#United States #Atlanta #Founders Row #Jamie Weeks #FPV Model

Jamie Weeks Launches Founders Row

Jamie Weeks, a prominent entrepreneur and investor, has officially introduced Founders Row, an innovative investment platform aimed at redefining early-stage private equity. This new venture is underpinned by the Founder Partnership Vehicle (FPV), a deal-by-deal model meticulously crafted by Weeks to support entrepreneurs during the critical early years of their businesses.

Weeks, who has spent decades on Wall Street advising family offices and entrepreneurs, transitioned to becoming an operator himself. His entrepreneurial journey began with the opening of an Orangetheory Fitness studio in 2014, which he later sold to private equity in 2017. Under his leadership, this franchise group expanded to over 140 studios within four years, making it the largest Orangetheory franchisee worldwide. In 2019, he founded SweatHouz, rapidly building it into one of the fastest-growing wellness brands in the U.S. Before selling a significant stake in 2022, SweatHouz opened over 65 locations and aims to exceed 100 by early 2026.

Weeks highlights that while traditional private equity has predominantly focused on mature businesses, venture capitalists often fall short in offering the operational support that founders urgently need in their formative years. "Founders Row was conceived to fill this gap — the transitional phase when an entrepreneur requires both operational guidance and capital to elevate their vision," Weeks explains.

The platform is launching with three companies already under letter of intent (LOI) and a robust commitment from a private equity anchor partner, ensuring both capital strength and internal alignment from the outset. While the initial investments concentrate on health and wellness sectors, Weeks asserts that the pivotal factor remains the founders rather than the industry focus. "At Founders Row, we emphasize supporting the founder as much as the venture itself. The founder's vision is often as critical as the financial metrics during a company's early growth phases."

To ensure this hands-on support, Founders Row has assembled a dedicated eight-person team with a breadth of expertise in marketing, operations, development, and finance. Discussing the isolation that many founders experience, Weeks states, "Entrepreneurs often feel alone as they strive to realize their visions without the necessary support. It's not solely about funding; it’s imperative to have a supportive structure in place from the beginning. We aim to redefine this landscape."

Moreover, Founders Row distinguishes itself with FR Advisory, its consulting branch that functions as an incubator for brands poised for potential backing. This initiative focuses on refining only four companies at a time, ensuring that each receives personalized attention and guidance. Weeks comments, "Our approach isn't about merely fundraising and collecting fees; it's about accelerating brands towards success. Our FPV model and the advisory component are crafted to enhance growth potential from the get-go."

Weeks views Founders Row as the inception of a novel category within private equity. "I've established Founders Row to meet the genuine needs of founders — facilitating vision alignment, forging operational partnerships, and creating a structure where all parties, including GP, LP, and founder, are unified in purpose. As private equity firms scale, they commonly overlook the very stages where groundbreaking ideas, akin to those behind Orangetheory and SweatHouz, flourish."

For more in-depth information and to explore the offerings of Founders Row, visit foundersrow.co.