Raptor: From first outreach to close—fast, quiet, and clean

Raptor is an example of how Paxden runs an owner-led, fit-first process: small outreach, staged disclosure, and exclusivity only when partner quality and terms are validated.

Origination

Investor lens + pattern recognition

Targeted waste intentionally (durable demand, strong moats, deep buyer universe)
Saw “Raptor Recycle & Transfer” from the highway → turned around, visited the site
Facilities looked different / high quality → cold outreach (no intro)

Process

Owner-first + time protection

Started with founders’ reality: burned before → zero patience for games
Set priorities + non-negotiables first (before “data room theater”)
We ran the work: materials + dataroom + diligence triage
Staged disclosure: no-names first →NDA → limited info until seriousness
Narrowed dozens → two finalists based on fit + execution credibility

Outcome

No bait-and-switch + fast execution

No exclusivity until in-person conviction + founder alignment
$X0s mm transaction; exclusivity → close in ~30 days
Terms held (no late retrade; no surprises)
Founders happy with partner, Tiger; we remain involved (board + investor)

A cold start can still produce a great outcome—if the process is controlled, screened, and owner-led

What this case study demonstrates

Investor-trained
underwriting (not marketing)

Targeted waste intentionally and approached it like an investor, not a salesperson

Fast trust-building

Cold email → credible relationship → closed transaction in months

Owner time protected

Founders met only with
screened finalists, not a
parade of “maybes”

Loyalty to the owner
(not the buy-side)

Investors were told upfront: the structure is the structure (modest adjustments only)

No bait-and-switch

Exclusivity only after
credibility was proven;
terms held through close

Strategic partner before any agreement

Helped shape M&A strategy + partnership plans before paper was signed

"Josh thinks like an investor and advises like a partner. Our capital partner, Tiger’s been a great supporter for our growth."

Shawn Polowniak

Founder Raptor, My Dumpster Guy, Blacktop Creative

Raptor: Platform execution, not a one-off deal

My Dumpster Guy

Acquisition orchestrated alongside Raptor (founder-owned, same principals)

Municipal Government

Began strategic partnership conversations with major municipality

Northland Recycle and Transfer

Separate owner group; negotiated and executed acquisition path

Growth Initiatives

Jointly negotiated 3 LOIs on additional assets

"Before we had an agreement, Josh was already helping us navigate acuisitions and partnerships. "

Kit Starr

Founder Raptor, My Dumpster Guy, Starr Homes

We didn’t just close a deal—we helped build a platform while the plane was flying