Westport, Conn. — Dan Zelson, Cliff Sirlin and Ben Harris have launched Charter Growth Partners, a new private investment firm and growth equity fund that will manage, lease and acquire retail and mixed-use properties nationwide.
Born from the experience of Charter Growth Partners and Zelco Properties, the integrated platform helps retail-first and consumer-facing businesses expand by combining growth capital with real estate execution and brand strategy. Collectively, the founders have managed more than $2 billion in capital and scaled over 150 companies.
“We have a decades-long track record working alongside exceptional retail and consumer businesses,” says Dan Zelson, founding partner. “What we have learned is that scaling requires more than capital. It needs disciplined site selection, thoughtful leasing and an exceptional operating playbook. Charter Growth Partners was built to bring those capabilities together.”
Charter Growth Partners will focus on investments that include food-and-beverage, health and wellness, specialty retail, sports and entertainment.
Charter Realty is a full-service national commercial real estate firm that has leased more than 30 million square feet. Zelco Properties has completed acquisitions and ground-up developments totaling more than 8 million square feet across retail, mixed-use, hospitality, technology campuses and residential projects.