Aviation Services Firm Raises Capital to Support Rapid Growth
Oak Brook, IL AND New York, NY—March 12, 2018—LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions, announced today that it has received a significant strategic investment from Argentum, a growth equity firm that partners with entrepreneurial owners to build industry-leading B2B services companies.
Formed in 2013, LAUNCH is led by a highly experienced management team with a successful track record building and growing aviation services companies. In just a few short years, LAUNCH has disrupted the aviation staffing landscape, becoming one of the industry’s largest and fastest growing providers of workforce solutions to leading airlines, MRO facilities, and OEMs. With its rapidly expanding roster of highly skilled aviation personnel, innovative offerings, and turnkey project capabilities, LAUNCH is well positioned to continue its rapid organic growth and pursue strategic acquisitions.
“The infusion of capital from Argentum further validates LAUNCH’s success, helps accelerate our aggressive plans for continued growth, and enhances our ability to provide industry-leading workforce solutions and customer service to our valued clients,” said Mike Guagenti, CEO of LAUNCH. “We’re very excited to be partnering with Argentum, which has a long and proven track record of successfully supporting entrepreneurial owners to build market-leading companies – especially in the transportation services and workforce solutions sectors. Their recognition of our company’s solid standing in the industry is a huge boost as we continue to innovate, broaden our service offerings, and maintain our world-class reputation.”
“We are impressed by how, in just a few years, the LAUNCH team has built a market leading company through delivering innovative solutions to address the aviation industry’s increasing challenges to meet its workforce needs,” said Daniel Raynor, a Managing Partner of Argentum, who will join LAUNCH’s Board of Directors in connection with the investment. “We are excited to be working with this talented group of executives to support LAUNCH’s rapid growth and pursue new strategic initiatives.”
Chris Leong, Partner at Argentum, who will also join LAUNCH’s Board of Directors, added, “We’re looking forward to partnering with Mike and his team as the company embarks on its next phase of expansion and further solidifies its position as the market-leading provider of workforce solutions to the aviation industry.”
About LAUNCH
LAUNCH is the aviation industry’s fastest-growing technical workforce solution, connecting over 3,000 aviation professionals with employment every year in more than 160 locations worldwide. In addition to providing mechanics, technicians, engineers, machinists, and other skilled workers to leading airlines, MROs, OEMs, and service centers, LAUNCH provides Avionics, Structures, and AOG teams for project-based solutions worldwide. Guided by a leadership team with extensive experience in aviation and technical staffing, LAUNCH is committed to providing solutions that are innovative, customer-driven, and technologically advanced.
About Argentum
Argentum is a New York-based growth equity firm that partners with entrepreneurial owners to build industry-leading B2B software, technology-enabled, and business services companies. The firm fills the growing chasm between early stage venture capital investors and later stage growth equity firms by targeting bootstrapped companies seeking $3 to $15 million of capital to accelerate growth, fund acquisitions, or generate shareholder liquidity. Since raising its first fund in 1990, Argentum has invested in over 80 companies and supported nearly 200 add-on acquisitions. LAUNCH represents the firm’s latest transaction in the transportation services sector, joining Argentum’s past investments in Fleetworthy Solutions, Flightdocs, and TransForce.
