Southern Ute Tribe's Kava Equity Partners Acquires The Berg Group

The acquisition expands Kava's portfolio into integrated, industrialized construction solutions.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund announced that its direct private equity investment group, Kava Equity Partners, has acquired The Berg Group, a nationally recognized specialty contractor and provider of integrated construction solutions. The acquisition expands Kava's portfolio into industrialized construction and aligns with the Southern Ute Tribe's values of economic empowerment, environmental stewardship, and community development.

Why it matters

The acquisition of The Berg Group by Kava Equity Partners, the investment arm of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund, represents a strategic move to expand into the growing industrialized construction market. The deal aligns with the Tribe's focus on long-term, values-driven investments that create economic opportunities while upholding their cultural principles.

The details

The Berg Group has evolved from a commercial drywall contractor into a nationally recognized specialty contractor providing integrated construction solutions. The company utilizes advanced technologies, prefabrication, and off-site manufacturing to help clients reduce risk, control costs, and shorten schedules. Kava's acquisition of Berg will allow the company to scale its industrialized construction capabilities while benefiting from the additional resources and expertise of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund.

  • Kava Equity Partners announced the strategic acquisition of The Berg Group on February 24, 2026.

The players

Kava Equity Partners

The direct private equity investment group of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund, which invests long-term, patient capital in lower middle market businesses aligned with the Southern Ute values of economic empowerment, environmental stewardship, and community development.

The Berg Group

A nationally recognized specialty contractor and provider of integrated construction solutions, founded in 1967 as Berg Drywall. The company utilizes advanced technologies, prefabrication, and off-site manufacturing to help clients reduce risk, control costs, and shorten schedules.

Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund

The business arm of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, established in the late 1990s to manage the Tribe's operating businesses and investment entities.

James Dudley

Managing Director of Kava Equity Partners.

Jack Szmanda

CEO of The Berg Group.

Shane Seibel

Executive Director of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund.

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What they’re saying

“This partnership reflects our commitment to investing in companies that honor the values of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe while delivering strong long-term economic opportunity. Berg's culture of integrity, safety, and continuous improvement make them an ideal fit for Kava and the Growth Fund.”

— James Dudley, Managing Director of Kava Equity Partners (venturebeat.com)

“Kava's acquisition of Berg marks a powerful next chapter for the company, our team, and the clients we serve. Their long-term partnership mindset positions Berg to scale with discipline, pursue new opportunities nationwide, and create lasting value for our team and trusted partners.”

— Jack Szmanda, CEO of The Berg Group (venturebeat.com)

“By bringing Berg into the Kava portfolio, we are investing in a company at the forefront of industrialized construction, prefabrication, and technology-enabled building solutions while upholding the cultural values that guide the Tribe's long-term investment philosophy.”

— Shane Seibel, Executive Director of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund (venturebeat.com)

What’s next

The acquisition is expected to close in the coming weeks, after which The Berg Group will continue operating under its existing management team and brand, with the additional resources and capabilities of Kava Equity Partners and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund.

The takeaway

The acquisition of The Berg Group by Kava Equity Partners, the investment arm of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund, demonstrates the Tribe's commitment to long-term, values-driven investments that support the growth of innovative companies while upholding their cultural principles of economic empowerment, environmental stewardship, and community development.