RLH Equity Partners Makes First Investment in Valent Partners' Growth Journey
RLH Equity Partners Invests in Valent Partners
On January 21, 2026, RLH Equity Partners declared its investment in Valent Partners, a prominent firm specializing in technology strategies and transformation services targeted at upper mid-market and enterprise clients. Founded in 2019 and stationed in Dallas, Valent is adept at employing data, analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning to enhance its client's operational outcomes and ensure a tangible return on investment.
This investment is particularly significant as it represents RLH's inaugural platform investment within its Fifth Institutional Fund, reinforcing the firm's emphasis on supporting knowledge-driven, founder-owned businesses poised to thrive amidst technological transformations. Jeff Hilliard, the founder and CEO of Valent, shared his thoughts on this new partnership, noting, "We selected RLH as our partner because they align with our philosophy that a market leader is built through a passionate focus on culture, investment in talent, and unwavering attention to client success."
Valent's unique value proposition lies in its commercial awareness of critical business challenges and its proficiency in providing technology-enabled solutions as part of a proactive innovation strategy. The firm's expertise encompasses diverse sectors such as financial services, insurance, industrial, energy, and professional services. This wide-ranging understanding allows Valent to differentiate itself in a competitive market.
The leadership team at Valent boasts substantial experience in technology advisory roles and transformation strategies. It has successfully fostered an engaging employee culture that has resulted in retaining exceptional talent, which is vital for the company's ongoing success. Hilliard further emphasized, "The challenge of enterprise AI transformation is paramount in today’s landscape. Valent Partners is uniquely equipped to address this challenge through tailored strategies and rigorous execution. Our partnership with RLH strengthens our capacity to excel in this crucial domain."
Both Mark Gartner, Managing Director at RLH Equity Partners, alongside Vice President Sam Merriam, expressed their enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "From our first interaction with Valent, we were struck by their exceptional capabilities and high client satisfaction. Their inspiring culture and clear vision for growth matched perfectly with our own objectives. We believe this partnership will not only flourish but will also propel Valent to new heights."
About RLH Equity Partners
RLH Equity Partners is distinguished for investing in passionate entrepreneurs and high-growth, knowledge-driven B2B enterprises primarily influenced by significant shifts in technology, healthcare, and regulatory environments. Their portfolio companies typically generate $25 million to $150 million in annual revenue at the time of investment. With over $1 billion in assets under management, RLH emphasizes offering both strategic and operational guidance to portfolio companies, helping navigate the complexities of growth and scale in today's dynamic market.
As Valent Partners prepares to embark on this new chapter, the synergy between their innovative approach and RLH's extensive expertise is expected to create remarkable opportunities for growth and success in the technology transformation space.