2009-11-11 19:04:04 -

Meidlinger Partners, LLC announced today that its new investment vehicle, Meidlinger Partners Sustainable Investments, LP, completed its first closing. Limited partners committed $4.25 million to the round, and Benchmark Asset Managers, LLC, a founding investor, expects to add an additional $10.75 million toward the fund’s target size of $100 million.

The fund provides expansion capital to proven companies in the lower

market with solutions to solve the world’s water, wastewater and energy problems. Kevin Brophy, Meidlinger’s Co-Founder and CEO, said, “The lower market is the sweet spot where operational, industrial and technical support can act as a catalyst to propel portfolio companies to the next level. Since January 2009, we have seen 560 such cleantech investment opportunities, of which we are tracking more than 100 and taking a close look at 5. Many of these fit into the attractive water/energy nexus space.”

The firm plans to capitalize on the strong momentum from the government, businesses, and consumers to address climate change, pursue energy independence and firm up national security. In addition, with the growing awareness of water availability, water quality and wastewater treatment and discharge issues, it is likely that the three constituent groups will continue to allocate resources to the businesses best positioned to solve these problems.

Dr. Karen Meidlinger, Managing Principal and Co-Founder, said, “We are modeling outsized returns for this fund, given the rapid growth of the market, the enormous demand for capital and the low level of investor competition given the esoteric nature of the space. We are also excited to roll up our sleeves and become an integral part of our portfolio companies as a financial, strategic and operational partner.”

G. Benjamin Bingham, Managing Director of Benchmark Asset Managers, LLC and a member of Meidlinger’s Advisory Board, commented, “Benchmark’s investors are looking for exposure to private companies, especially in the growing cleantech space. Our firm is proud to have been a founding investor in this fund and sees great promise for the future.”


Meidlinger made its first investment in Triton Water AG, an advanced water treatment company headquartered near Hamburg, Germany. The business provides end to end water and wastewater solutions for cargo ships and cruise ships, industrial companies such as its customers Airbus and Deutsche Solar, and municipalities. Meidlinger co-invested with Zouk Ventures, LTD in Triton.

Founded in November 2008, Meidlinger Partners, LLC is a Philadelphia based private equity investment firm dedicated to capitalizing businesses that will make a meaningful contribution towards a more sustainable environment and economy. For more information please visit www.meidlingerpartners.net :



Meidlinger Partners, LLCKevin Brophy, 215-701-3299orBenchmark
Asset Managers, LLC215-525-4857