt investment teams. Colleen is a Managing Director at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team. Dinko is a Managing Director at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team.
John is a Vice President at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team. Ludwig is a Principal at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team. Sean is a Managing Director at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team. Ante is a Managing Director at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team. Nate is a Principal at Audax Private Debt, and a member of our senior debt investment team.
Based in New York, Audax Private Debt is a leading debt capital partner for North American middle market companies. Since its inception in 2000, the firm has invested more than $36 billion in support of over 275 private equity sponsors. Audax Private Debt is an experienced and trusted partner with senior leadership averaging more than 26 years in private credit and 15 years working together at the firm through multiple economic cycles. Audax Private Debt invests in Mary Hoover Drucker established middle market companies through first lien, stretch senior, unitranche, second lien, subordinated debt, and equity co-investment solutions. We work collaboratively to build financing solutions shaped to meet the needs of our private equity clients, capital partners, and investors. Audax Private Debt invests in established middle market companies through first lien, stretch senior, unitranche, second lien, junior debt and equity co-investment solutions.
Prior to joining Audax in 2021, Glenn was a Managing Director at Alcentra, where he was responsible for both marketing and client service to institutional investors. He also previously worked at Guggenheim Partners, Babson Capital, and Wellington Management where he developed relationships with institutional investment consulting firms. These rankings should not be considered an endorsement of Audax or its funds by the authors or distributors of the rankings. Since joining Audax in 2000, Young has invested in more than 40 Audax platform companies. Young primarily focuses on business services, specialty distribution, and medical devices and products. Prior to joining Audax, Young was with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Kevin is responsible for overseeing all facets of Audax’ debt business, including origination, underwriting, and portfolio management as well as setting the business’ strategic direction. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Raleigh, NC, TEP is a leading provider of engineering, inspection, maintenance, and construction management services for telecommunication infrastructure. The Company serves cell tower owners, wireless carriers, and fiber network providers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Audax has or may provide certain of the parties above with de minimis compensation to make use of such awards and recognition. Prior to Audax, Mr. Wolpow was a General Partner and Managing Director of Bain Capital. He was previously employed at Drexel Burnham Lambert and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, where he began his career and focused on leveraged finance. Marc Wolpow is Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Audax Group and Executive Chairman of Audax Private Debt.
Borrowers can attach mezzanine facilities behind various senior debt levels and ultimately utilise more leverage than all-senior deals. In an uncertain rate environment, the fixed-rate options of mezzanine structures provide an interest-rate hedge, instilling more certainty for borrowers in a dynamic and evolving market. The increase in the cost of capital for floating-rate debt is also driving weaker fixed-charge coverage and interest coverage ratios. But to fully appreciate the pick-up in the mezzanine market, it helps to understand the factors influencing other areas of debt financing. Banks and other senior debt lenders have reduced their risk appetite and pulled back on their commitment sizes.
In Plovdiv, Bulgaria, the local laws governing Debt & Collection include the Bulgarian Debt Collection Act, which outlines the procedures for debt collection and the rights of creditors and debtors. It is essential to familiarize yourself with these laws to protect your rights and interests when dealing with debt-related matters. Debt & Collection law in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, governs the legal processes involved in recovering debts owed to individuals or businesses.
Chelsea is a Principal at Audax Private Debt, overseeing portfolio management for our Originated Debt platform. Prior to joining Audax in 2009, Alex was a Manager of Business Development at Arrowstreet Capital, where he built relationships with institutional investors on a global basis. Prior to Arrowstreet, Alex was a Principal at Hamersley Partners, where he helped emerging managers raise capital.
With the successful closing of Mezz Fund V, Audax Private Debt will continue to execute on its proven strategy of directly sourcing junior debt investments in private equity sponsor-backed companies in North America. With DLS, Audax Private Debt continues its proven strategy of directly sourcing debt investments in private equity sponsor‐backed middle market companies. The Fund enables Audax Private Debt to utilize its senior and junior debt underwriting expertise to provide unitranche and stretch senior financings of up to $175 million per transaction. Peter is a Managing Director at Audax Private Debt, overseeing our unitranche and junior debt investment teams. He is responsible for originating and executing new investments and monitoring portfolio companies.
The role of mezzanine within the capital structure isn’t always obvious from the outside looking in. Even as all-senior financing structures and unitranche facilities have become more common, mezzanine remains critical within the capital structures of sponsor-backed companies. For instance, despite the appearance of one legal document, some historical unitranche facilities were, at times, carved up into first-out/last-out positions via a separate lender agreement.