Calgary, Alberta · Direct acquisitions
Rustica Strategies acquires and invests in established, cash-flowing industrial businesses in Calgary and the surrounding area.
A private investment firm. We partner with owners and evaluate opportunities selectively.
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- Calgary and surrounding area
- Screened on cash flow, not revenue
- Industrial and specialized services
- Confidential process
How we work
How we work
Confidentiality
Discussions stay private. We sign a non-disclosure agreement before reviewing detailed information.
Straightforward process
Clear criteria, a defined process, and direct feedback.
Respect for what the owner built
Continuity for employees and customers matters as much as the transaction.
Selective evaluation
We evaluate opportunities carefully and only pursue a clear fit.
What we do
Acquire. Invest. Partner. Improve.
Acquire
Rustica Strategies acquires established industrial and specialized-services businesses with strong cash flow.
Invest
We invest as patient capital, with structures that fit the business and the owner’s goals.
Partner
We partner with owners on practical, well-planned transitions, including full exits and staged handoffs.
Improve
After a change in ownership, the focus is cash flow discipline and strengthening what already works.
What we look for
We are focused, not broad. Clear criteria lead to better conversations.
Geography
Calgary and surrounding area
Size
Strong, demonstrated cash flow (EBITDA and free cash flow). We do not screen on revenue.
Business Type
Industrial and specialized services, specialty process and manufacturing, B2B
Revenue Profile
Recurring or repeat customer base
Team
Stable team not dependent on the owner
Transitionable
Owners who want a practical, well-planned transition
Not a Fit
Startups, restaurants, retail storefronts, and speculative or pre-revenue businesses
If your business fits these criteria, we encourage direct outreach. We evaluate opportunities selectively and provide clear feedback.
Why owners choose Rustica
Why owners choose Rustica
Selling a business is more than a financial decision. It is practical, personal, and often tied to years of work. We take that seriously.
Direct conversations
You deal directly with the firm, not an intermediary.
Practical Deal Structures
Flexible structures aligned with real business conditions.
Respect for Legacy
We prioritize continuity for employees and customers.
Patient capital
We partner with owners and evaluate opportunities selectively.
Flexible transaction structures
Every business and every owner situation is different. We are open to deal structures that are fair, practical, and aligned with the realities of the business.
Full Buyout
Complete ownership transition for a clean exit.
Partial Liquidity
Seller retains equity with some cash out.
Transition Support
Defined handoff period for continuity.
Earnouts
Performance-based structure where appropriate.
After a transition
A change in ownership should not disrupt what already works.
Rustica looks for businesses with solid reporting, a capable team, and room to strengthen cash flow. Where it helps, additional tools and systems can be introduced after closing.
Our approach
Rustica Strategies evaluates opportunities selectively. We prioritize a clear fit, a careful review, and practical deal structures that reduce friction for owners and brokers, including seller financing and staged transitions where they make sense.
We take the time to understand the business and only move forward when the fit is clear.
Everyone in the ring
A good transition works for everyone it touches.
Our symbol is six pieces locked into one ring. Each stands for a party to the deal, and the ring only holds when every one of them is looked after.
Seller
A fair, clear exit that respects what the owner built and the people who helped build it.
Rustica, as buyer and operator
We acquire to operate, with a hands-on focus on cash flow and on what already works.
Investors
Disciplined underwriting on cash flow, with structures built for durable returns.
Lenders
Conservative senior debt sized to the cash flow of the business, with clear reporting.
Employees
Continuity for the team that makes the business run.
Customers
The same service and relationships they rely on, without disruption.
Our process
We keep the process clear and professional.
Introductory conversation
Initial discussion to assess fit
Initial review
High-level review of financials and the way the business runs
NDA & deeper review
Non-Disclosure Agreement and deeper evaluation
Indicative offer
LOI if the opportunity fits
Diligence & transition
Validate assumptions and plan transition
Close and handoff
Complete transaction and handoff
About Rustica
A Calgary-based private investment firm.
Rustica Strategies acquires and invests in established industrial and specialized-services businesses with strong cash flow. We partner with owners, evaluate opportunities selectively, and treat confidentiality, a straightforward process, and respect for what the owner built as the basis of every conversation.
Our approach is straightforward: acquire good businesses, invest as patient capital, and transition them with care.
Frequently asked questions
Clarity and confidence for owners and brokers.
Here are some common questions from business owners and business brokers considering a transition with Rustica Strategies. We aim to provide clarity and confidence as you navigate this important decision.
How is Rustica Strategies different from a private equity firm or a competitor buying my business?
Rustica Strategies is a private investment firm, not a competitor looking to absorb a customer list or cut staff. You deal directly with the firm. We partner with owners and respect what has already been built.
Will you fire my employees after the sale?
No. We specifically look for businesses with stable, capable teams. Our goal is continuity for the people who make the business successful, not to replace them. We rely on your team’s institutional knowledge to support a smooth transition.
How long does the acquisition process take?
While every transaction is unique, a typical process takes 60 to 90 days from the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to closing. This allows enough time for a thorough review, to arrange financing, and to build a transition plan with you.
Do I have to stay on after the sale?
We structure the handover around the business and the owner’s goals, and we set the length together, typically at LOI. Some owners make a clean break; some stay involved for a period.
How do you value a business?
We look at the fundamental health of the business, primarily focusing on historical cash flow (EBITDA or Seller’s Discretionary Earnings), the stability of the customer base, and the strength of the team. We aim to offer a fair, market-based valuation that reflects the real-world realities of the business.
Confidentiality and Brand Integrity
We understand that rumors of a sale can disrupt your team, worry your customers, and alert your competitors. We sign a strict Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before looking at any detailed financials, and we conduct our review discreetly to protect the business. In most cases, especially for businesses with strong local reputations, we maintain the existing company name and brand identity.
Insights
Notes from Rustica Strategies
From Advisory to Acquisition – Why We Stopped Just Giving Advice
Why Rustica Strategies acquires and invests in established businesses, rather than only advising, and how that shapes a practical path to transition.
Will This Deal Take Forever—or Collapse at the Finish Line?
What really kills deals, and the quick-yes / quick-note screen we use to keep a transaction on track.
A confidential conversation
Own or represent a business that may fit?
Reach out directly by email. All discussions are strictly confidential. We welcome submissions from business owners and brokers.
Submit an Opportunity