Astria Elevate Launches Private Investment Firm Focused on Operational Growth

Firm led by veteran investors brings hands-on expertise to founder- and family-owned businesses

DALLAS, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Astria Elevate ("Astria"), co-founded by Shaun R. Gordon and long-time collaborator John S. Ehlinger, today announced the formal launch of a growth-oriented and operationally focused private investment firm specializing in partnering with founder, family, and entrepreneur-owned businesses.

Drawing on their extensive backgrounds, Gordon—an award-winning investor and operator known for founding and leading AGI Partners—and Ehlinger—a seasoned executive and turnaround investor who most recently led a turnaround and M&A roll-up in the healthcare services sector—bring a hands-on, value-driven approach to Astria Elevate. Their leadership, marked by industry recognition, successful exits, and transformative growth in challenging markets, inspired the creation of Astria Elevate, a firm dedicated to delivering value beyond capital by operationalizing strategic plans, empowering teams, and building lasting business foundations.

Astria Elevate focuses on investing in growing businesses and supporting management teams that deliver critical services to support modern society. The firm targets platform companies with $3 million to $20 million in EBITDA characterized by highly visible revenue streams, profitable operations, and compelling opportunities to drive transformative growth. Astria Elevate is actively pursuing opportunities in sectors where the firm and its partners have direct operating experience including asset-light business services, industrial automation, technical services, manufacturing, experiential marketing, and healthcare services.

To support these efforts, Astria Elevate recently appointed Matt Hawkins as Vice President to support investment execution and portfolio management, bringing deep private equity and operational expertise from Nonantum Capital Partners and Boston Consulting Group. He joins a multidisciplinary team of seasoned experts, operators, and advisors, including leaders in law, strategy, organizational transformation, and business development, who provide ongoing strategic guidance to help businesses achieve transformative, sustainable growth.

"We founded Astria Elevate to partner with founders and families seeking to meaningfully grow their businesses beyond their local markets. By bringing our firsthand operational and entrepreneurial experience to these investment partnerships, we aim to help management teams break through their current barriers and realize substantial improvement in sales, profitability and market reach," said Gordon. "As experienced operators ourselves, we understand that true business value extends beyond spreadsheets. Our team leverages deep expertise in operational performance, analytics, leadership development, and organizational strategy to enhance and accelerate the success of our partner businesses." 

Ehlinger added, "Our collaborative approach with management teams differentiates us significantly from traditional investors in the lower-middle-market. By aligning with the values and ambitions of the entrepreneurs we partner with, Astria Elevate fosters an environment conducive to growth, innovation, and sustained excellence. We believe successful organizations already know at their core what they need to do to meaningfully scale their operations. Our past successes have come by turning that knowledge into strategic action." 

Astria Elevate is anchored by select family office investors and backed by institutional equity partners, ensuring a patient, supportive, and flexible investment approach tailored to founder and family-led businesses.

The name "Astria" is inspired by the Greek word for "star" and the mythological figure Astraea, symbolizing guidance, excellence, and the pursuit of stellar outcomes. Astria Elevate embodies this spirit by helping businesses reach their brightest potential.

For further information about Astria Elevate, please visit astriaelevate.com. 

About Astria Elevate LP 

Astria Elevate LP invests in founder- and family-owned businesses with an emphasis on operational excellence and strategic partnership. Recognizing that lasting business value comes from exceptional leadership, operational discipline, and strategic execution, Astria Elevate provides targeted expertise in performance improvement, analytics, leadership development, and organizational design to drive significant, sustained growth. The firm's investment team combines substantial experience as both investors and operators of lower-middle-market companies, enabling them to offer practical, hands-on support tailored specifically to each platform business. 

SOURCE Astria Elevate L.P.