Patriot Capital Funding ("Patriot") was an independent specialty finance company originally formed and capitalized by Compass Group Investments, Inc. and its subsidiaries in February 2003. Patriot's mission was to provide cash flow based debt financing solutions to small and middle-market private equity sponsors in support of acquisitions and recapitalizations. Patriot's ideal candidates were established, U.S. based manufacturing, distribution, or service businesses with a significant market share in a defensible industry niche. In July 2005, Patriot went public and Compass exited its control equity position.