January 30, 2024

Gauge-Backed RIP-IT Acquires Volleyball Leader Tachikara USA

The acquisition underscores RIP-IT’s commitment to becoming the undisputed leader in performance innovation for female athletes. 

Orlando, FL – RIP-IT, the leader in performance-driven innovations for female athletes, has announced the acquisition of Tachikara USA (“Tachikara”), a legendary brand in volleyball equipment. 

Tachikara’s rich legacy is a natural fit with RIP-IT’s history as the go-to brand for female softball, soccer, and volleyball athletes.  “We are excited to pair RIP-IT’s growing momentum in volleyball footwear and equipment with Tachikara’s unwavering commitment to delivering high quality, high-performance volleyballs,” said Matthew Polstein, co-CEO of RIP-IT.

“We look forward to building on the Tachikara legacy. This acquisition reaffirms RIP-IT’s commitment to providing better products for better performance," shared Gauge Co-Founder and Managing Partner Drew Johnson. Gauge Capital Vice President Reilly McAllister added “We are excited for Tachikara to grow alongside Ringor, a prior footwear-focused RIP-IT acquisition, and look forward to welcoming more brands to the RIP-IT family to help us better deliver for female athletes from head to toe across sports.”

The DVS Group served as sell-side advisor for Tachikara USA. Polsinelli served assell-side legal advisor. McDermott Will & Emery served as buy-side legal advisor.    

About Gauge Capital (www.gaugecapital.com)
Gauge Capital is a leading middle-market private equity firm based in Southlake, Texas. Gauge invests in five key sectors: business services, food & consumer, government & industrial services, healthcare, and technology. The Firm manages more than $3.0 billion in capital and in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, Inc. Magazine named Gauge one of the top private equity firms for founders. In 2021, 2022, and 2023 Gauge was also named to the Top 50 PE Firms in the Middle Market by Grady Campbell. In 2022, Gauge ranked in the top 5 out of 517 private equity firms in the HEC Paris – DowJones Small-Cap Buyout Performance Ranking. For more information, please contact Andrew Peix, Managing Director of Business Development at apeix@gaugecapital.com. 

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