Key Takeaways
- • Star Mountain Capital, an employee-owned firm with approximately $5 billion in AUM (committed capital including debt facilities as of 9/30/2026), has hired Daniel Lee as Managing Director focused on investment originations and business development.
- • Lee was a Partner and Co-Founder of Comvest Capital Partners, where he spent 14 years and helped grow the direct lending platform to $12 billion, and he previously served as Senior Director and Investment Committee Member at Dymas Capital, a Cerberus affiliate.
- • The hire is intended to expand Star Mountain's origination capabilities in the lower middle market, where the firm provides debt and equity capital to established businesses.
- • Brett Hickey, Founder & CEO of Star Mountain, described Lee as bringing extensive private credit experience, a strong network and a demonstrated ability to source and execute investments.
Summary
Star Mountain Capital, LLC ("Star Mountain"), a New York-based, employee-owned investment firm with approximately $5 billion in assets under management, announced that Daniel Lee has joined the firm as Managing Director. According to the firm's press release distributed via Business Wire, Lee will focus on investment originations and business development, drawing on experience working with business owners and private equity sponsors to structure bespoke finance and private equity solutions.
Brett Hickey, Founder & CEO of Star Mountain Capital, said Lee's "experience and relationships will further enhance our origination capabilities as we continue to provide capital solutions to established lower middle-market businesses." Star Mountain operates two core strategies: Direct Investments, which provide debt and equity capital to established lower middle-market businesses, and Secondary Investments, which involve acquiring LP interests, direct assets and making primary LP commitments. Since 2010, the firm has completed more than 100 direct platform investments and 50 secondary or fund investments in the North American lower middle market.
Lee most recently was a Partner and Co-Founder of Comvest Capital Partners, a direct lending platform providing growth capital to small and medium-sized businesses. During his 14-year tenure, the platform grew to $12 billion in size. He co-founded the firm's Consumer and Retail vertical, served on its Investment Committee and helped grow its credit team. Earlier, he was an initial team member and Senior Director at Dymas Capital, a Cerberus affiliate, which grew to approximately $3 billion in AUM during his seven-year tenure.
Lee's subsequent roles include Partner at Garnett Station Partners, a principal investment firm backing growth platforms with $3 to $50 million of EBITDA, and Partner and Co-Founder of Pin High Strategies, a merchant banking and advisory firm serving independent sponsors and founder-led businesses. His earlier career included positions at Square 1 Bank, Salomon Smith Barney, Heller Financial and Arthur Andersen, where he began as an accountant. Lee holds an MBA with distinction from the University of Michigan and a BBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Brett Hickey, Founder & CEO of Star Mountain Capital, said Lee's "experience and relationships will further enhance our origination capabilities as we continue to provide capital solutions to established lower middle-market businesses." Star Mountain operates two core strategies: Direct Investments, which provide debt and equity capital to established lower middle-market businesses, and Secondary Investments, which involve acquiring LP interests, direct assets and making primary LP commitments. Since 2010, the firm has completed more than 100 direct platform investments and 50 secondary or fund investments in the North American lower middle market.
Lee most recently was a Partner and Co-Founder of Comvest Capital Partners, a direct lending platform providing growth capital to small and medium-sized businesses. During his 14-year tenure, the platform grew to $12 billion in size. He co-founded the firm's Consumer and Retail vertical, served on its Investment Committee and helped grow its credit team. Earlier, he was an initial team member and Senior Director at Dymas Capital, a Cerberus affiliate, which grew to approximately $3 billion in AUM during his seven-year tenure.
Lee's subsequent roles include Partner at Garnett Station Partners, a principal investment firm backing growth platforms with $3 to $50 million of EBITDA, and Partner and Co-Founder of Pin High Strategies, a merchant banking and advisory firm serving independent sponsors and founder-led businesses. His earlier career included positions at Square 1 Bank, Salomon Smith Barney, Heller Financial and Arthur Andersen, where he began as an accountant. Lee holds an MBA with distinction from the University of Michigan and a BBA from the University of Notre Dame.
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