Cephas Capital Partners

Cephas Capital Partners, LP is a Pittsford, New York–based investment firm and licensed Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) established in 1997 by former commercial banking executives to provide subordinated debt and growth capital to small and mid-sized privately held businesses primarily in Upstate New York. The firm deploys patient mezzanine and subordinated debt investments typically ranging from approximately $500,000 to $4.5 million to support business expansion, recapitalizations, acquisitions, management-led buyouts and special financing situations that conventional lenders may not fully address, leveraging SBA licensing to access additional capital capacity. Since inception, Cephas has invested well over $100 million across more than 60 companies, contributing to regional economic activity and job creation in its target geography. Its investment strategy emphasizes partnering with quality management teams and local community financial institutions to facilitate long-term growth and ownership transitions. The current fund, Cephas Capital Partners III, LP, remains active in seeking qualifying opportunities and is backed by a consortium of regional banks as limited partners. Cephas’ operations blend private capital with federal SBIC support to fill mid-market financing gaps within its defined regional focus.