Virtus Equity is a Chicago based investment firm that invests exclusively in privately held companies across the lower middle market healthcare services spectrum. We seek to identify companies with strong fundamentals, significant growth potential and stable cash flows. We partner with experienced operators to help a company meet its full potential and help accelerate its growth. On a select basis, Virtus also invests in distressed businesses and healthcare real estate opportunities.Virtus is an opportunistic investor and does not have a fixed investment mandate. We have a high degree of flexibility regarding investment structure and time horizon and work with existing business owners to help achieve an optimal outcome for all parties.
Our Investment Criteria
We look for multiple variables when making an investment.
Consistent Cashflow
We target businesses with $1 – $10 million in EBITDA that have a history of consistent performance and cash flow.
Majority Investment
We seek to partner with dedicated entrepreneurs through making a majority investment. Significant equity is often retained by leadership in companies that we invest in depending upon the goals of all stakeholders.
Attractive Growth Potential
We look for businesses in the healthcare space with attractive growth potential within their niche.
Experienced and or Coachable Leaders
We seek out experienced leaders and young executives who have the capacity for growth.
Strong Local Presence
We look for businesses with a strong local presence that can expand geographically.
About Us
Our team has decades of experience in the healthcare and private equity space.
Rutul Shah, Managing Director
Rutul is currently CEO of Tides Mental Health and concurrently runs Virtus Equity as an independent sponsor. Rutul has extensive transaction experience both as a private equity investor and an advisor, with a sector focus in provider-based healthcare services. Prior to founding Tides, Rutul served as a Partner at Birchwood Healthcare Partners, a private investment firm focused on investments in the post-acute and long term care industries. While at Birchwood, he was responsible for sourcing, underwriting, capitalizing and overseeing investment opportunities.Prior to Birchwood, Rutul served as Vice President at Creative Health Capital, a merchant bank focused on the healthcare services industry, and as an Associate at Linden LLC, a private equity partnership focused on healthcare products and related service companies. Mr. Shah began his career in the healthcare investment banking group at Merrill Lynch & Co. where he provided M&A advisory services and executed financing transactions for healthcare and life science companies. During his career, Mr. Shah has completed transactions with over 25 companies, representing aggregate deal value of over $3 billion.Mr. Shah holds an MBA with honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Bio-Engineering from Northwestern University.
Our Investments
Virtus has built a strong portfolio of companies that fit our thesis.
Tides Mental Health
Tides Mental Health is a new Chicago based mental health clinic focused on accessible, quality care to those in and around the Lakeview and Lincoln Park markets.
Campbell Street Services
Campbell Street Services is a leader in senior care communities. They offer services for Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing.
MPAC Healthcare
MPAC Healthcare offers post-acute services to help patients stay out of high level care. This reduces patient attrition and cost for healthcare systems, being more productive and efficient for clients.
Pillar Health Pharmacy
Pillar Health Pharmacy provides pharmacy services to residential senior living homes. They simplify the process for care providers and improve the lives of their patients via simple, consistent pharmacy services.