News

Abry Partners has made an investment in Indiana-based Lighthouse Autism Center, a provider of center-based applied behavioral analysis therapy. No financial terms were disclosed. The Braff Group was financial adviser to Lighthouse on the deal while Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein provided legal advice. And, DLA Piper advised Abry.

PRESS RELEASE

MISHAWAKA, IN, Oct. 11, 2018 – Lighthouse Autism Center (“Lighthouse” or the “Company”), a leading provider of center-based, Applied Behavioral Analysis (“ABA”) therapy, today announced a strategic investment from Abry Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm.

The investment will allow Lighthouse to accelerate geographic expansion and to bring additional services to children with autism. It will also support Lighthouse’s continued focus on driving strong clinical quality and leveraging technology to better track and utilize data to enhance outcomes.

“I couldn’t be more excited about the partnership with Abry,” said Gregg Maggioli, Lighthouse’s co-founder and CEO. “We now have access to the capital and the operational support that will enable us to expand our footprint, and more importantly, enhance the quality of autism treatment to our clients and their families. Further, Abry’s approach and focus on clinical quality aligns perfectly with the mission and values that Lighthouse was founded upon.”

Nick Scola, Principal at Abry, commented that, “Lighthouse represents an ideal investment for Abry. Gregg and his team have built a special company with a strong clinical foundation that is poised for significant growth. We look forward to expanding the Lighthouse platform and investing in the people and technology that will further enhance clinical quality and drive positive outcomes.”

The investment in Lighthouse represents the latest platform in the continuation of Abry’s healthcare investment strategy, following recent investments in US Dermatology Partners, FastMed Urgent Care and North American Dental Group, LLC.

The transaction closed in early October. Terms were not disclosed. The Braff Group acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Lighthouse for this transaction. Lighthouse’s legal advisor was Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein. Abry was advised by DLA Piper.

About Lighthouse Autism Center

Headquartered in Mishawaka, Indiana, Lighthouse was founded in 2012 by Gregg and Sandy Maggioli, the parents of a child with autism. Over the past 6 years, Lighthouse has grown into a leading center-based provider of ABA therapy for children on the autism spectrum. The Company currently operates five centers across northern Indiana and southern Michigan that focus on providing intensive one-on-one therapy services to children ages 2-18. For more information about Lighthouse, visit the company’s website at: www.lighthouseautismcenter.com.

About Abry Partners
Abry is one of the most experienced and successful sector focused private equity investment firms in North America. Since their founding in 1989, the firm has completed over $77 billion of leveraged transactions and other private equity or preferred equity placements. Currently, the firm manages over $5.0 billion of capital across their active funds. For more information about Abry, visit the firm’s website at: www.abry.com.