Escalate Capital Partners is a private credit and growth equity investment firm headquartered in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2005, the firm specializes in providing flexible, non-dilutive capital and tailored financing solutions to growth-stage companies across the technology, software, services, and healthcare sectors. With over two decades of experience, Escalate partners with proven management teams and venture-backed businesses to help them achieve key inflection points and accelerate scaling. The firm combines the structure of traditional credit financing with the adaptability of equity investments, making it a preferred partner for companies seeking capital efficiency without sacrificing strategic support.
Escalate Capital focuses on later-stage private companies in the U.S. that are backed by venture capital or growth equity firms. It primarily invests in sectors such as technology and enterprise software, tech-enabled services, digital health and healthcare services, SaaS and recurring revenue models.
The firm targets companies that have reached meaningful revenue traction but are not yet ready for traditional public or private equity financing. Escalate offers both debt and structured equity solutions, aiming to provide capital that aligns with a company’s unique growth trajectory and cash flow needs.
In April 2025, Escalate Capital announced the close of Fund V at $350 million, bringing the firm’s total capital under management to over $1.3 billion. Fund V continues Escalate’s strategy of delivering tailored private credit and growth equity financing to fast-growing, later-stage companies across the U.S.
The fund includes a strong roster of institutional limited partners, such as J.P. Morgan Investment Management, TD Bank, Cadence Bank, Regions Bank, and Truist Community Capital, a subsidiary of Truist Bank. This LP base reflects confidence in Escalate’s hybrid investment strategy and long-standing track record.
Fund V will be deployed into companies operating at the growth stage, typically those with $10M+ in annual recurring revenue or strong unit economics, who are seeking to scale operations, expand into new markets, or prepare for strategic outcomes like acquisition or IPO. The firm has already completed its first two investments from the new fund, committing $35 million across initial portfolio companies.
In conjunction with the close of Fund V, Escalate also announced key promotions: Travis Wood was elevated to Partner, and Larry Bradshaw was appointed Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, signaling continued internal leadership strength and operational scale as the firm enters its next growth chapter.
Leadership
Escalate Capital is led by Tony Schell, Co-Founder and General Partner, and Chris Julich, General Partner. Together, they bring deep experience in venture lending, credit structuring, and growth-stage financing. Their leadership is bolstered by Travis Wood, who joined in 2019 and now serves as Partner, and Larry Bradshaw, a longtime team member since 2005, now serving as COO and CFO.
Investment Strategy
Escalate Capital’s strategy blends structured credit with growth equity. It avoids highly dilutive funding structures, instead offering revenue-based financing, venture debt, and structured equity investments that preserve founder ownership while fueling rapid growth.
The firm selectively partners with management teams that have demonstrated product-market fit, strong revenue growth, and venture backing. Its portfolio companies benefit from Escalate’s flexible financing, network of relationships in the VC ecosystem, and experienced investment professionals who understand the nuances of scaling.
Escalate typically leads or participates in rounds ranging from $5 million to $30 million and provides value beyond capital, helping companies optimize capital structure, extend runway, and prepare for future financing or liquidity events.
Notable Investments
Escalate has backed over 140 companies since its founding, though current portfolio names from Fund V have not yet been publicly disclosed. Historical investments span across digital health, enterprise SaaS, and cloud-based service platforms.
Notable Exits
Not listed in public sources, but Escalate has participated in numerous successful growth-to-exit trajectories, including M&A and IPO pathways.
