Godspeed Capital invests in Huckabee Architects

Backstory

In 2020, Huckabee Architects (“Huckabee”) was a ~$90 million revenue architecture firm focused exclusively on the Texas K-12 education market.  Under the leadership of CEO, Chris Huckabee, the firm had experienced top quartile growth and profit margins compared to peers.  

Challenge

The company was entirely concentrated in a single geographic market (Texas) and single service (K-12 architecture).  The management team had ambitions to accelerate growth through a robust acquisition strategy, and leverage their winning formula for top quartile performance in order to build a diverse, nationwide architectural design business.  

However, Huckabee’s primary challenge was they had never completed a significant acquisition in the company’s history and the firm was primarily owned by one individual.  A robust acquisition strategy would require significant capital resources and an experienced partner who could assist in deal structuring, financing, and integration processes.  

Turning Point

Huckabee engaged AEC Advisors to help find a capital partner who could address these challenges and help take Huckabee to the proverbial next level.  AEC Advisors conducted a systematic, yet confidential, process to identify and negotiate with financial sponsors, including both traditional private equity firms and family office investors.  

Outcome

In 2022, Huckabee and private equity firm Godspeed Capital announced a transaction in which Godspeed Capital made a majority investment in the firm.  Through this investment, Huckabee was established as the platform brand for a new architecture, engineering, and consulting services and solutions growth strategy focused on providing cutting edge, technology-driven design and engineering solutions in high-growth U.S. markets.  

The existing Huckabee leadership and management team remained fully intact and retained a significant equity stake in the company.  In the first 6-month since they deal closed, the company already made 4 acquisitions increasing its revenue by ~80% on a run-rate basis.