CNL Strategic Capital, LLC closed on a $12.5 million investment in Transition Finance Strategies LLC, which does business under the name Blue Ridge ESOP Associates (Blue Ridge). This is the sixth company in CNL Strategic Capital’s portfolio.

CNL Strategic Capital is co-investing in Blue Ridge with LLCP Lower Middle Market Fund, L.P., an institutional fund and affiliate of Levine Leichtman Strategic Capital, LLC, the sub-manager of CNL Strategic Capital, as well as the existing owners and management team.

Established in 1988, Blue Ridge is the leading provider of technology enhanced solutions and services for the administration and recordkeeping of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and associated 401(k) plans. Blue Ridge’s comprehensive service offerings and highly experienced professional administrators address the complex and mission-critical needs of ESOP businesses, which has provided it with an unmatched reputation as the highest-quality service provider in the market. The company serves a large and diversified client base of over 700 ESOP and 401(k) plan sponsors with over 175,000 plan participants.