News

5th Century Partners Announces Strategic Investment in My Favorite Therapists

CHICAGO – September 5, 2024 – 5th Century Partners, a purpose-driven private investment firm that partners with healthcare and business services companies that have outsized growth potential, today announced it made a strategic investment in My Favorite Therapists, a comprehensive and collaborative therapy center for children with autism and developmental delays.
 
“Behavioral health services are in high demand across the country, and My Favorite Therapists has created a clinical model that is successfully serving children with autism,” said Bruce Hampton, Managing Partner at 5th Century Partners. “Not only is this company providing critical therapeutic services with a clear growth trajectory, partnering with them aligns with our vision to work with companies that make an outsize impact in their communities. My experience in behavioral health, along with our deep network of seasoned operating advisors, ensures that we’re bringing the right expertise and the right people to grow the business responsibly.”
 
Based in Florida, My Favorite Therapists was founded in 2017 by Jay and Kimmy Katari who were inspired by their son to provide the best autism treatment possible. My Favorite Therapists provides Applied Behavioral Therapy (ABA), speech therapy, feeding therapy and occupational therapy to address all of a child’s needs and developmental delays in one location. A qualified team of therapists work together to help each child achieve the greatest level of visible progress. The company currently serves children at five therapy centers across Florida and has nearly 200 employees.
 
Increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has led to more diagnoses and a need for more quality care centers. Approximately 1 in 36 children were diagnosed with ASD in 2020, which is up from 1 in 44 in 2018, according to estimates from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.
 
“Opening our first location was a dream come true and being able to help more children is our calling,” said Jay Katari, CEO at My Favorite Therapists. “5th Century Partners brings deep sector expertise and operating experience that will be invaluable in strengthening our operating structure so we can open new centers and expand our team to serve more families. We’re excited to work with a team that understands our business and can help us achieve our goals.”
 
In partnership with 5th Century Partners, Jay Katari will continue to lead the business as CEO. The Kataris maintain a significant ownership interest in the business.
 
“Based on our thesis development work within behavioral health, coupled with our deep sector expertise, we are confident that we are the right partner for My Favorite Therapists,” said Marques Torbert, Managing Partner at 5th Century Partners. “We’re looking forward to activating our robust network of operators and advisors to work alongside Jay and his management team to expand the business while remaining focused on positive clinical outcomes.”   
 
Ice Miller served as legal counsel to 5th Century Partners, and Freeport Financial provided debt financing to support the transaction. Berkery Noyes was the sell-side advisor to the transaction. The financial terms were not disclosed.


About My Favorite Therapists
My Favorite Therapists provides a range of services based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) for children on the autism spectrum. Operating in multiple centers across Florida, My Favorite Therapists specializes in early identification and treatment of delays and disorders for children ages 1 to 18 years. At each center is a group of experienced certified professional licensed therapists who provide ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and feeding therapy in one collaborative environment. Learn more at www.myfavoritetherapists.com.
 
About 5th Century Partners
5th Century Partners is a purpose-driven private investment firm that invests in middle-market companies within healthcare and business services that have outsized growth potential. The firm provides capital, operating expertise and strategic relationships that lead to sustainable growth, which in turn allows partner companies to realize their full potential and deliver positive outcomes to their stakeholders. Learn more at www.5cpartners.com.
 
Media Contact:
5th Century Partners
Candice Hudson
Candice.Hudson@fleishman.com