Clayton Associates is a holding company known for its venture capital manager, FCA Venture Partners, which provides early stage and growth equity to companies primarily in healthcare services and technology. Clayton Associates also manages Operating Companies, makes Angel Investments, and is actively involved in serving the Community.
Clayton Associates was founded in 1996 by R. Clayton McWhorter, Stuart C. McWhorter, and Bill F. Cook. Because of the extensive operating experience and network of relationships of the funds’ principals, Clayton Associates is often a sought after partner by successful entrepreneurs and management teams seeking access to capital. In 2005, Ingram Industries of Nashville, Tennessee made a minority investment in Clayton Associates and John R. Ingram was added to the Advisory Board.
The firm’s venture capital manager, FCA Venture Partners, has managed a total of 5 funds including exited funds FCA I and FCA II as well as three active funds FCA III, IV, and their new fund, FCA V. Typical investment sizes range from $1M to $6M of equity in companies with experienced management teams who are implementing proven business models with well-defined exit strategies.
Since its inception, Clayton Associates, FCA Venture Partners, and affiliates have invested over $125M in more than 72 venture deals, which has resulted in the creation of over 20,000 jobs and companies representing greater than $7B in annualized revenue.