Stellus Capital Management, LLC Provides Unitranche Financing to Support the Acquisition of Pink Buckle and Ruby Buckle by Equine Network, a Portfolio Company of Growth Catalyst Partners

HOUSTON & CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Stellus Capital Management, LLC (“Stellus”) announced today that its affiliates provided senior debt financing to support the acquisition of Pink Buckle and Ruby Buckle (“P&R”), a series of prestigious barrel racing competitions, by Equine Network, LLC (“Equine Network” or the “Company”), a portfolio company of Growth Catalyst Partners (“GCP”).

With its strategic acquisitions within the equine industry, Equine Network has positioned itself as the world’s most valuable equine resource for riders and their horses. With offerings including member-only competitions, roadside assistance, subscription-based products, and online learning channels and other proprietary content, Equine Network will continue to build and acquire additional services and solutions to enable its current and future members to enjoy and participate in the equine industry more easily. The P&R acquisition fits naturally with the Equine Network’s expansive growth plans, adding a new dimension to its robust Western Sports Group offerings.

Scott Peters, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at GCP, said, “We appreciate Stellus’ ability to work quickly and efficiently in support of the transaction. We look forward to deepening our relationship with Stellus as we continue to accelerate the growth of Equine Network.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with GCP and to support Equine Network as they continue to build their platform,” said Bill Haverland, Principal at Stellus, adding, “We believe the Company’s leading market position will enable further expansion to serve their loyal customer base.”

About Stellus Capital Management

Stellus Capital Management (“Stellus”) is one of the longest-tenured direct lenders specializing in senior secured loans in the lower middle market. Formed within the D.E. Shaw Group in 2004, Stellus spun out in 2012 and today manages $2.9 billion across various investment vehicles including closed-end institutional funds, a public BDC (NYSE: SCM), and a perpetual non-traded private BDC. Stellus is a single strategy firm and its founding partners have invested together in the lower middle market for 19+ years with a track record of $8.5bn deployed across ~350 transactions. Stellus is headquartered in Houston, TX with offices in the Washington D.C. area and Charlotte, NC. Learn more at stelluscapital.com.

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Sarah Bowes

BackBay Communications

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sarah.bowes@backbaycommunications.com

Source: Stellus Capital Management, LLC