An Alternative Path
to Growing Lasting,
Private Companies.

We believe in the vital importance of humans coming together to create and grow enduring, private businesses that make a dent in the universe.

scroll down

An Alternative Path
to Growing Lasting,
Private Companies.

We believe in the vital importance of humans coming together to create and grow enduring, private businesses that make a dent in the universe.

The Evergreen Entrepreneur

The leaders of these enduring businesses are seasoned entrepreneurs and CEOs with the vision, creativity, resourcefulness, patience and grit to build and scale a business that will stay private indefinitely.
We exist to support these leaders and their companies.

The Evergreen 7Ps


Purpose

Being passionately driven by a compelling vision and mission.

Previous Next

The Evergreen Entrepreneur

The leaders of these enduring businesses are seasoned entrepreneurs and CEOs with the vision, creativity, resourcefulness, patience and grit to build and scale a business that will stay private indefinitely.

We exist to support these leaders and their companies.

The Evergreen 7Ps


Purpose

Being passionately driven by a compelling vision and mission.


Perseverance

Having the ambition and the resilience to overcome obstacles and keep pursuing the mission indefinitely into the future.


People First

Engaging a workforce of talented associates who excel as a team and are motivated by the mission and the culture, as well as total compensation, in the belief that, by taking care of them, they will take care of the customers, suppliers, partners, communities and their families.


Profit

Not mistaking profit as the purpose of the business; but recognizing it is essential to survival and independence, and the most accurate measure of customer value delivered.


Private

Taking advantage of the ability of closely-held private companies to have a longer-term view, greater confidentiality around strategies, and more operating flexibility than public or exit-oriented businesses.


Paced Growth

Having the discipline to focus on long term strategy, balance short term and long term performance, and grow steadily and consistently from year to year.


Pragmatic Innovation

Embracing a continuous-improvement process built around taking capital efficient, calculated risks to innovate creatively within constraints.

Our Community

The Tugboat Institute, a membership organization, brings together Evergreen CEOs across industry sectors to share best practices and unique insights, and to develop trusted bonds for their respective Evergreen Journeys.

Connecting Evergreen Leaders

Our annual invitation-only Tugboat Summit is dedicated to Evergreen CEOs. Short presentations and small group discussions focus on a range of topics from scaling great cultures to building great brands.

Engaging Evergreen Exemplars

Established Evergreen companies host us at their headquarters to talk candidly about the unique strengths and common challenges associated with running a privately held company.



“I’m pleased that Tugboat is supporting businesses with the same Evergreen principles that have served SAS so well for 38 years.”


Dr. Jim Goodnight, CEO SAS Institute

Give and Take

All members are encouraged to contribute their best practices and knowledge of building and sustaining an Evergreen business and Evergreen family. The broader community can enjoy some of this insightful and inspiring content through our Evergreen Journal.

Previous Next

Our Community

The Tugboat Institute, a membership organization, brings together Evergreen CEOs across industry sectors to share best practices and unique insights, and to develop trusted bonds for their respective Evergreen Journeys.

Connecting Evergreen Leaders

Our annual invitation-only Tugboat Summit is dedicated to Evergreen CEOs. Short presentations and small group discussions focus on a range of topics from scaling great cultures to building great brands.

Engaging Evergreen Exemplars

Established Evergreen companies host us at their headquarters to talk candidly about the unique strengths and common challenges associated with running a privately held company.


“I’m pleased that Tugboat is supporting businesses with the same Evergreen principles that have served SAS so well for 38 years.”

Dr. Jim Goodnight, CEO SAS Institute

Give and Take

All members are encouraged to contribute their best practices and knowledge of building and sustaining an Evergreen business and Evergreen family. The broader community can enjoy some of this insightful and inspiring content through our Evergreen Journal.

Evergreen Capital

“When we own portions of outstanding businesses with outstanding management, our favorite holding period is forever.”


Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway

You Asked, We Delivered

Evergreen leaders want investors who will allow them to stay private forever, sharing in and contributing to the long-term success
of their company.

Our Evergreen investment approach was innovated with these
entrepreneurs in mind.

Structured For You

We deeply align the interests of management, owners and our investors by employing a structural orientation towards ongoing cash distributions instead of an exit.

Evergreen Investments

We invest capital to provide liquidity to founders, family members or legacy investors, and fund profitable growth initiatives.

Our investments are made in Evergreen companies with outstanding management and growing cash flows. We invest across various industry sectors and geographies.

Previous Next

Evergreen Capital

“When we own portions of outstanding businesses with outstanding management, our favorite holding period is forever.”


Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway

You Asked, We Delivered

Evergreen leaders want investors who will allow them to stay private forever, sharing in and contributing to the long-term success of their company.

Our Evergreen investment approach was innovated with these entrepreneurs in mind.

Structured For You

We deeply align the interests of management, owners and our investors by employing a structural orientation towards ongoing cash distributions instead of an exit.

Evergreen Investments

We invest capital to provide liquidity to founders, family members or legacy investors, and fund profitable growth initiatives.

Our investments are made in Evergreen companies with outstanding management and growing cash flows. We invest across various industry sectors and geographies.

Let’s Talk

Are you Evergreen or inspired by the Evergreen path?

Share With Us