Aerospace & Defense Focused
Mission-Critical Businesses.
Built to Endure.
Appian Way Capital Partners is an operator-led aerospace and defense investment firm. We partner with a concentrated group of precision manufacturers and supply-chain businesses, providing patient capital and hands-on, senior-level support to help them reach their full potential.
- 30+ Years
- Aerospace & defense operating, investment, and M&A experience across the partner team
- $3M – $12M EBITDA
- Focused on lower middle-market aerospace & defense businesses
- Partner-Led
- Senior principals engaged directly on every investment, start to finish
- Manufacturing · Distribution · Services
- Concentrated on the aerospace & defense supply chain
Who We Are
Focused on the Industrial Capabilities That Matter Most
Investing in the Capabilities Behind the Mission
We invest in the mission-critical capabilities that underpin aerospace and defense: the specialized manufacturers, distributors, and service providers whose work is required across many programs, customers, and platforms. Rather than trying to pick the winning weapon system or end platform, we back the durable industrial demand beneath them all.
Value Beyond Capital
Once we invest, we help companies grow in ways capital alone cannot: hands-on operating experience, deep national-security relationships, and a targeted advisory board that opens doors to new customers, programs, and acquisitions.
The result is expanded capacity, stronger operations, and well-chosen add-on acquisitions that strengthen each company's competitive position.
A Differentiated Alternative
The Best of Three
Ownership Models
Appian Way combines the institutional capabilities of private equity, the patience and flexibility of a family office, and the industry expertise of a strategic buyer.
See Our ApproachOur Approach
Why Partner With Appian Way
Senior-Level Attention
You work directly with our principals throughout the investment, never a rotating cast of junior professionals.
Patient, Flexible Capital
We hold for the long term and tailor the right structure rather than force a predetermined exit.
Prudent Leverage
We use leverage conservatively so cash flow funds people, capacity, and growth.
Partner-Led Engagement
A concentrated portfolio lets our partners stay closely involved with every business we own.
Investment Snapshot
The Companies We Journey With
- Sector
- Aerospace & Defense
- Manufacturing, distribution, and related services
- EBITDA
- $3M – $12M
- Sweet spot of approximately $5M–$10M, with flexibility for the right opportunity
- Revenue
- $15M – $100M
- Typically $20M–$80M, with flexibility for the right opportunity
- Initial Investment
- $10M – $50M
- Additional capital available for acquisitions and growth
- Ownership
- Majority or Meaningful Minority
- Flexible structures with meaningful alignment and rollover equity
Aerospace & Defense
One Industry.
Three Sectors.
Manufacturing
- Precision machining and fabrication
- Complex assemblies and subassemblies
- Specialized materials and components
- Mission-critical products and systems
Distribution
- Value-added and technical distribution
- Specialized materials and components
- Kitting, assembly, and supply-chain solutions
- High-touch, qualification-driven customer relationships
Services
- Select aftermarket and technical services
- Engineering, testing, calibration, and certification
- Special processes, coatings, and finishing
- Defense services with tangible IP or differentiated technical capability
We partner with owners who value a strategic partner with the experience and network to help execute their vision, and who appreciate a hands-on partner with a longer-term focus.
If your company has a strong foundation and needs financial and operational support to reach the next level, we should talk.
Start the Conversation
All Roads Lead Forward
Confidential conversations with owners, management teams, and intermediaries — always with a principal, never a gatekeeper.
Contact Appian Way