The SEEM Capital team brings decades of experience in scaling middle-market companies across key sectors, combining operational excellence with strategic investment expertise. We've helped businesses grow from foundational stages to industry leaders, providing both capital and hands-on support. Our approach is deeply collaborative—we act as true partners to management teams, offering the guidance, resources, and connections needed to drive sustainable revenue growth, operational improvements, and long-term value creation.
Eric Menke
Managing Partner
Eric brings over three decades of private equity and venture capital experience to SEEM Capital. He began his career at Kidder, Peabody & Company, where he pioneered innovative financing strategies for large ESOP buyouts, overseeing over $100 million in transactions. He later transitioned to private equity, holding senior roles at MBR Associates and Champlain Capital Partners. At Champlain, Eric was a founding partner, raising and deploying $148 million in equity capital and over $500 million in debt in more than a dozen companies across sectors such as facilities services, consumer products, healthcare, and industrial products. His active leadership grew portfolio companies from under $30 million to over $150 million in revenue.
Prior to co-founding Champlain Capital, Eric founded Menke Equity Partners, where he focused on acquiring and scaling lower middle-market companies. His transaction experience spanned industries as diverse as musical instruments, industrial equipment, and filtration products.
More recently, Eric has worked with the venture firm Acumen, advising rapidly growing portfolio companies in Africa. His efforts center on operational efficiency, margin expansion, and revenue growth, with a focus on go-to-market strategies and market expansion. He has also been deeply involved in mentoring management teams to help them achieve consistent, measurable growth objectives.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Eric has been instrumental in various charities and community organizations. Among his accomplishments was his successful effort to help over 400 elementary school children organize, train for, and achieve a Guinness Book of World Records.
Eric earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Southern California.