Open to the right conversation Chicago, Illinois

Operator. Investor. Builder.

I’m Phil Penton. I invest in businesses across the USA and step inside them to drive growth, modernize how they work, and build what comes next.

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Commercial excellence Financial excellence Operational efficiency SIOP EOS Software AI & automation Python & React AI in the workflow
(01) About

I invest, operate, and build. A business ready for its next chapter. A team that needs a better way to work. An idea that challenges the way things are done. Modernize the business. Unlock its growth.

I’m a Managing Director in middle-market private equity, focused on businesses across the USA. My interests span software, manufacturing, AI, automotive, and businesses where better systems help people work more effectively. I work as an interim CEO, executive chair, board member, and consultant—from due diligence and thesis validation to putting the plan into action.

My background is software development and scaling businesses. I still write code, implement ERP and CRM systems, build AI and automation into workflows, and help teams turn go-to-market plans into execution. The thread through all of it is growth: rethink the model, remove friction, and make the business better equipped for what comes next.

Three ways
I show up.

(02) What I do
01 / 03

Invest

I invest across the USA, with a focus on software, manufacturing, AI, automotive, and businesses where people do the heavy lifting. I look for opportunities to rethink the model, modernize the business, and unlock growth.

Middle market USA Manufacturing Growth & innovation
02 / 03

Operate

Interim CEO, executive chair, board member, and consultant. I support due diligence and thesis validation, then help teams turn the plan into action: sharpen commercial focus, simplify work, and use technology to make people more effective.

Interim CEOBoard memberConsultingDue diligenceThesis validation Executive chair Modernization Operational efficiency
03 / 03

Build

Software, AI, and implementation that change how a business works. ERP and CRM systems, go-to-market strategy and execution, workflow automation, and the tools that connect it all. I help teams put the systems in place, get them working, and turn ideas into growth.

SoftwareImplementationERP & CRMGo-to-market AI & automation Python React AI

How I work.

(03) Principles
/01

Find the growth.

Get clear on where the business can win. Test the thesis, sharpen the commercial focus, and put resources behind the opportunities that matter.

/02

Challenge the model.

Question the way things have always been done. Test new ideas, learn quickly, and turn innovation into something customers value.

/03

Modernize with purpose.

Use better systems, software, and AI to remove friction. Start with the business problem, then implement what makes a measurable difference.

/04

Make teams stronger.

Give people clear priorities, useful tools, and simpler workflows. Help them spend less time working around the system and more time moving the business forward.

(04) Contact

Let’s
talk.

Investing, an operating role, advice, or an idea you want to pressure-test. Tell me what you’re working on and I’ll get back to you.

Chicago, Illinois Central Time
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