Growth Capital for Enduring Brands
Operator-led growth equity to support exceptional founders building lasting consumer companies.
Why Cutting Horse
We've been in the founder seat. Multiple times.
We understand that business is more than spreadsheets and PowerPoints. It's about people, process, and grit.
Our beginnings
Why we created Cutting Horse
- 01The gap
As founders, we saw a gap in the market for true operator-minded institutional capital in early-stage consumer brands.
- 02Our experience
We sought to leverage our deep operating experience building high-growth consumer businesses, combined with our track record investing in and advising early-stage founders.
- 03Our approach
Our emerging growth equity investment style sits between bootstrapping and venture capital, leveraging the merits of each.
- 04The outcome
We help founders understand and de-risk the path to real cash liquidity—not valuation marks, headlines, or the amount of capital raised.
Who we are
Meet our founding partners
Mike Wystrach and Chris Protasewich have founded, scaled, invested in, and advised high-growth consumer businesses.
Portfolio and experience
Built to endure
Investment focus
Focused by design
Company$1–20M revenue
Investment$1–10M minority
StageSeed to emerging growth
ModelConsumer products + services
Insights
Useful thinking for consumer founders
Consumer ideas, portfolio news, and operating perspectives for founders building companies that last.
Explore insightsFounder FAQ
The useful answers first
The basics
What is Cutting Horse?
Cutting Horse is an operator-led consumer growth equity firm. We support founders building enduring consumer products and services businesses.
What size investment does Cutting Horse make?
We typically make $1–10 million minority growth investments.
At what stage does Cutting Horse invest?
We invest in Seed, Series A, and emerging growth companies, generally businesses with approximately $1–20 million in revenue.
Where is Cutting Horse based?
The Cutting Horse team operates across Boston and New York City.
How we work
How does Cutting Horse work with founders?
We combine growth capital, strategic guidance, and hands-on operating support grounded in our own experience building consumer businesses.
Does Cutting Horse lead investments?
Our current approach is to lead or co-lead minority growth investments, depending on the company and the round.
What does operator-led support mean in practice?
It means approaching decisions with the perspective of people who have been in the founder seat. The exact work varies by company, but it begins with practical support around the priorities that matter most to durable growth.
What should I share in a first introduction?
Start with a concise, non-confidential overview of the company, what you are building, and why you think Cutting Horse could be a fit. There is no need to send sensitive information in the first message.
The team
Who founded Cutting Horse?
Cutting Horse was founded by Mike Wystrach and Chris Protasewich, who have founded, scaled, invested in, and advised high-growth consumer businesses.
Why is the team operator-led?
The firm was built by investors and operators who understand that growing a business is about people, process, grit, and discipline—not only spreadsheets and presentations.
What experience does the team bring?
The team combines company-building, investing, finance, strategy, and operating experience across consumer businesses. Individual backgrounds and roles are available on the Team page.
Does Cutting Horse work with operating partners and advisors?
Yes. In addition to the investing team, Cutting Horse works with operating partners and advisors whose experience spans growth, finance, fund operations, and consumer company building.
What we look for
Which consumer categories are a fit?
Our current focus includes health and wellness, food and beverage, pet and animal health, home and lifestyle, and personal care and beauty across both products and services.
What company profile is most relevant?
We generally focus on consumer companies with approximately $1–20 million in revenue that are raising Seed, Series A, or emerging growth capital.
What business characteristics stand out?
High growth, strong margins and unit economics, and a demonstrated history of capital efficiency are all important to us.
Why does capital efficiency matter?
Capital efficiency can indicate that a company is building with focus and discipline. We view it alongside growth, economics, category dynamics, and the strength of the founding team—not as a standalone test.
For founders
Tell us what you're building
A concise introduction is enough to start. We love cold outreach, and you do not need a warm introduction or a polished deck. Please do not send highly confidential information at this stage.