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Patient capital paired with brand building expertise backed by global infrastructure

patient capital

Our capital does not have a fixed end date, which affords us the benefit of being able to approach opportunities and solve problems with a long-term mindset that bypasses shortsighted decisions, facilitates more effective capital allocation, and creates durable value in a manner that is aligned with the goals of all stakeholders.

consumer investors and operators

We are consumer generalists that have invested in, founded and managed businesses of all sizes and shapes. While we approach the world as investors today, we bring to bear real-world operating experience with the goal to draw from the best of both as a collaborative partner capable of supporting key operational initiatives. We understand that the path to success is rarely a linear journey.

global infrastructure

Beyond financial, Marubeni unlocks access to immense cross-border and cross-functional resources and a network with reach into nearly every corner of the globe.

Team

Decades of experience investing in, building and operating brands of all sizes and stages.

  • Taylor Rettig

    President, Senior Managing Director

    Before launching MGCU with Marubeni, Taylor most recently served as COO of Atlas Crest Investment Corp, a $500 million SPAC led by Ken Moelis that completed a combination with Archer Aviation. Prior to that, he was CEO of Draper James, a lifestyle brand founded by Reese Witherspoon, from 2017-2020. Taylor spent over 13 years of his career with JH Partners, a San Francisco based investment firm, where he was a Partner and led investments across apparel/accessories, personal care and media, including J. McLaughlin (acquired by Brentwood Associates), Kate Somerville (acquired by Unilever), Greats (acquired by Steve Madden) and Figs (IPO). After leading an investment in Alex and Ani, a trend jewelry brand, in 2012, Taylor served as Chief Strategy Officer. Taylor began his career at Morgan Joseph & Co. after receiving an AB in Politics from Princeton University.

    Taylor Rettig

    President, Senior Managing Director

    Before launching MGCU with Marubeni, Taylor most recently served as COO of Atlas Crest Investment Corp, a $500 million SPAC led by Ken Moelis that completed a combination with Archer Aviation. Prior to that, he was CEO of Draper James, a lifestyle brand founded by Reese Witherspoon, from 2017-2020. Taylor spent over 13 years of his career with JH Partners, a San Francisco based investment firm, where he was a Partner and led investments across apparel/accessories, personal care and media, including J. McLaughlin (acquired by Brentwood Associates), Kate Somerville (acquired by Unilever), Greats (acquired by Steve Madden) and Figs (IPO). After leading an investment in Alex and Ani, a trend jewelry brand, in 2012, Taylor served as Chief Strategy Officer. Taylor began his career at Morgan Joseph & Co. after receiving an AB in Politics from Princeton University.

  • Conor Murdoch

    Senior Vice President

    Conor joined MGCU at its creation in 2023. Prior to MGCU, Conor was an Investment Director at OpCapita, a London-based consumer & retail buyout firm, where he opened the US office and led the firm’s North American effort from 2019-2023. He was responsible for all aspects of the firm’s investment in Maurices, a carve out of a $1.1B 900-store women’s apparel brand, and led the firm’s most recent investment in a 400-unit, family-owned QSR franchisee operating KFC, Taco Bell, Starbucks and Burger King restaurants across Canada and the UK. Prior to OpCapita, Conor was an early member of the team at Care/of, then a seed-stage wellness brand, where he led a variety of functions. Conor began his career as an analyst at Deutsche Bank and subsequently as an associate at Rhône Group, a transatlantic middle market private equity firm. Conor has a BS in Economics from Duke University and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

    Conor Murdoch

    Senior Vice President

    Conor joined MGCU at its creation in 2023. Prior to MGCU, Conor was an Investment Director at OpCapita, a London-based consumer & retail buyout firm, where he opened the US office and led the firm’s North American effort from 2019-2023. He was responsible for all aspects of the firm’s investment in Maurices, a carve out of a $1.1B 900-store women’s apparel brand, and led the firm’s most recent investment in a 400-unit, family-owned QSR franchisee operating KFC, Taco Bell, Starbucks and Burger King restaurants across Canada and the UK. Prior to OpCapita, Conor was an early member of the team at Care/of, then a seed-stage wellness brand, where he led a variety of functions. Conor began his career as an analyst at Deutsche Bank and subsequently as an associate at Rhône Group, a transatlantic middle market private equity firm. Conor has a BS in Economics from Duke University and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

  • Mandy Epstein

    Senior Associate

    Mandy joined MGCU in 2023. Most recently she was an Investment Banking Associate at Evercore in the Consumer and Retail group, where she advised clients across the consumer sector on engagements including Foot Locker’s acquisitions of WSS and atmos, Post Holding’s acquisition of select pet food brands from J.M. Smucker, and SunOpta’s sale of its frozen fruit business. Mandy began her career in the deal advisory group at PwC, where she supported management teams through various integration and divestiture activities. Mandy has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

    Mandy Epstein

    Senior Associate

    Mandy joined MGCU in 2023. Most recently she was an Investment Banking Associate at Evercore in the Consumer and Retail group, where she advised clients across the consumer sector on engagements including Foot Locker’s acquisitions of WSS and atmos, Post Holding’s acquisition of select pet food brands from J.M. Smucker, and SunOpta’s sale of its frozen fruit business. Mandy began her career in the deal advisory group at PwC, where she supported management teams through various integration and divestiture activities. Mandy has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

  • Dan Welt

    Sr. Operating Officer for Marubeni NextGen Corp Development

    Dan joined Marubeni in 2007 in its Power Division, where he held various roles over the years, including SVP covering merchant independent power projects and regulated utility investments. Dan led investments in St Charles Energy Center and West Deptford Energy Station and was in charge of Marubeni’s investment in InfraREIT, a REIT that developed, owned and operated utility assets in Texas and had a successful IPO prior to being acquired by Oncor Energy Delivery Company. Prior to working for Marubeni, Dan was a Project Finance credit analyst at S&P Ratings Services and an analyst at Mark Asset Management. Dan serves on the Boards of Directors of Sannpa Ltd (parent of Fnatic) and MGCU and has served on Boards of various Marubeni portfolio companies. Dan has a BA in Modern Culture and Media from Brown University, an MA in Literature from Duke University, and an MBA/MIA from Columbia University.

    Dan Welt

    Sr. Operating Officer for Marubeni NextGen Corp Development

    Dan joined Marubeni in 2007 in its Power Division, where he held various roles over the years, including SVP covering merchant independent power projects and regulated utility investments. Dan led investments in St Charles Energy Center and West Deptford Energy Station and was in charge of Marubeni’s investment in InfraREIT, a REIT that developed, owned and operated utility assets in Texas and had a successful IPO prior to being acquired by Oncor Energy Delivery Company. Prior to working for Marubeni, Dan was a Project Finance credit analyst at S&P Ratings Services and an analyst at Mark Asset Management. Dan serves on the Boards of Directors of Sannpa Ltd (parent of Fnatic) and MGCU and has served on Boards of various Marubeni portfolio companies. Dan has a BA in Modern Culture and Media from Brown University, an MA in Literature from Duke University, and an MBA/MIA from Columbia University.

  • Jake Lulley

    Controller

    Jake joined MGCU in 2024. Prior to this, he was a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young, leading global audits in financial services. Jake was at Fortress Investment Group from 2015 to 2020 as Vice President, where he led accounting policy initiatives, managed transaction structuring, and oversaw financial reporting. He also played a key role in the 2017 acquisition of Fortress by SoftBank. Earlier in his career, he worked at Grant Thornton, gaining diverse experience in IPOs and private equity-backed buyouts. Jake is a CPA and holds a BS in Management and an MS in Accounting from Boston College.

    Jake Lulley

    Controller

    Jake joined MGCU in 2024. Prior to this, he was a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young, leading global audits in financial services. Jake was at Fortress Investment Group from 2015 to 2020 as Vice President, where he led accounting policy initiatives, managed transaction structuring, and oversaw financial reporting. He also played a key role in the 2017 acquisition of Fortress by SoftBank. Earlier in his career, he worked at Grant Thornton, gaining diverse experience in IPOs and private equity-backed buyouts. Jake is a CPA and holds a BS in Management and an MS in Accounting from Boston College.

  • Kellie Anne Bates

    Office Manager

    Kellie Anne joined MGCU in 2023. Previously, she worked in the insurance and ad sales technology industries where she developed a strong understanding of risk management and book keeping. Kellie Anne began her professional journey working for the family business, where she gained invaluable experience and insight into the intricacies of running a successful enterprise. Kellie Anne is involved in multiple local charities, either on the committee or fundraising. As an avid sports fan, you’ll find her most weekends on the golf course or watching and supporting her favorite teams or attending games in person.

    Kellie Anne Bates

    Office Manager

    Kellie Anne joined MGCU in 2023. Previously, she worked in the insurance and ad sales technology industries where she developed a strong understanding of risk management and book keeping. Kellie Anne began her professional journey working for the family business, where she gained invaluable experience and insight into the intricacies of running a successful enterprise. Kellie Anne is involved in multiple local charities, either on the committee or fundraising. As an avid sports fan, you’ll find her most weekends on the golf course or watching and supporting her favorite teams or attending games in person.

  • Portfolio

    RG Barry BrandsRG Barry Brands

    RG Barry Brands

    RG Barry Brands owns and operates a collection of footwear and accessories omnichannel brands. Acquired June 2024.

    Website
    DearfoamsDearfoams

    Dearfoams

    Popular US comfort footwear brand, known for the invention of the house slipper in 1947. Acquired as part of the RGB portfolio.

    Website
    BaggalliniBaggallini

    Baggallini

    Functional, conventional bags and accessories for the modern woman. Acquired as part of the RGB portfolio.

    Website
    Columbus Product GroupColumbus Product Group

    Columbus Product Group

    Private-label industry leader crafting exceptional private label solutions for customers. Acquired as part of the RGB portfolio.

    Website
    Planet APlanet A

    Planet A

    Regenerative lifestyle brand producing quality biodegradable products made with our planet in mind and supported with proprietary REGNR8 technology. Acquired as part of the RGB portfolio.

    Website

    Announcements

    June 11, 2024

    June 11, 2024

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