A pair of Bain & Co. veterans have launched their own private equity firm, targeting companies with revenues under $500 million. Southlake, Texas-based Prophet Equity, founded by Ross Gatlin and George Stelling, makes control investments in special situations, turnarounds, acquisitions, bankruptcies and reorganization. The firm opened its doors this month,

Gatlin and Stelling will focus their attention on underserved smaller and mid-sized businesses. Post-Bain, Gatlin was first a founding principal at The Carlyle Management Group, and then a founding partner at Insight Equity.

“Given the credit crunch and the demands placed on small and mid sized business, being a passive financial or strategic buyer with deep pockets is no longer good enough,” said Gatlin. “You have to partner with management and bring tools to the table which are powerful and proven for turbo-charging growth and delivering tangible value at strategically viable companies."
 
The duo plans to begin raising their debut p.e. fund early next year.