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, 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.
Zachary Smith has joined Black Ocean Capital as Partner and Head of Capital Formation, where he oversees all fundraising and investor relations initiatives. Mr. Smith leads the firm’s capital formation strategy, cultivating relationships with institutional investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals to support acquisitions and long-term portfolio growth.
Zachary has held leadership roles at Morgan Stanley, Crescent Capital, and Wells Fargo Asset Management, where he specialized in institutional fundraising, scaling private market investments, and developing strategic partnerships. He has worked extensively with public pensions, insurance companies, and family offices, helping to deploy capital across private equity, credit, and alternative investments.
Zach also led the fundraise for Redemption Holding Company to buy Holladay Bank & Trust, making Redemption Bank Utah’s first Minority Depository Institution (MDI) and the only Black-owned Bank between Houston and Los Angeles.
Zachary Smith, Partner and Head of Capital Formation
Beyond his professional experience, Zachary is a passionate advocate for economic equity, education accessibility and financial inclusion. He serves as a Board Member for the National Black Bank Foundation (NBBF), a Trustee at Rowland Hall, Chairman of Horizons National at Rowland Hall and a Founding Board Member of the University of Utah’s HBCU Partnership Program, which creates post-graduate and employment pathways for HBCU students.
A Utah native, Zachary earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business.
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
Ian Higgins
Rare Earths
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.