Strategic Funding Source, Inc., a leading provider of direct financing to small and midsize businesses, today announced that it has received a $35 million initial investment as part of a $110.0 million line of equity financing arrangement from Pine Brook, an investment firm focused on building businesses in the energy and financial services sectors. Pine Brook’s investment will provide the company with access to capital to promote future growth. Strategic Funding Source’s management team will continue to hold a significant interest in the company.

“It was important to find a partner that truly understands how we approach our business,” said Andrew Reiser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Funding Source. “Pine Brook's team has a sophisticated understanding of the financing landscape and of the unique market position that distinguishes Strategic Funding Source within the small business lending market. Their investment enables us to continue our rapid growth and enhance our technology in order to deliver more capital to small businesses both in the U.S. and internationally.  We look forward to leveraging Pine Brook’s experience and relationships to accelerate the building of a leading small business lending franchise.”

Since its founding in 2006, Strategic Funding Source has provided loans and cash advances to small businesses by combining advanced technology and insight based on years of experience as small business owners and financial industry experts. The company works directly with small business owners to identify their capital requirements and create flexible, tailored financing options that suit their individual business models.

“Several years ago, Pine Brook identified small business finance as a critical and underserved component of economic growth, and we’ve been searching for the right partner to combine with our capital to take advantage of the significant market opportunity that exists,” said Robert Glanville, Managing Director of Pine Brook. “Strategic Funding Source is a perfect fit because Andy and his management team have the experience and talent, and the established platform necessary to manage accelerated growth.  We believe the company is well positioned to increase market share while expanding to more businesses that are underserved by traditional sources of capital.”

Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to Pine Brook and Proskauer Rose LLP served as legal advisor to Strategic Funding Source.

Pine Brook is an investment firm with more than $5.0 billion of assets under management that makes “business building” and other equity investments, primarily in energy and financial services businesses. Pine Brook’s team of investment professionals collectively has over 300 years of experience financing the growth of businesses with equity, working alongside talented entrepreneurs and experienced management teams to build businesses of scale without relying on acquisition leverage. For more information about Pine Brook, please visit the company’s web site at www.pinebrookpartners.com.