ORIGINATE PARTNERS

Acquiring Established Lower Middle Market Businesses

We acquire entire businesses or majority stakes, often retaining part of the former ownership to ensure continuity and accelerate growth. We believe the best results come from combining our operational expertise, financial strength, and systems with the industry insight and relationships of existing leaders. Our goal is to preserve the legacy you’ve built while unlocking new growth potential.

The Originate Advantage

  • We Buy to Build

    We acquire businesses to own, operate and grow for the long term.

  • Our Own Capital at Work

    Every acquisition is funded with profits from our operating businesses.  We reinvest excess cash flow into buying and growing other businesses.

  • Operators First

    We’re business builders, not financiers.  Our background is running and scaling companies, not managing funds.

  • Strength in Synergies

    Our companies support one another through shared networks, resources and expertise, creating value that goes beyond any one business.

Let's Connect

Our Acquisition Criteria

At Originate Partners, we are actively seeking established service-based businesses in the Greater Toronto Area. Our goal is to partner with owners who have built strong companies and are considering the next stage in their journey.

  • We focus on businesses with strong roots in the GTA, where we can leverage our local presence and networks.

  • We seek well established companies with 10+ years of operating history.

  • Targeting companies with scale, stability, and strong cash flow to support long-term growth.

  • Open to tailored structures — including earnouts, equity rollovers, or all-cash transactions — to meet seller needs.

Top Companies In Our Portfolio

  • Originate Developments

    A Toronto-based infill development firm with $3 Billion of residential communities currently in development.

  • Sage Living

    Purpose-driven, tenant-first property management company with over 3,500 units actively under management in 10 properties across the GTA.

  • The Commencement Group

    The Commencement Group is the largest on-campus event retailer across universities in Canada and the U.S., offering a wide range of products that celebrate milestone moments. Its portfolio includes officially licensed apparel and memorabilia for hundreds of schools.


  • In8 Developments & Construction Management

    A construction manager who has completed over $1 Billion worth of residential developments across Southwestern Ontario for the past 20 years.

Our Team

Entrepreneurs with a proven track record of founding, acquiring, and operating diversified businesses. We are long-term operators who start, purchase, invest in, and grow companies - never to flip, always to strengthen. Over the past decade, we've acquired five businesses and launched six more, building a portfolio spanning real estate development, construction, property management, and retail and apparel-licensing services.

Adam Sheffer - Partner

Darryl Firsten - Partner

Contact us.

adam@originate.ca
(647) 222-3116

1500 Don Mills Road
Toronto, ON

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