5C
5C Investment Partners is a New York-based alternative investment firm specializing in private credit, founded in September 2023 by Tom Connolly and Michael Koester, two former senior executives from Goldman Sachs. Connolly previously served as Partner and Global Head of Private Credit in Goldman's Merchant Banking Division, overseeing a large portfolio of credit strategies, while Koester held the role of Co-President of Goldman's alternative investments unit. Together, they launched 5C to apply their decades of private markets experience to a focused, principles-driven credit platform built around four core values: commitment to clients, focus on credit fundamentals, a desire to be a trusted partner, and an emphasis on attracting top-tier talent.
The firm's primary investment strategy is senior direct lending to sponsor-backed, upper-middle market companies with high-quality business models and durable competitive advantages. 5C commenced investing activities with $1.6 billion of available capital, which encompassed equity commitments, target leverage, and a co-investment program anchored by Liberty Mutual Investments and the Dell Family Office. The platform is structured to provide flexible financing solutions to companies that may not fit the criteria of traditional bank lenders, positioning 5C as a meaningful alternative in the direct lending space for both borrowers and institutional investors.
Since its launch, 5C Investment Partners has assembled a team of over 20 experienced investment professionals, bringing together deep expertise in credit underwriting, portfolio management, and risk assessment. The firm is registered with the SEC through its adviser entities, 5C Investment Partners Advisor LLC and 5C Lending Partners Advisor LLC. With institutional anchor partners of the caliber of Liberty Mutual Investments and the Dell Family Office providing early validation, 5C has positioned itself as a credible and well-capitalized entrant in the competitive private credit landscape, attracting attention from institutional allocators seeking high-quality senior secured exposure.