Advantage Capital Invests $3.5 Million in Vibrant Corporation to Facilitate Expansion, Increase Production
Series A Round provides Vibrant Corporation with funding to expand its workforce, scale production, anchor Operations in New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, Nm., July 18, 2023 — Advantage Capital, a leading impact investing firm, today announced a $3.35 million investment in Vibrant Corporation, a non-destructive testing (NDT) technology company. Advantage Capital led the round, with several pre-existing Vibrant shareholders also participating. The company will leverage this funding to expand its workforce and increase production.
Founded in 2006 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Vibrant is a leader in the NDT space, developing the most commercially viable approach for Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) – a method of vibrating objects to test their integrity, which was initially developed at Los Alamos Laboratory.
“We are pleased to have received this funding at this critical moment in our growth trajectory,” said Lem Hunter, Chief Executive Officer, Vibrant Corporation. “With this financing, we will be able to build out our workforce with exceptional talent, continue to scale production, and importantly, stay here in the great state of New Mexico.”
In late 2021, Vibrant gained traction with Collins Aerospace in applying PCRT to replace an environmentally unfriendly and labor-intensive NDT process on commercial aircraft wheels for most Boeing and Airbus commercial aircraft.
In light of this success, the company will use this investment to fund the construction and deployment of additional testing machines for commercial aircraft wheels. Much of this funding will go directly to the company’s efforts in building advanced PCRT systems to support its rapidly growing service business in Aerospace, Power Generation, and Automotive markets.
“Vibrant is exactly the type of growth-ready business we are looking to invest in. It’s innovative, a leader in its industry and we are excited to see how this financing will help the company continue its expansion,” said Gabe Rosen, Vice President, Advantage Capital.
Vibrant is committed to investing in the local community— the manufacturing team prioritizes Albuquerque suppliers whenever available, often choosing contract manufacturers and distributors within the local area.
The financing was made in connection with the Federal New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) Program, which aims to attract investment in low-income communities. By encouraging private investment, the program helps fill the financing gap that exists for many businesses in distressed areas—helping to drive job growth and economic development in the places that need it most.
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About Advantage Capital
Advantage Capital provides financing to established and emerging companies located in communities underserved by conventional sources of capital. Since 1992, the firm has invested more than $3.8 billion in companies from a diverse array of industry sectors and has helped support more than 66,000 jobs. Learn more at advantagecap.com, or via Twitter or LinkedIn.
About Vibrant
Vibrant is revolutionizing nondestructive testing in the aerospace, automotive, and power generation markets. Its Process Compensated Resonance Testing (PCRT) measures resonance frequencies through whole parts, ensuring comprehensive testing and significantly improving the quality of the final product. PCRT applications range from quality assurance and process capability assessment for OEMs to in-service structural assessment and life monitoring for MRO organizations. With facilities in the U.S. and Europe, Vibrant is AS9100 Rev C and ISO 9001:2008 certified, and is an FAA Repair Station.
For more information, visit www.vibrantndt.com.
Contacts
Advantage Capital
Joe Stosberg, Communications Manager
jstosberg@advantagecap.com
Advantage Capital is an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Such registration, however, does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This release has been prepared for informational purposes and to announce a prior event, and nothing herein should be construed as an offer of investment advisory services or as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities or investment product. All offers of investment interests in any fund or investment vehicle managed directly or indirectly by Advantage Capital are and will be made only to qualified prospective investors pursuant to separate and definitive offering and subscription documents in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws. Advantage Capital is an equal opportunity provider.
Any third-party statements herein are by persons other than current clients or investors in any private fund directly or indirectly managed by Advantage Capital, and although Advantage Capital did invest cash funds in Vibrant Corporation (Vibrant) through the federal New Markets Tax Credit program, Lem Hunter (Vibrant Corporation’s CEO) has not received any direct compensation, whether in cash or non-cash form, for the statements or opinions expressed herein. There are no known material conflicts of interest on the part of any third party making or expressing such statements or opinions resulting from such party’s relationship with Advantage Capital or from Advantage Capital’s cash investment in Vibrant or participation in any federal or state tax credit program.