Trident Accelerates its Mission to Leverage Data and Technology to Promote Equitable Access to the American Dream

Seed investments by Robert F. Smith and Bank of America

NEW YORK, October 12, 2021 – Trident, an institutional asset manager that utilizes proprietary technology and a systematic approach to invest in high potential small businesses in the Healthcare, Consumer and Industrial sectors, today announced that it has secured seed capital and anchor investments to accelerate the firm’s growth and pursue its investment activities.

In addition, Trident has announced the creation of the Trident American Dreams Advisory Board with luminaries representing the community and public and private sectors: Richelieu Dennis, CEO and Executive Chairman, Essence Ventures; Maurice Jones, CEO, OneTen; Shelley Stewart, Jr. Chairman, Billion Dollar Roundtable; Clarence Otis, Former CEO, Darden Restaurants; Tameka Alsop, Chief of Staff, Moody’s; and Freada Kapor Klein, Founding Partner, Kapor Capital.

Founded in 2017 by Eric Taylor, a former portfolio manager at Brightwood Capital and a Goldman Sachs Special Situations alumnus, Trident uses proprietary quantitative technology to invest in overlooked and underserved small businesses in the U.S. with a lens for generating significant alpha while sparking positive social and economic change in minority communities. While targeting small businesses representing nearly $8 trillion in asset value that is currently untapped by institutional investors, Trident aims to mobilize billions into this underpenetrated asset class and has already started deploying capital. Trident’s legacy portfolio is comprised of active investments in four companies currently after the firm successfully completed their first divestiture in 2020. With a commitment to maximize commercial returns for investors and social outcomes for black and other minority communities, initial investors include Bank of America, Moody’s, Richelieu Dennis, Sengal Selassie, Bob Nelsen, Freada & Mitch Kapor, Al Dombrowski and Robert F. Smith.

“We are thrilled to have the support of such a strong slate of investors for Trident,” said Eric Taylor, Founder, CEO and CIO of Trident. “Trident seeks to generate outsized returns for investors while amplifying the social and economic benefits of everyday small businesses, especially for those in the Black community. Having aligned investors as well as the support of the Trident American Dreams Advisory Board will allow us to fast-track achieving our goal of doing well while doing good.”

“Our investment in Trident is another way we’re addressing a persistent gap in access to capital,” said Jose Tavarez, Bank of America President of New York City and Vice Chairman, Private Bank. “Supporting the Trident team’s work to advance commercial investments, while making a meaningful impact within minority communities and driving small business growth is aligned with our commitment to advance racial equality and create economic opportunity.”

The terms of the investment were not disclosed.

ABOUT TRIDENT

Trident is a private equity firm focused on acquiring US-based small businesses across three core sectors: Healthcare, Consumer, and Industrials. Trident’s comparative advantage is in its systematic approach to sourcing and diligence of small-cap opportunities and the incorporation of proprietary technology to make the investment process scalable and repeatable. Trident’s strategy also encompasses reducing the racial wealth gap through investment in people and opportunities by using a post-transaction playbook that incorporates elements of diversity, equity and inclusion designed to amplify commercial outcomes for our Limited Partners. Trident was founded by Eric Taylor in 2017 and is both black-owned and women-led. For more information, please visit www.trident.co.

INVESTOR CONTACT

Trident Investor Relations
ir@trident.co

MEDIA CONTACT

Profile Advisors
Rich Myers and Rachel Goun
trident@profileadvisors.com
(347) 343-2999