LEGACY OF CAROLINA

Pioneering a New Succession Model for North Carolina’s Essential Business Owners.

North Carolina Isn’t Just Where We Operate

It’s the Foundation of Our Long-Term Investment Strategy

We are Building a Local Portfolio of Essential Businesses that are Critical to North Carolina’s Economy and Long-term Growth. We are excited to partner with essential service businesses that support North Carolina’s critical infrastructure, ensuring they remain locally owned and positioned for long-term success. With teams stationed in Raleigh and Charlotte, we focus on businesses that provide specialized services to the state’s rapidly growing network of data centers, military bases, research institutions, fulfillment hubs, and universities. These industries are the backbone of North Carolina’s economy, and we are committed to helping business owners scale, transition, and thrive while preserving their legacy. North Carolina's strong small business environment presents a compelling opportunity for expansion. The state is home to over one million small businesses, making up 99% of all businesses and employing 1.8 million people statewide.

Carolina Tear Sheet

Carolina Presentation

The North Carolina Portfolio

Businesses that provide essential, non-discretionary services vital to North Carolina's ecosystem

Businesses will be poised to capitalize on the transformational shifts shaping North Carolina’s economic landscape

Led by the original management teams and maintained under an independent operational framework, while maintaining their name, culture, and core values

Businesses will complementary to each other - leveraging shared resources, operational synergies, a unified back-office system, and cross-selling opportunities to scale

FAQ

Sectors That Excite Us

We like businesses essential to public health, safety, and the daily functioning of North Carolina

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Transportation Infrastructure 
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Renewable Energy 
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Mission-Critical Facility Services 
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Environmental Remediation Services
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Land Reclamation & Ecosystem Revitalization

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Advanced Manufacturing
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Sustainable Waste & Water Management
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Legacy of Carolina is family-funded, supported by a group of families, some of whom have owned the very types of businesses we seek to invest in. These families are deeply committed to preserving the legacy of small business owners and supporting the next generation of essential companies across the nation. Our approach focuses on keeping businesses locally owned and operated, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability.
To achieve this, we’ve partnered with Carolina-based entrepreneurs, regional banks, and family offices dedicated to reinvesting in the state’s small business communities. These partnerships allow us to build a strong, community-driven foundation for our Carolina portfolio, securing lasting value for both business owners and the communities they serve.

Keeping North Carolina Businesses Local

Team of Local Carolina Operators

Austin leads Legacy's Charlotte team, bringing a rich heritage of entrepreneurship from his Ohio roots. His family's deep involvement in small businesses has given him a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities that growing companies face. After relocating to Charlotte, Austin spent three years in supply chain and logistics, collaborating with businesses to enhance their transportation strategies. His tenure at Spot, a leading third-party logistics provider known for its commitment to timely and reliable freight delivery, honed his skills in optimizing supply chains. Austin's blend of entrepreneurial insight and logistics expertise positions him uniquely to drive Legacy's mission of supporting and scaling small businesses in the region.
Zach Smith, a Raleigh resident and a dedicated member of the small business community, brings extensive experience in energy, data analytics, and critical infrastructure to the Legacy of North Carolina team. With over 14 years of executive experience in business development and strategic leadership, Zach has played a pivotal role in helping companies leverage data to drive local business growth and operational efficiencies across multiple industries. Throughout his career, Zach has held key roles at FirstEnergy, SymphonyAI, and IRI, where he has successfully applied data-driven insights to optimize operations, improve supply chains, and support large-scale infrastructure projects. At FirstEnergy, a leading electric utility company, Zach worked within the energy sector, helping businesses navigate grid modernization, energy efficiency, and strategic infrastructure planning. At SymphonyAI, he spearheaded AI-powered analytics initiatives, enabling businesses to refine pricing strategies, optimize operations, and enhance decision-making complex industrial environments. His tenure at IRI, a global leader in data analytics, saw him managing retailer programs and utilizing advanced consumer and market insights to help businesses grow, securing a 100% contract renewal rate and exceeding a $28 million revenue target. Outside of his professional achievements, Zach is also an active firefighter with the Fairview Fire Department, reinforcing his commitment to service and community resilience.