Garden City Equity Raises $255 Million from Prominent, Mission-Aligned Investors

The people-first holding company plans to use the funds to acquire and grow family- and founder-owned businesses in the South and Southwest U.S.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Garden City Equity, a holding company focused on acquiring and growing family- and founder-owned businesses, has raised $255 million from approximately 200 mission-aligned investors including athletes, business executives, and artists. The firm, founded in 2020 by former DocuSign executive Michael Arrieta, aims to provide a 'people-first' approach by supporting portfolio company employees through initiatives like financial literacy classes, counseling services, and no-interest loans.

Why it matters

Garden City Equity's unique investment model and focus on supporting employees sets it apart from traditional private equity firms. In an era of rising income inequality, the firm's 'people-first' approach could serve as a model for how businesses can create lasting impact and improve lives in the communities where they operate.

The details

Garden City Equity targets lower middle-market businesses in the South and Southwest United States with up to $25 million in EBITDA. Since its inception in 2020, the firm has supported eight companies with more than 500 team members. In addition to competitive wages and benefits, Garden City invests in a wide range of initiatives to support its portfolio companies' employees, including financial literacy classes, language courses, no-interest loans, and funding for therapy and counseling.

  • Garden City Equity was founded in 2020.
  • The firm announced it has raised $255 million on February 12, 2026.

The players

Garden City Equity

A people-first holding company focused on acquiring and growing family- and founder-owned businesses in the South and Southwest United States.

Michael Arrieta

The founder and CEO of Garden City Equity, who previously served as the Global VP and Chief of Staff at DocuSign.

Drew Brees

A former NFL quarterback and one of the approximately 200 mission-aligned shareholders who invested in Garden City Equity.

John C. Maxwell

A #1 New York Times best-selling author and leadership expert who is an investor in Garden City Equity.

Ace Hardware

The company led by CEO John Venhuizen, who is one of Garden City Equity's mission-aligned investors.

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What they’re saying

“Growing up as the son of Puerto Rican parents working blue collar jobs, I saw first-hand that working hard didn't necessarily lead to opportunities to thrive. I founded Garden City Equity not only to generate returns for investors, but also to partner with existing leaders who would continue to run their businesses, and to create lasting impact where every portfolio company team member is treated with dignity, respect, and purpose.”

— Michael Arrieta, Founder and CEO of Garden City Equity

“The average American spends over 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime, and we believe providing for team members in the workplace is one of the most powerful ways to impact people and our country.”

— Michael Arrieta, Founder and CEO of Garden City Equity

“Michael is a unique servant and steward. Not only do we like Garden City because of their investment values, but the returns they generate support the model.”

— John C. Maxwell, #1 New York Times best-selling author and leadership expert

What’s next

Garden City Equity plans to use the $255 million it has raised to continue acquiring and growing family- and founder-owned businesses in the South and Southwest United States.

The takeaway

Garden City Equity's 'people-first' investment approach, which prioritizes supporting employees through a range of initiatives, could serve as a model for how private equity firms can create lasting impact and improve lives in the communities where they operate.