Episode

Key Takeaways

AE Industrial Partners manages $7.2 billion, specializing in national security and aerospace investments.
The firm focuses on critical technology sectors including space, autonomy, and cybersecurity.
AEI employs a specialized, operational approach with patient, multi-year investment horizons.
Managing Partner Kirk Conner highlighted deep industry expertise and navigating government-influenced sectors.

AE Industrial Partners manages $7.2 billion in assets, focusing on national security, aerospace, and industrial services.
The firm operates as a buyout specialist, making control investments in companies addressing national security challenges.
Since 1998, AEI has completed over 140 investments, leveraging extensive industry expertise.
The guest, Kirk Conner, joined AEI in 2014, having previously worked at Sun Capital Partners and Wells Fargo Securities.

AEI prioritizes investments with bipartisan consensus, particularly in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors.
The firm actively invests in space technology, including companies such as Redwire Space, Firefly Aerospace, and York Space.
Firefly Aerospace successfully landed autonomously on the moon in March, while York Space is disrupting satellite manufacturing.
Other key investment domains include autonomy, applied in drones and ground-based systems, and cybersecurity, focused on defending national infrastructure against daily attacks.

AE Industrial Partners provides operational support to its portfolio companies through a deeply integrated team.
This team comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds, including engineers and former business leaders.
They develop detailed operational playbooks before deal closure, working directly with companies post-acquisition to foster long-term growth.
The firm maintains a large operational team relative to its assets under management (AUM) to assist companies in scaling and executing growth plans, recognizing lengthy development and sales cycles, particularly with government customers.

Kirk Conner began his career in banking during the 2008 financial crisis, then transitioned to private equity at Sun Capital before joining AEI 11 years ago.
The firm was founded by a father-son team with an initial focus on middle-market commercial aerospace companies.
Around 2015, AEI expanded its investment strategy to include national security and space sectors.

The guest relocated to Washington D.C. two months prior to be at the center of national security investments and better serve portfolio companies.
This move led to establishing a local team in D.C. focused on government relations and business development.
The guest cited their father, an electrical lineman, as a profound influence, instilling values of perseverance and hard work.
Involvement in youth sports and a college football career at Davidson, a university also attended by NBA player Steph Curry, reinforced lessons in teamwork and resilience.