Brightstar Taps Veteran Eric Epstein to Fuel AI-Driven Growth

NEW YORK, NY – April 01, 2026 – Brightstar Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, has made a significant strategic move, appointing investment industry veteran Eric Epstein as Partner and Co-Chair. The appointment, effective May 1, 2026, signals a concerted effort by the firm to scale its platform, deepen investor relationships, and accelerate its ambitious technology-driven value creation strategy.

A Strategic Play for a Growing Firm

Founded in 2015 by Andrew Weinberg, Brightstar has rapidly established itself in the competitive middle-market landscape. The firm, which now manages $5 billion in assets, saw its first two flagship funds close at their hard caps, raising over $710 million for Fund I in 2018 and approximately $1.27 billion for Fund II in 2021. This success has enabled a series of strategic acquisitions across business services, industrials, and technology sectors.

Epstein’s arrival comes as Brightstar is reportedly marketing its third flagship fund, aiming for a significant step up in capital. In his new role, he will join Founder and CEO Andrew Weinberg and Partner and Co-Chair Marcelo Claure in a leadership triumvirate designed to guide the firm’s next chapter. His primary focus will be on steering strategic direction and enhancing engagement with Brightstar’s global network of limited partners.

This high-profile hire is particularly timely. The private equity fundraising environment has been challenging in recent years, with capital consolidating towards the largest, most established players. For a mid-size manager like Brightstar, bringing on a leader with Epstein’s pedigree is a powerful statement to institutional investors, demonstrating a commitment to building a durable, top-tier organization.

The Epstein Effect: Decades of Institutional Credibility

Epstein brings more than three decades of formidable experience in capital formation and investment firm leadership, most notably from his long and distinguished tenure at Davidson Kempner Capital Management. Having joined the global investment giant in 2000, he rose through the ranks to become President and later Vice Chairman, playing an instrumental role in scaling the firm and cultivating deep relationships with sophisticated institutional investors worldwide.

His decision to move to a middle-market focused firm like Brightstar underscores a belief in the platform Weinberg and Claure have constructed. “After many rewarding years helping to scale a global investment platform, I’ve been thoughtful about the next chapter of my career,” Epstein stated in the announcement. “I was drawn to Brightstar’s culture, its focus on control-oriented investing, and the strong foundation Andrew and Marcelo have built.”

Weinberg, who has known Epstein for many years, emphasized the trust and alignment between them. “Eric’s track record of building long-term relationships with sophisticated institutional investors around the world is a quality I deeply admire,” he said. “He played a key role in scaling a global investment organization through a period of significant growth.” This addition to the leadership team is expected to provide Brightstar with invaluable expertise as it navigates its own expansion and seeks to attract further institutional capital.

Fueling the AI Engine

Beyond strengthening its fundraising capabilities, Epstein's appointment is poised to provide strategic reinforcement for Brightstar’s most distinct initiative: its aggressive integration of artificial intelligence. Under the leadership of Marcelo Claure, the firm has declared its ambition to be a leader in applying AI to drive operational value across its portfolio, a vision that requires significant resources and strategic oversight.

Brightstar’s approach to AI is already moving from theory to practice. The firm has developed a suite of over 30 internal AI agents on the OpenAI platform that assist with everything from initial deal screening—reportedly cutting the time to review investment memos from hours to minutes—to market mapping. This philosophy of augmenting, rather than replacing, human decision-making is a core tenet of its strategy.

This tech-forward approach extends directly into its portfolio companies. In its car auction business, AI is being used to craft more effective marketing campaigns. More recently, following its acquisition of a 50% stake in Arden University, Brightstar announced plans to embed AI to personalize learning, streamline student support, and rapidly translate curricula for international expansion.

“At Brightstar, our ambition is to be a leading private equity firm in applying AI to drive value across our portfolio, and delivering on that vision requires the right leaders,” Claure commented. He noted that Epstein’s “credibility in the market, deep understanding of investor priorities, and decades of experience will further strengthen our platform.” Epstein’s role in ensuring a stable and growing capital base will be crucial in underwriting these ambitious, tech-driven transformations.

Navigating the Middle-Market Landscape

The move comes at an opportune time in the private equity cycle. After a period of slowdown, confidence among executives is rebounding, with many anticipating a rise in M&A activity in 2026, driven by stronger economic growth and more attractive valuations. The U.S. middle market, in particular, remains a focal point for limited partners seeking compelling returns.

LPs are increasingly drawn to mid-market strategies due to less competition for deals compared to the large-cap space and greater opportunities for hands-on operational improvement. They are actively seeking specialized managers who can demonstrate a clear, repeatable playbook for value creation that goes beyond financial leverage.

Brightstar’s dual focus on hands-on operational partnerships and disciplined AI deployment positions it well to meet these demands. The firm’s strategy directly addresses the LP desire for managers with deep operational expertise and a differentiated approach. By adding a leader of Epstein’s stature, Brightstar not only enhances its ability to execute this strategy but also strengthens its narrative to the investor community, signaling stability, strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to institutional-quality growth. His arrival solidifies the firm’s leadership structure as it prepares to capitalize on the evolving opportunities in the middle market.