Welcome to the inaugural edition of Frontier, your source for updates from Sleeping Giant Capital.
Six years ago, Derrick and I had a crazy vision. Find and train aspiring owner-operators. Convince them to leave their jobs. Raise an investment fund. Buy West Michigan businesses. And connect these businesses to an undergraduate business program to help them grow. All in service of creating a “The Big Win” - where investment returns met social returns and educational returns.
Today, that vision is a tangible reality. With six growing acquisitions employing more than 300 people, a full pipeline of aspiring owner-operators, and a flourishing undergraduate program, we are demonstrating that place-based investing can drive financial, social, and educational returns.
This fall marks another major milestone as we launched our second fund - with over $100 million in commitments - and continue to build a model that is earning national attention for what is possible when capital, education, and community are aligned.
Highlights that you’ll read more about:
Launch of our second fund; Principled Impact Evergreen Fund II with over $100 million in initial commitments
Hiring Chelsea Dubey to lead our marketing and talent recruitment
Welcoming our newest CEO in Residence: Phil Bowman
Doug was interviewed on the popular ETA podcast, Acquiring Minds
Thank you for joining us on this journey,
Co-Founders, Sleeping Giant Capital
"What we see from those gathered in this room, is evidence of a new model. A model that takes the engine of capitalism…the transformative power of education…and the entrepreneurial leap of faith…unites them together in mutual benefit and anchors them in a place.”
Doug Lepisto, Co-Founder, Sleeping Giant Capital
On September 23, we gathered with 230 of our partners, including Governor Whitmer, investors, CEOs, portfolio company employees, students and Western Michigan University leadership to celebrate the launch of our second fund. It was a landmark moment in our history and one that we will never forget. Read more →
On Episode 17 of The Do Diligence podcast by Sleeping Giant Capital, host Derrick McIver welcomes Tom Deans, acclaimed author and global thought leader on family business succession.
Tom shares insights drawn from his own experience running and selling a multi-generational manufacturing company and from his three-book trilogy on family wealth and succession planning, including Every Family’s Business, Willing Wisdom, and The Happy Inheritor. He challenges conventional wisdom around gifting family businesses, advocating instead for transparent conversations, third-party valuations, and the critical importance of having next-generation owners risk their own capital.
Watch here, or listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify
Our Acquire Executive Education Coaching Program continues to grow, helping professionals take the first step toward becoming owner-operators. Over 8–10 weeks, participants gain practical tools, coaching and confidence to begin their search for a closely-held business to acquire. We’re proud to be supporting the next generation of leaders who want to preserve legacies and strengthen communities through local ownership.
The Acquire course for fall is sold out. We’re now taking applications and building a waitlist for February. Consider sharing this opportunity with a friend or colleague who’s looking for a career or life change.
Apply here →