In 2008, Richard Randolph and Kim Ratliff founded R4KR
Investment Management Company. (www.r4kr.com)
The private equity investment management firm is based in Birmingham, AL
and has a stated mission of delivering investment products that produce
superior returns and consistent performance for investors. We create value by investing in change – change
created by economic cycles, market distress, specific company circumstances,
and developing industry trends. Our
depth of experience, demonstrated industry expertise, and network of affiliated
partners across different industry sectors contribute to our proprietary deal
sourcing ability.
In 2007, R4 Capital invested in a
fledgling web property known as North American Deer Hunting Land. R4Capital changed the strategy to create North
American Land Network,(www.naln.com ) a
national network of local websites creating an efficient a marketplace for buyers
and sellers of rural and recreational land. Land is listed at a county
and state level in 5 vertical markets: Hunting, Improved Rural, Coastal,
River and Lake. After a successful launch R4 Capital sold out to management, backed by outside investors, in 2008.
Christianity.com: In 2002, R4, Inc. had an opportunity to help two young Princeton graduates, Duncan Rein and Sebastian Traeger, purchase Christianity.comwww.christianity.com at auction after CBN had invested nearly $44M into the company.R4, Inc. participated in the initial funding round to purchase the company at auction and then tapped a number of Birmingham investors to raise an additional round of growth capital several months later.R4 worked in a business development role for Christianity.com and helped the company earn it’s way to profitability. In February of 2005, the Christianity.com portal and streaming business was purchased by Salem Communications giving investors and excellent return on their equity investment.
Silas Partners:Nearly 20 employees and 250 clients were not included in the sale of Christianity.com. The principals decided to spin off the Services Division of Christianity.com and it continues to serve our clients now under the leadership of CEO Duncan Rein as Silas Partners. (see http://www.silaspartners.com/) Silas Partners was sucessfully sold to Trinet in 2007 and continues under the Silas Partners name.
Airshares Elite: R4 Capital became a major shareholder and Rich Randolph joined the senior management in an Atlanta, GA based aircraft fractional ownership company. In 1999 R4 helped launch Airshares Elite (www.airshareselite.com) an “industry first” company with a mission of selling 1/8 or 1/4 shares of an “owner flown” aircraft, giving the buyer access to a fleet of similarly equipped aircraft. Under the leadership of Founder and CEO David Lee, Airshares created a multi-regional presence by diversifying into magazines, events, aircraft rentals and flight training schools. The company is now approaching 300 share owners in 50 new Cirrus and Piper Aircraft.
University Notes: R4, Inc. invested in the purchase of a small notetaking enterprise in Auburn, AL in late 1998. (see http://unotes.net/auburn/auburncourses.htm) The notes are sold through a retail outlet and in the major Campus bookstores. The notes are Taken by top students who have demonstrated an above average ability to take quality notes in their classes. We look for students with a 3.5 or above GPA to take our notes and the notetakers use the system that we have developed to provide the best notes possible. Under the leadership of President John Turman, the company now is nearing it's 10th year and continues to enjoy healthy margins.
Gravity Works: In 1991, R4 Capital helped fund Gravity Works, the first of a group of companies from which to invent, manufacture, sell and operate amusement rides as well as produce other industry projects. R4 assisted Gravity Works, founded by Peter Kockelman of Mountain View, CA, with selling nearly 50 Skyscraper and Ejection Seat Amusement Rides and licensed territories throughout the world - as well as contracted bookings of the rides into more than (100) one hundred of the largest US and Canadian fairs and events for an association of his amusement ride owners. R4 also acted as a PR agent, producing more than 300 newspaper articles and media spots for his companies – coverage includes CNN, CBS this Morning, MTV, Discovery Channel, ABC Evening News, Sports Illustrated, FOX News, USA Today, National Geographic, Paul Harvey Radio and numerous local media around the country.
