About

A hallmark of Saratoga’s investment style has been the ability to structure investments in capital-constrained environments through multiple-step transactions often originating from failed financings, distressed sales, and bankruptcies. While leverage can be used, as available, to enhance returns, Saratoga has structured and closed many successful transactions without the use of new debt capital.

Saratoga is uniquely qualified to thrive in today’s distressed environment with deep experience in a variety of transaction types, including:

  • Traditional distressed investing, buying fulcrum securities to build the foundation for a control position; Negotiated distressed investing, incorporating multiple-step, staged investments to gain a control position or enhance an investment through a progression of securities purchases; Preferred, structured equity and minority investments, including PIPEs; Bankruptcy reorganizations and auctions; and,
  • Traditional buyouts, supporting a management team to pursue a growth plan or address a specific market opportunity.

Chris OberbeckChief Executive Officer

Chris Oberbeck has over 25 years of experience in leveraged finance, from distressed debt to private equity, and has originated, structured, negotiated, consummated, managed and monitored investments in a wide variety of middle-market businesses. Mr. Oberbeck is the Managing Member of Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC, the Company’s investment adviser, and the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. Mr. Oberbeck is the Managing Partner of Saratoga Partners, a middle market private equity investment firm, and has served on its investment committee since 1995. Mr. Oberbeck assumed management responsibility for Saratoga Partners in 2008, having co-managed the firm since 1995 when he joined Dillon Read and Saratoga Partners from Castle Harlan, Inc., a corporate buyout firm. Mr. Oberbeck had joined Castle Harlan at its founding in 1987 and was a Managing Director, leading successful investments in manufacturing and financial services companies. Prior to joining Castle Harlan, he worked in the Corporate Development Group of Arthur Young and in corporate finance at Blyth Eastman Paine Webber. Mr. Oberbeck has been a director of numerous middle market companies while at Saratoga Partners and Castle Harlan. Mr. Oberbeck graduated from Brown University with a BS in Physics and a BA in Mathematics, and he earned an MBA from Columbia University.

In the Media

CEO of Saratoga Investment, Chris Oberbeck sits down with Maria Bartiromo from FOX for an interview to discuss Saratoga's best quarter ever, and the future of Wall Street.
Saratoga CEO Chris Oberbeck discusses two stocks with 10% dividends in the BDC industry, and what he is doing as an investor on Fox Business News’ “Countdown to the Closing Bell with Liz Claman.”
CEO of Saratoga Investment, Chris Oberbeck discusses potential recession, Saratoga Investment Corporation seeing substantial BDC asset growth, and "if stocks are the place to be" with Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business News’ “Wall Street Week.”
Saratoga CEO Chris Oberbeck touches on helping small and middle-market businesses raise capital.



History

Saratoga was founded in 1984 to execute middle-market, buyout investments as part of Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. Since then, Saratoga has formed four partnerships for such investments, responsible for investing approximately $750 million in 35 portfolio companies. Saratoga has been an independent firm since its spin-off from UBS in 1998. With its roots in Dillon Read, Saratoga has a strong merchant banking heritage steeped in a culture of professionalism and service with a focus on creative problem-solving. After up-front investment solutions, Saratoga remains a proven partner for management in post-investment value enhancement.