Granite Harbor Capital, the private markets and alternative investments arm of Granite Harbor Companies, has launched Mariner Fund I, a private markets opportunity fund aimed at giving qualified investors direct access to institutional-style private equity, real estate and private credit investments. The fund will be led by Derek Taylor, who recently joined the firm as a managing partner, as Granite Harbor expands its private markets platform from its Houston and Milwaukee offices.
The firm said Mariner Fund I is designed to provide a single-commitment entry point into a curated portfolio spanning lower middle-market operating companies, value-add real estate and select private credit opportunities, with Granite Harbor overseeing sourcing, underwriting and ongoing management. Granite Harbor expects the strategy to focus heavily on the Central U.S., which it described as a region with employer-driven growth that remains under-allocated by institutional capital, and said the fund will be available exclusively to qualified investors.
KEY QUOTES:
“Clients are demanding better access, clearer oversight, and more strategic integration of private markets into their broader wealth plans. Mariner Fund I reflects our commitment not only to sourcing compelling private opportunities, but to bringing the governance, transparency, and alignment that investors expect from an RIA-led platform.”
Brian Sak, CFP, CLU, ChFC, Managing Partner, Granite Harbor
“The Mariner Fund represents the next step for Granite Harbor — building on the work we’ve already done throughout the central United States. I really can’t think of a more exciting time to be affiliated with Granite Harbor. Mariner Fund I represents our firm’s evolution into providing truly differentiated private market access. We’ve long believed private markets can play a meaningful role in portfolio construction, but only when paired with rigorous diligence and the right expertise. Under Derek’s leadership, Granite Harbor Capital is positioned to deliver both.”
Nicholas Brown, CFA, CFP, Managing Partner, Granite Harbor
“There are a lot of operating companies in that $2–7 million EBITDA range that are overlooked because they’re ‘too small’ for coastal capital — but the growth potential is significant in industry sectors like differentiated manufacturing, infrastructure support, and distribution. Similarly, we believe there are many value-add and core-plus commercial real estate opportunities for investment which offer both stability and growth potential across multifamily, industrial/logistics, and other key asset classes. Private markets reward proximity — to operators, sourcing channels, and the actual creation of value. Our goal with Mariner Fund I is to get investors as close as possible to the genesis of value creation while maintaining the due diligence, structure, and advisory commitment clients expect from Granite Harbor. One of the advantages of having a fund is we can find and close deals more quickly than others doing a traditional capital raise. We’ve been building a pipeline of deals and opportunities through our relationships — lots more to come. It really goes back to the core mission of Granite Harbor — one place, one fund, where we provide our investors access to diversified opportunities across real estate and operating businesses through an institutional approach.”
Derek Taylor, Managing Partner and Fund Lead, Granite Harbor Capital
