Fertitta Capital Launches With $500 Million

LOS ANGELES, May 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fertitta Capital, a private investment firm, today announced its official launch with an initial seed investment of $500 million from Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta. The Firm will focus on consumer-facing companies in the technology, media and entertainment sectors and invest across the capital structure. Nakisa Bidarian will lead Fertitta Capital as CEO and co-founder and be responsible for the deployment of the Firm's capital.

"There is tremendous opportunity in the market for a firm that combines patient capital with this unique team of experienced investors and operators," said Lorenzo Fertitta, chairman of Fertitta Capital. "Our long-term view enables us to avoid mandated investment timelines and instead focus exclusively on what really matters—understanding the needs of the companies we partner with and helping them achieve their operational and financial objectives."

Fertitta continued, "We have known and worked side-by-side with Nakisa for almost a decade. His understanding of corporate finance and operational strategy and how both translate into building businesses is something we've witnessed first-hand. These traits will be invaluable to the firm as its portfolio of investments grows."

The Fertitta brothers have a long history of building some of the most successful companies in industries in which they have invested and operated. Most recently, in 2016, they sold Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to WME|IMG, Silver Lake Partners and KKR, in what was the largest sports-related sale in history. That same year, they also sold Fertitta Entertainment, Inc., a gaming and leisure management company, as part of their successful IPO of Red Rock Resorts, a leading developer and operator of casino entertainment properties in the U.S.

"It is a privilege to be able to continue to work with Lorenzo and Frank who I greatly admire both personally and professionally," said Bidarian. "They bring unparalleled experience to every business opportunity and a drive to win that is evidenced by their undisputed, successful track record. With Fertitta Capital, we've created a special firm that will leverage our collective experience across multiple industries and provide bespoke solutions based on each opportunity. Our investment philosophy will be driven by partnering with exceptional people who we believe can achieve extraordinary results."

Before Fertitta Capital, Bidarian served as the CFO of UFC where he led the conceptualization, negotiation and execution of the sale of UFC. Bidarian also has held positions at Accenture, Citi, Morgan Stanley and, most recently, the Mubadala Development Company, a multi-billion-dollar sovereign investment company, where he spearheaded their international real estate investment efforts.

Bidarian will be joined at Fertitta Capital by Sam Bakhshandehpour who will be a managing director. Bakhshandehpour was formerly the CEO of sbe Entertainment and before that spent the majority of his 15-year Wall Street career at J.P. Morgan where he was global head of gaming and west coast head of real estate & lodging investment banking. Added Bakhshandehpour: "I've watched with admiration what Nakisa and the Fertitta brothers have accomplished over the years and I am very excited to partner with them. The firm they have created enables us to focus solely on sourcing, building and supporting companies. The long-term, partnership-driven philosophy at Fertitta Capital is a unique differentiator for us."

About Fertitta Capital

Fertitta Capital is a private investment firm founded by Frank Fertitta III, Lorenzo Fertitta and Nakisa Bidarian. The Firm has a permanent capital base, and invests throughout a business' lifecycle and across the capital structure in consumer-facing companies in the technology, media and entertainment sectors. The combined team has over 100 years of advising, investing and operating experience in various sectors, with a proven track record of successful, industry-leading exits. Fertitta Capital's investment philosophy is driven by partnering with exceptional people who the Firm believes can achieve extraordinary results. For additional information, please visit www.fertittacapital.com.

Media Contacts: 
Nick Rust or Mickey Mandelbaum 
Prosek Partners 
(212) 279-3115 
[email protected] 
[email protected]

SOURCE Fertitta Capital