About Us

Investing with Integrity and Building with Purpose

Black Ocean Capital merges visionary leadership with ethical investment, fostering integrity, resilience, and innovation. Focused on industrials and modernization, we build trusted partnerships that drive transformation, long-term value, and sustainable growth.

Our Vision & Values

At Black Ocean Capital, we’re redefining private equity by merging financial rigor with ethical leadership. Our vision is to be the catalyst for sustainable growth—empowering industries critical to America’s energy security, revitalizing American manufacturing, and nurturing the next generation of business leaders. We prioritize partnerships where integrity and innovation drive returns and make a significant impact.

We anchor every decision and partnership in values that drive lasting success:

  • Integrity & Transparency: We prioritize honesty and open communication, fostering trust in every relationship.

  • Resilience & Perseverance: We view challenges as opportunities to innovate, adapt, and drive growth.

  • Empowerment Through Mentorship: We invest in people, nurturing talent and fostering growth for teams and partners alike.

  • Collaborative Excellence: We build win-win partnerships that drive progress for investors, businesses, and communities.

  • Relentless Curiosity and Humility: We consistently seek new insights, refine our strategies, and remain dedicated to finding better solutions with an open mind.

Our Leadership

The Black Ocean leadership team consists of experienced investors and operators with deep expertise in capital allocation and business growth. We bring complementary skills across industries, sharing a vision to scale companies in America’s next industrialization phase.

Darrick Robinson, Managing Partner

Mr. Robinson further honed his operational expertise with the portfolio companies of RoundTable Healthcare Partners. He then expanded his private equity experience as Executive Director and Head of Investor Relations for a fund-of-funds focused on Lexington Partners' middle-market secondary investments. As a partner at Elevate Equity Partners, he successfully led complex growth equity and buyout transactions, specializing in EBITDA growth, free cash flow optimization, and financial restructuring.

For over a decade, he has partnered with lower middle-market companies throughout the investment lifecycle, driving transformation, revenue growth, cost reduction, and platform scalability.

Mr. Robinson has been a volunteer board member for several non-profit organizations, including The Ridley Scholarship Foundation and New Heights.

Mr. Robinson holds an MBA in Strategic Consulting & Data Analytics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BS in Finance & Marketing from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. Additionally, he has earned a Private Equity Certification from The Wharton School of Business.

Darrick Robinson is Managing Partner at Black Ocean Capital, where he leads investment strategy, portfolio growth, and value creation. Mr. Robinson specializes in lower middle-market acquisitions and transforming undercapitalized businesses into high-performing enterprises through strategic capital deployment and operational optimization.

He plays a key role in sourcing investment opportunities, executing acquisitions, and driving performance-focused initiatives. Mr. Robinson leverages his expertise in risk assessment, governance enhancement, and real-time analytics to drive sustainable growth for both investors and portfolio companies.

With over 20 years of experience in private equity, investment banking, operations, investor relations, and strategy, Mr. Robinson has developed deep expertise across the industrials, healthcare, consumer goods, and technology sectors. He began his career at JPMorgan Chase's Capital Markets Desk, later advancing to a senior trader position at Apex Capital, where he covered these key sectors.

Charles Spurrier, Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Charles Spurrier is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Black Ocean Capital, where he oversees the fund's day-to-day operations—from administration and compliance to financial reporting—to ensure all activities align with the fund’s strategic objectives. Working closely with both the investment and operations teams, he plays an integral role in guiding decision-making and driving value-creation initiatives.

With extensive experience spanning technology, entrepreneurship, real estate, and finance, Mr. Spurrier brings a multifaceted perspective to private equity investing. His career began in the software industry, where he established a foundation in financial systems implementation and process optimization.

With over 12 years in accounting and operations, his professional journey includes international experience modernizing operations for a family business in South America, entrepreneurial leadership in launching and managing a restaurant venture, and a prominent accounting role for a company with over $200+ million in annual revenue.

Prior to founding Black Ocean Capital, Mr. Spurrier expanded his expertise through successful real estate investment projects and served as a controller for a Utah-based real estate developer. The fund's mission reflects his commitment to delivering strong returns while empowering talented individuals within each portfolio company.

Mr. Spurrier holds a BS in Accounting from Utah Valley University and is committed to leveraging financial discipline and operational excellence to drive Black Ocean’s investment strategy

Kevin Adams is a Vice President at Black Ocean Capital where he plays a key role in deal execution, firm-wide strategy, and portfolio company operations. Focused on executing and managing investment opportunities, he works closely with management teams to optimize operations, identify M&A opportunities, and drive long-term value creation.

With 5+ years of experience in private equity, Mr. Adams has helped facilitate institutional capital raises, opportunity sourcing, deal due diligence, and portfolio operations. His early career in software-focused private equity gave him hands-on exposure to capital structuring, financial modeling, cross-border M&A, and operating experience, further shaping his strategic approach to investment.

At Black Ocean Capital, he applies his expertise to ensure portfolio companies are positioned for sustainable growth. His deep understanding of entrepreneurial finance and capital markets enables him to support business owners navigating transitions and scaling their enterprises.

Kevin Adams, Vice President

Mr. Adams holds a BS in Commerce (Finance Concentration) with a Minor in Entrepreneurship from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce. His commitment to strategic growth, ethical leadership, and long-term business success aligns with Black Ocean’s mission to transform overlooked companies into industry leaders.

Our Advisory Board

The Black Ocean advisory board includes industry leaders who provide strategic guidance and market insights. Their expertise strengthens our ability to scale businesses, navigate complex transactions, and drive long-term growth.

Lizabeth Dunn

Mergers & Acquisitions

Rob Roper

Industrials

Lavar Wagner

Technology & Industrials

Let’s Talk Strategy & Growth

At Black Ocean Capital, we see value where others don’t. Let’s schedule a call to discuss how our expertise and vision align with your goals.