Behavior Frontiers Announces Sale to NexPhase Capital

LOS ANGELES, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Behavior Frontiers, a national leader in autism therapy, has announced its successful sale to NexPhase Capital, a private equity firm with extensive experience in autism therapy, healthcare, and software development. The transaction will continue to position Behavior Frontiers for a future defined by innovation, access, and exceptional clinical outcomes.

Behavior Frontiers was founded in 2004 by its CEO Helen Mader to bring consistent, high-quality care backed by cutting-edge research and data-driven practices to individuals with autism across all age groups, with a particular emphasis on early intervention care for children between the ages of 3 to 6 years old. Since Lorient's investment, Behavior Frontiers has exemplified what's possible when private capital partners with purpose-driven, clinical operators to transform care. In under five years, the company expanded its active client base from approximately 900 to 2,850, while growing its employee base from 1,300 to more than 3,300. Over 1,000 team members earned internal promotions during that time, reflecting an investment in people and a commitment to clinical excellence.

Helen Mader, Co-Founder & CEO of Behavior Frontiers, said:

"This partnership with Lorient has been one of the most meaningful chapters in our company's history. Together, we've expanded access to high-quality autism treatment, invested deeply in our team, and built tools like PrioraCare that are transforming how we serve families. As we join forces with NexPhase, we're more energized than ever about the road ahead. Our mission remains the same, and our potential has never been greater."

Central to this transformation has been the introduction of PrioraCare, Behavior Frontiers' proprietary software platform that automates curriculum management, logs real-time data, and reports measurable outcomes. This innovation helped drive dramatic reductions in aggression and tantrums, multiples of improvement in VB-MAPP test scores among young clients, and significant increases in learning trials per hour — all without increasing cost to payors or families.

These outcomes underscore how responsible private investment can create scalable solutions, advance quality services, and improve clinical outcomes across the continuum of care. Behavior Frontiers' expansion into center-based services — with 26 new locations opened — complements its home-based legacy and reflects a commitment to multi-modal care delivery. Recent industry data shows that 96% of applied behavior analysis (ABA) providers believe combining center and home-based treatment provides the greatest benefit to families.

Jordan Broome, Managing Partner at Lorient Capital, commented:

"Behavior Frontiers is a testament to the impact that can be achieved when purpose, clinical quality, and innovation align with thoughtful capital. This team has created a platform that is both clinically excellent and operationally scalable — and one that puts children and families first. We are incredibly proud of what's been accomplished and excited to see BF thrive in its next chapter."

Andy Kieffer, Partner at NexPhase Capital, added:

"We are excited to be partnering with Helen and the incredible team she has built at Behavior Frontiers, which has brought transformative care to thousands of children and families over the past two decades. NexPhase has tremendous conviction in this business and its potential to serve more families in existing and new markets across the country. We look forward to leveraging our resources and significant experience working alongside leading ABA providers to help Behavior Frontiers continue delivering on its mission to provide personalized care for every child—one milestone at a time."

With industry-leading employee and client Net Promoter Scores — 2.4x and 1.5x stronger than national benchmarks, respectively — Behavior Frontiers has become a beacon for families navigating autism treatment and a home for the field's most talented and passionate providers and staff. Its in-house training program, built on PrioraCare, has driven market leading (RBT) pass rates for new hires, significantly exceeding industry averages and showcasing the potential of integrated technology and clinical training.

Leadership at Behavior Frontiers will remain in place to continue executing on their mission of expanding access to care, driving operational excellence, and advancing innovation in the field of autism therapy. Backed by NexPhase Capital, the company is poised to accelerate its strategy and reach more families in need.

About Behavior Frontiers

Behavior Frontiers is a leading provider of ABA treatment services for individuals with autism and other special needs. With a commitment to clinical quality, innovation, and access, the company serves clients through home- and center-based models across the United States. For more information, please visit www.behaviorfrontiers.com.

About NexPhase Capital

NexPhase Capital is a thematically driven and operationally focused lower middle-market private equity firm that makes investments in growth-oriented and capital-efficient companies within three distinct industry verticals: healthcare, software and consumer. NexPhase partners with companies that have reached a growth inflection point and are seeking a value-added partner to help navigate the company's "next phase." The NexPhase team has extensive industry and operational experience and NPC's Partners have invested together for over 15 years. NexPhase has completed over 100 investments, including add-ons, and targets equity investments between $40 million and $150 million. Since inception, NexPhase has raised and managed approximately $2.6 billion of capital. For more information, please visit www.NexPhase.com.

About Lorient Capital

Lorient Capital is a healthcare-focused investment firm that partners with founders and management teams to build enduring businesses that improve outcomes and reduce costs across the healthcare ecosystem. For more information, please visit www.lorientcap.com.

SOURCE Lorient Capital