#USA #San Mateo #Litmus #Erik Nierenberg #Invictus Growth Partners

Erik Nierenberg Joins Invictus Growth Partners

Erik Nierenberg, previously the CEO of Litmus, has recently become a partner at Invictus Growth Partners, marking a significant move in his career. Invictus is well-known for its strong presence in the middle-market growth equity sector, managing assets exceeding $1 billion. This new partnership is positioned to accelerate value creation across Invictus's diverse portfolio of companies.

Nierenberg's role will primarily focus on collaborating with both existing and future portfolio companies to enhance their growth trajectories and maximize long-term value. His extensive experience in the B2B software sector, coupled with a proven track record of driving successful business transformations, makes him a valuable asset to Invictus. Over the past year, Invictus has achieved impressive milestones, dramatically increasing its assets under management through new oversubscribed funds totaling $574 million. These funds are particularly aimed at companies specializing in enterprise cloud software, cybersecurity, and financial technologies, sectors that have shown rapid growth and significant market potential.

Reflecting on his transition, Nierenberg emphasized the fast-paced innovation occurring in the realm of cloud software and applied AI, which presents companies like those in Invictus's portfolio with unparalleled opportunities to scale and establish themselves as industry leaders. He remarked, "The pace of innovation in cloud software and applied AI continues to accelerate, creating massive opportunities for companies that can scale into market leaders."

Previously, Nierenberg successfully led Litmus for eight years, during which he transformed the company into a multi-product enterprise platform, recognized by top global brands. Under his leadership, Litmus achieved an astounding compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 55% in direct sales and 63% in EBITDA profitability. These results set the stage for its successful acquisition by Validity in 2025, signifying a testament to Nierenberg's operational expertise.

John DeLoche, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Invictus, praised Nierenberg's capabilities, referring to him as a world-class operator who has created impactful transformations within the firm. He expressed excitement at welcoming Nierenberg into a full-time role, aiming to broaden Invictus's reach in value creation across its portfolio.

In addition to his new role, Nierenberg will interact with a network of seasoned executives who have also joined the Invictus Guild as operating advisors. These advisors bring a wealth of experience from varied backgrounds within the tech and SaaS sectors, enhancing the collective ability of Invictus to assist its portfolio companies effectively.

Among the newly appointed advisors are:

• - Stacey Epstein: A veteran in enterprise software who has significantly contributed to scaling numerous SaaS brands, including SuccessFactors and ServiceMax.
• - Barry Zwarenstein: A seasoned finance professional with experience guiding companies like Five9 and Logitech through substantial growth phases and public offerings.
• - Nate Peace: An expert in customer success and operational efficiencies, currently working at LinkLive to help enhance client retention and expansion.
• - Gordon Mackintosh: Known for developing exceptional partner ecosystems at notable companies like Cisco, which aids in driving revenue growth.

Invictus Growth Partners stands as a prominent player in the middle-market growth equity landscape, prioritizing investments in bootstrapped and capital-efficient companies. The firm strategically provides portfolio firms with exclusive access to DIANE, an AI-driven platform designed to significantly increase sales conversions and foster beneficial introductions to potential customers. Their investment ranges typically involve equity checks between $30 million to over $100 million, aligning their goals with scalable and impactful business strategies.

As Nierenberg begins this new chapter with Invictus, the combination of his leadership and the newly expanded advisory network is expected to propel their portfolio's growth and solidify Invictus's position in the competitive landscape of growth equity.