About Us

Heartland Growth Partners is a lower-middle market private equity firm focused on founder-led and family-owned industrial businesses, targeting companies with $3M–$15M in EBITDA. We differentiate ourselves through a proprietary network of 800+ Midwest-based business owners and operators who provide hands-on industry expertise and strategic insight across our investments in addition to serving as potential customers. We have completed our first platform acquisition and have multiple investments under LOI, backed by a robust pipeline of active opportunities. We are looking to deploy capital rapidly to close on 2-3+ platform acquisitions annually, plus add-ons.

As the private equity arm of Heartland Ventures, a $140M+ AUM venture capital firm known for bridging coastal technology with Midwestern business, we combine operational know-how with innovation to drive measurable outcomes. Our integrated approach means we don’t just provide capital; we provide access to resources, operational best practices, and growth opportunities tailored to each portfolio company. At Heartland, we are more than investors; we are partners committed to building enduring businesses and transforming industries.

Recent Press

Columbus Business First: Columbus VC firm launches PE spinoff to boost Midwest manufacturers
Globe Newswire: Heartland Growth Partners bought a majority stake in Victory Machine & Fabrication, a Sidney, Ohio-based provider of millwright and rigging, machining, and metal fabrication services

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Private Equity Associate to join our growing team. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply in the full investment lifecycle from sourcing and due diligence to portfolio company value creation and exit strategy execution.

You will work closely with senior leadership, portfolio company executives, and our strategic investor network to scale and support founder-led businesses, driving operational improvements and top-line growth. As part of a dynamic, fast-paced team, you will have significant exposure to decision-making processes and opportunities to make an immediate impact.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct industry, market, and company research to support investment theses and identify attractive opportunities.
Build and maintain complex financial models to analyze valuations, returns, and risk scenarios.
Execute diligence workstreams, including evaluating financial/operating performance, assessing competitive/market positioning, and synthesizing findings with third-party advisors.
Partner with Heartland’s strategic investor network to pressure-test assumptions and identify value-creation levers for target and portfolio companies.
Prepare investment committee deliverables and present findings to senior leadership and limited partners.
Assist portfolio value creation by tracking KPIs, building dashboards, analyzing performance trends, and supporting strategic/operational initiatives (add-ons, financings, and exit planning).
Support sourcing efforts by building relationships with intermediaries and business owners.
Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to expand market presence and deal flow.

What We’re Looking For

Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, or related fields; direct private equity experience preferred but not required.
History of strong academic performance.
Expertise in financial modeling, valuation, and data analysis.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage senior executives.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities.
Entrepreneurial and coachable mindset with problem-solving skills and intellectual curiosity.
Highly proficient in MS Office and CRM tools, with transaction diligence experience.
A connection (prior home, school, etc.) to the Midwest is a plus!

Why Join Heartland?

High-Impact Role: Help shape the trajectory of founder-led companies by working closely with leadership teams and strategic investors.
Strong Growth Opportunity: Join a firm at an exciting stage of growth with meaningful exposure to senior leadership and investment decision-making.
Collaborative Culture: Work on a close-knit team that values curiosity, ownership, and measurable impact.
Differentiated Platform: Leverage our strategic investor network to bring real-world operating insight to every deal and portfolio initiative.
Competitive Compensation: Competitive base salary, performance-based bonus, and equity participation.

Heartland Ventures

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Private Equity Associate