Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), a private equity firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, announced today a growth investment in Kinneberg Management Group (“KMG”), a leading retail commerce enablement provider that helps consumer brands win and grow across the largest U.S. retail channels. Founder and CEO Doug Kinneberg will retain a significant ownership stake and continue to lead the company alongside its existing leadership team. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, KMG provides emerging and established consumer brands with white-glove support to navigate the entire retail process, from pitching products and securing shelf space to negotiating with retailers, keeping products in stock, and managing retail media. KMG also provides industry-leading category management services directly to retailers.
On TSCP’s partnership, Doug Kinneberg, Founder and CEO of KMG, remarked, “When I started KMG in 2014, my belief was that we would win by providing substantive, high-quality work to our brand and retailer partners. That philosophy has built a team that hundreds of brands, and the retailers they serve, rely on every day. Thompson Street understands businesses like ours, and their partnership gives us the resources we need to further invest in our people, expand our capabilities, and drive more success for our clients.”
Dan Cooper, Managing Director at TSCP, said, “Few firms in this industry are trusted by consumer brands and retailers alike. Doug Kinneberg and the KMG team have earned that differentiated position over many years by consistently delivering best-in-class results. We look forward to supporting Doug and the team as they continue serving their existing partners and extend KMG’s reach to new brands and retailers.”
Andy Bauer, Vice President at TSCP, added, “KMG is exactly the type of founder-led business we look to partner with at Thompson Street. We are excited to work with Doug and his team in the next phase of KMG’s impressive growth trajectory.”
Craig-Hallum Capital Group served as financial advisor and Simon Counsel served as legal counsel to KMG. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to TSCP.
