We are operators first, allocating capital and execution like investors.

Coogee Bay Partners is a specialized advisory and investment firm. We bring a tight, battle-tested team of experts in product, marketing, engineering, corporate development, and operations to complex transactions and business challenges.

Our focus

  • CBP bridges the critical gap between capital and execution. Partnering with sponsors across the investment spectrum—from venture and growth equity to large-scale private equity buyouts and take-private transactions—we provide deep diligence support, differentiated insights, and actionable strategy. When needed, we step in as interim management to lead complex operational turnarounds.

  • CBP acquires lower-middle-market businesses and distressed assets, deploying the deep expertise and resources developed through our track record as successful operators and investors. We target platforms that require hands-on strategic and operational guidance to unlock growth and drive meaningful value.

  • Mike Felman & Josh Ellstein Founded CBP in 2022 following the successful building and exit of Backstage, the leading suite of tools & services for the content creation ecosystem. Mike brings extensive corporate development, sales & finance experience as a former TMT investment banker, while Josh drives product, marketing & engineering, drawing on his background as a management consultant at BCG.

    • Refounding & Scaling: Refounded Backstage.com, operating the business for 11 years through multiple private equity recaps to a successful strategic sale to Cast & Crew. Refounded and currently serve as the General Partner of DanceMedia.com.

    • Bankruptcy & Distressed Carve-outs: Acquired Simplicity.com out of bankruptcy; current owners and operators.

    • Public-to-Private & Complex Diligence: Lead diligence and operational strategy on large-scale public-to-private buyouts alongside traditional private and growth equity sponsors.

    • Board Leadership & Interim C-Suite: Actively serve as Executive Co-Chairmen (Caring Transitions) and regularly step in as fulltime, interim & fractional leadership to stabilize and scale portfolio companies.