Riverside Company

Office address: 45 Rockefeller Center, 630 5th Ave #400, New York, NY 10111 
Website: www.riversidecompany.com 
Year established: 1988 
Company type: private equity investment firm 
Employees: 350+ 
Expertise: private equity, investment, alternative funds, middle market, healthcare, education and training, consumer brands, specialty manufacturing and distribution, certification, and compliance, safety, security, and risk mitigation, private capital, private credit 
Parent company: N/A 
Key people: Béla Szigethy and Stewart Kohl (co-CEOs), Graham Hearns (CoS), Jon Kinney (CSO), Jennifer Boyce (general counsel), Allison Cole (global head), George Cole (managing partner), Eric Feldman (CIO), Béla Schwartz (CFO) 
Financing status: N/A 

The Riverside Company, a global private equity firm, targets smaller mid-market investments focused on sustainable growth and building lasting value. Operating across 10 countries, the company manages over $14 billion in assets through a portfolio of more than 140 businesses. With headquarters in Cleveland and New York City, Riverside employs over 350 people dedicated to building value in diverse industries worldwide. 

History of The Riverside Company 

The Riverside Company was founded in 1988 by Béla Szigethy in his NYC apartment. With limited capital, Szigethy focused on smaller mid-market deals, a segment that they still prioritize 30 years later. In 1989, the organization made its first investment in Future Metals and soon after expanded to Europe with an office in Budapest.  

By the 2000s, Riverside’s assets surpassed $1 billion, and the firm began operations in Asia-Pacific, strengthening its global reach. In 2017, the company launched flexible capital strategies and welcomed Parkwood LLC as a minority partner. The Riverside Company marked its 1,000th investment in 2023, applying decades of expertise to help businesses thrive worldwide. 

Products and Services of The Riverside Company 

The Riverside Company offers various investment services focused on enhancing business growth and value: 

• private equity: investments in growing small to mid-sized businesses 
• flexible capital: diverse capital solutions customized for specific business needs 
• recapitalization and leveraged buyouts (LBOs): financial restructuring for ownership and capital improvement 
• growth strategies: advancing organic growth through product development and market expansion 
• add-on acquisitions: strengthening portfolio companies through strategic acquisitions 
• industry specialization: focused expertise in sectors like business services, healthcare, software, education, and manufacturing 

The Riverside Company collaborates closely with its partner companies, aiming to make each one fundamentally stronger. This approach emphasizes ethical practices, meritocracy, and fostering meaningful, growth-focused relationships. 

Culture at The Riverside Company 

The Riverside Company upholds an inclusive and growth-oriented culture where employees are encouraged to share unique perspectives. This diverse, entrepreneurial environment supports talent development through shared knowledge and collaborative learning. Riverside offers a wide range of benefits to employees: 

• career advancement opportunities: training and mentorship for skill-building 
• collaborative forums: weekly “Meeting of the Minds” for open deal discussions 
• work-life balance: generous PTO and wellness resources 
• educational support: Riverside University events for professional development 
• sustainable practices: strong emphasis on ESG in business decisions 

Riverside’s commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a workplace where everyone’s voice adds value. This approach helps attract talent across demographics, broadening The Riverside Company’s reach and enhancing global investment opportunities: 

• Women’s Awareness Initiatives (WAI): advancing gender diversity within asset management 
• sponsor of Level 20: supports mission to increase female representation in private equity 
• Gender Equity Consortium (GEC): educational programs for senior private market leaders 
• community partnerships: workshops with TEAK Fellowship for college students 
• networking breakfasts: events highlighting private equity career paths for women 

Responsible investing is another priority at The Riverside Company, where the firm considers its impact on people and communities. Their responsible investment committee, led by the chief sustainability officer, promotes environmental and governance practices across its portfolio. This focus enhances value for stakeholders while emphasizing ethical growth. 

About The Riverside Company co-CEOs Béla Szigethy and Stewart Kohl and Key People 

Béla Szigethy, the company’s co-CEO, has guided the firm’s expansion into a global investment leader with operations in North America, the APAC region, and Europe. He previously worked as a VP at Citibank, specializing in large-scale leveraged buyouts. Szigethy holds a bachelor’s in psychology and French from Oberlin College and a master’s in international finance from Columbia University. 

Stewart Kohl, also a co-CEO, contributes his insights as an honorary trustee of Oberlin College and serves on several boards. He was previously a VP at Citicorp Venture Capital. Kohl earned his BA from Oberlin College and co-chaired the Building Hope Capital Campaign. 

Here are the key leaders driving The Riverside Company’s strategic growth and operational excellence: 

• Graham Hearns serves as a managing director and chief of staff, overseeing firm-wide operations and aligning strategic initiatives 
• Jon Kinney as a managing director and chief strategy officer develops long-term plans and directs the firm’s strategic investments 
• Jennifer Boyce, general counsel and chief compliance officer, manages legal and regulatory compliance across global operations 
• Allison Cole is a managing director and global head of fundraising and investor relations, leading investor engagement and capital raising efforts 
• George Cole serves as managing partner, guiding The Riverside Company’s investment teams and portfolio management activities 
• Eric Feldman as chief information officer advances technology solutions to support Riverside’s investment and operational functions 
• Béla Schwartz, the company CFO, handles financial planning, reporting, and overall fiscal management 

The Future at The Riverside Company 

In May 2024, The Riverside Company led a group of investors to acquire The Townsend Group from Aon, strengthening Townsend’s US wealth distribution network for high-net-worth clients. Working with partners like Bluerock Real Estate, the company aims to expand Townsend’s reach beyond institutional investors. Riverside sees this acquisition as an opportunity to deepen its impact by building on the newly acquired firm’s market position. 

The Riverside Company also agreed to sell HealthTech BioActives (HTBA) to Miura Partners, capitalizing on HTBA’s growth in manufacturing, R&D, and global distribution. The sale allows the company to support high-potential companies while driving lasting value within the mid-market sector.