HCAP Partners’ Impact Thesis

HCAP Partners provides mezzanine debt, private equity, and technical assistance for underserved businesses to drive operational excellence, quality job creation, and economic opportunity for frontline workers.

CHALLENGE

50.5 million Americans reside in distressed communities and a majority of distressed zip codes lost businesses and jobs¹

44% of the U.S. workforce are low-wage workers with fewer opportunities for upward mobility²

60% of low-income families experienced rising prices as “very stressful,” compared to just 21% of wealthy households³

40% of U.S. workers are in quality jobs⁴

Economic inequities are exacerbated by low job quality, hindering economic opportunity⁵

Warn Act filings are up to their highest level since 2016, a predicator of job losses⁶

HCAP CONTRIBUTION

Capital and value creation activities

  • Mezzanine debt and private equity tailored to business needs

  • Strategic support, engagement, and value-added resources

The Gainful Jobs Approach™

  • Quantitative measurement system to assess job quality

  • Hands-on engagement with leadership and management to improve job quality

  • Access to HR guidance, tools, resources, and technical assistance to support job quality improvements

  • Sharing of data, evidence, expertise, and lessons learned to support investors, employers, and government in creating quality jobs

IMPACT

Outputs

  • Greater access to capital for underserved businesses

  • Increased wages for frontline workers

  • Increased access to 401(k), ESOPs, and profit sharing

  • Increased access to healthcare and wellness benefits

  • Increased workplace satisfaction

  • Reduced turnover

  • Greater pay equity

  • Increased frontline workers in management positions

Outcomes

¹Distressed Communities Index.

²Meet the low low-wage workforce. Martha Rossa and Nicole Bateman, Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program

³Household Pulse Survey, Phase 4.2 Cycle 09, U.S. Census Bureau, Aug. 20–Sept. 16, 2024

⁴The American Job Quality Study, Gallup, JFF, Families and Workers Fund, W.E. UpJohn Institute for Employment Research

⁵Why Job Quality? Aspen Institute

⁶There are Growing Signs of Weakness in the US Job Market, Goldman Sachs Research, Nov. 2025