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Founded by David Rapp, the firm’s goal is to partner with world-class business owners as they enter their next chapter of growth. The strategy is to invest through a platform approach in leading American mission-critical services businesses, working alongside best-in-class management teams to help them accelerate into their next phase of expansion. Pond Street Partners is backed by world-class investors and operators with deep sector experience, including Pacific Lake, TBD Investors, Trilogy Search Partners, Maven Equity Partners, Miramar Equity Partners, BK Growth, Brown Robin Partners, Andrew Saltoun, Datacor, and David Frankel.
Prior to founding Pond Street Partners, David spent most of his career at McKinsey & Company, where he progressed from Business Analyst in London to Associate and later Engagement Manager in New York. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was recognized as a Baker Scholar (Top 5%) and supported students in Accounting, Finance, Strategy, and Leadership. Earlier in his career, he worked at the UK Department of Health and Social Care, contributing to COVID-19 strategy and operations in London.
The firm’s investment strategy is centered on sectors where services are deeply embedded in regulatory, infrastructure, or operational requirements, meaning customers must continue to rely on them regardless of economic cycles. This includes businesses that install, service, or maintain assets across 4 core areas:
- Fire & life safety (fire alarm detection systems, portable fire equipment, emergency lighting, etc.)
- Building operations & power (elevators and escalators, generators, transfer switches, medical gas systems, HVAC, etc.)
- Water & air quality (backflow prevention, cooling tower water treatment, refrigerant management, ventilation, potable water testing, etc.)
- Security & structural integrity (façade and structural inspections, parking systems, access control, video surveillance, etc.)
The firm targets businesses with strong market positions, defensible niches, and participation in highly fragmented industries, where operational improvements, professionalization, and strategic consolidation can unlock significant long-term growth.
