MCS is a platform that brings deep experience helping small business enterprises flourish and grow. We started with investing our own capital in the private debt market in 2013 as a way to achieve fixed income-like returns while generating current yield. Our style of investing is quite simple — we see our role as a coach and mentor to small companies. MCS brings expertise in governance, operations, and marketing to companies that have an edge we can capitalize upon.
As private investors, we are incentivized to ensure our investments and our portfolio companies increase in value without compromising the stewardship of fiduciary management. The same values that have guided us since our days as Eagle Scouts are the foundation of MCS: Leadership; Integrity; Sustainability; Referability.
What We Do
We provide constructive capital to help small businesses scale and grow
MCS recognizes that simply providing capital does not guarantee a company’s success. We provide access to capital, education, market intelligence as well as hands-on business and marketing expertise. Our ideal partners are companies that value our experience and want a collaborative partner to help them achieve and, ideally, exceed their goals.
The team applies its deep expertise in governance, operations, and marketing to coach small businesses poised for growth. We apply our experience in working with start-ups and small enterprises honed over 10 years to make investments in companies we believe will be successful for the next 10 years and beyond.
We invest with companies who adopt the following:
-
Constructive Engagement
Our investment thesis is rooted in the belief that long-term sustainability of any business requires a close partnership between the company leadership and their capital provider.
-
Culture of Collaboration
We only work with teams that are coachable and embrace our style of investing.
-
Repeatable Processes
We favor investments in companies that have clear, repeatable processes that can be optimized and scaled.
-
Long-term Partnership
Our investment thesis for any deal requires a clear path for follow-on funding as the business continues to grow.
SureFunding LLC
SureFunding LLC is the investment vehicle currently offered to investors who want unparalleled access to a niche segment of the private debt market. Details of this strategy are available upon request.
What We Believe
Successful, durable partnerships are built on trust.
MCS’s firm culture, rooted in caring and gratitude, begets trust and respect. We believe the shared ownership mindset of our entire team drives transparency, accountability and, ultimately, success.
A good investment should result in a prosperous outcome for everyone: our portfolio companies, our investors, and MCS. We believe that the success of one group should not come at the expense of another. We are not incentivized to raise money for the sake of raising money: MCS does not collect management fees up front and only realizes a profit once our investors have realized profit on their own investments.
MCS Investment Principles:
-
Leadership
We promote a culture of “we” recognizing that the “we” succeeds together and the company takes everyone with them irrespective of the direction.
-
Integrity
We say what we mean. We mean what we say. We expect our partners to do the same.
-
Sustainability
The long-term sustainability of any business requires a close partnership between the company leadership and their capital provider.
-
Referability
We are committed to delivering to our investors the same experience that we would want for ourselves.
Risk Management
Mitigating risk is a multi-step process.
MCS views our most trusted responsibility as fiduciaries is to protect capital during all market cycles, not just during periods of dislocation.
MCS offers investors a differentiated approach to private debt investing that is centered on risk management. We view the opportunity in the private debt market to be repeatable and scalable; and, hence, we apply a rigorous risk management framework to our investment thesis.
We invest with companies who adopt the following:
-
Demonstrated Expertise
MCS only invests in businesses where we possess an intrinsic understanding of the underlying assets.
-
Alignment of Interest
MCS invests with companies that commit their own capital alongside ours.
-
Constructive Engagement
MCS works closely with company management allowing for increased transparency and oversight.
Management Team
Our team brings years of experience helping small companies flourish and grow.
Justin Abernathy
MCS Co-Founder
Justin is responsible for sourcing deals and new funding opportunities with a focus on noteholder relations.
More
Prior to MCS, Justin was a co-Founder and Managing Member of SureClick, an online pay for performance business that helped companies develop online marketing campaigns to grow their businesses. Prior to SureClick, he worked for America Online and Time Life Music.
Justin earned a BA business degree in Enterprise Management from American University and an Associate of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.
In 2003, Justin was invited to participate in the “Birthing of Giants” three-year program, an entrepreneurial enclave out of MIT, later graduating to the “Gathering of Titans” program where he currently plays an integral role at the conferences held each year. Justin has taught at the Stagen Leadership Academy and was formerly a member of the Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO), and is currently a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).
Those who know Justin well describe him as an innovative problem solver who continuously finds solutions to unique challenges that arise in business.
Justin’s bond with his wife and daughter shows his commitment to his family. He has a passion for supporting his community and causes he and his family hold important. He also is an eleven-time finisher of the Pikes Peak Marathon, and a five-time Ironman finisher. In his youth, he earned the elite honor of Eagle Scout.
Jason Abernathy
MCS Co-Founder
Jason is responsible for operational oversight: developing and implementing policies and procedures, risk mitigation systems and managing the due diligence process for all partnerships.
More
Prior to launching SureFunding in 2013, Jason was Co-Founder and Managing Member of SureClick, an online pay for performance business that developed online marketing campaigns. Prior to co-founding SureClick, Jason worked as part of the e-commerce group at America Online.
Graduating from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith with an Associate of Arts degree, Jason’s entrepreneurial spirit goes back to 2004 when he was invited to participate in MIT’s entrepreneurial enclave “Birthing of Giants” three-year program, later graduating to the “Gathering of Titans” program. Jason was also formerly a member of the Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO) and is currently a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).
Dedicated to helping others, Jason often spearheads programs to give back to his community. He is active in building up the communities around him and providing humanitarian assistance to those in need.
Jason is an Ultra Athlete who has completed over 100 races. These include three 100-mile trail runs numerous 50 mile runs and 9 Pikes Peak Marathons. He is a five-time Ironman distance finisher as well. In his youth, he earned the elite honor of Eagle Scout.
Ben Hays
MCS Managing Member
Ben is responsible for overseeing all aspects of cash management and profit drivers for the companies with whom MCS partners.
More
Ben spent the last decade playing a key role in the financial strategy for the Abernathy companies. He also is the liaison between MCS and third-party administrators and is responsible for providing detailed, timely updates to MCS’s Note Holders. Prior to joining MCS, Ben was a co-Owner and Managing Member at Copperstate CPA’s.
Ben earned a Masters of Accountancy with Tax Emphasis and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Brigham Young University.
Dedicated to service, Ben served a two-year mission to Hungary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also serves the youth in his community as a Cub Scout Leader. He is a devoted husband and father of four wonderful children. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast, making time regularly to canyoneer, hike and Jeep with his family.
