Eaton Partners: Mid-Market Placement Agent Leader

Eaton Partners placement agent profile: 40+ years experience, $100B+ raised, mid-market and emerging manager specialist, fee structures, and selection criteria.

5 min read
Eaton Partners: Mid-Market Placement Agent Leader

Eaton Partners (Stifel Financial)

Eaton Partners, now a division of Stifel Financial Corp., brings over 40 years of placement agent experience with particular strength in mid-market private equity fund placements. The firm has raised over $100 billion across more than 200 fund commitments.

Overview

  • Parent Company: Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF)
  • Founded: 1983
  • Headquarters: Connecticut
  • Offices: New York, London, Hong Kong
  • Team Size: 50+ placement professionals
  • Capital Raised: $100B+ since inception

Specializations

Primary Focus:

  • Mid-market buyout funds ($250M-$1B)
  • Growth equity and venture capital
  • Specialized strategies and sector-focused funds
  • First-time and emerging managers

Geographic Expertise:

  • North America (primary focus)
  • Europe
  • Emerging markets

LP Network

Eaton Partners cultivates relationships with institutional investors particularly suited to mid-market allocations:

  • Regional pension funds
  • Insurance companies
  • University endowments
  • Corporate pension plans
  • Family offices
  • Fund of funds

Client Profile

Eaton Partners typically serves:

  • Mid-market private equity firms
  • Emerging manager programs (Fund I-II)
  • Specialized strategy managers
  • Regional and sector-focused funds

Fee Structure

  • Success Fees: 2-3% of capital raised
  • Minimum Fund Size: $100M+
  • Retainer: $35,000-$60,000/month typical
  • Engagement Period: 12-18 months

Competitive Position

Eaton Partners differentiates through:

Mid-Market Focus

  • Deep expertise in $100-500M fund range
  • Understanding of mid-market LP dynamics
  • Appropriate expectations for emerging managers

Experience and Track Record

  • 40+ years in placement agent industry
  • Survived multiple market cycles
  • Extensive reference base

Stifel Platform

  • Integration with broader investment banking capabilities
  • Additional client resources and relationships
  • Financial stability of public company parent

Selection Considerations

Eaton Partners is well-suited for:

  • Mid-market fund managers ($100-750M)
  • Emerging managers (Fund I-III)
  • Specialized investment strategies
  • Managers seeking experienced guidance

May be less appropriate for:

  • Mega-funds ($1B+) requiring extensive global coverage
  • Very small funds (under $75M)
  • Managers requiring boutique senior partner model

Conclusion

Eaton Partners' four-decade track record and mid-market focus position the firm as a leading choice for established mid-market managers and emerging funds. The combination of specialized expertise, extensive LP relationships, and Stifel's broader platform provides comprehensive support for institutional fundraising.