Defining a VSOR

We acquire and scale mission-critical software businesses that serve as the backbone of their industries. These are Vertical Systems of Record (VSORs) — software platforms so embedded in day-to-day operations that businesses in a specific industry who operate without them do not last.

Platform Traits

A high-value VSOR is deeply embedded in the workflows of asset-heavy industries. These systems serve as the source of data origination and the source of truth — handling critical data like customer records, inventory, financial or operating records, or compliance reporting. 

A VSOR often represents a small portion of the customer’s overall budget and has high retention due to the operational risks and costs of switching. 

These types of VSOR operate within defensible niches with limited competition, and they tend to offer clear opportunities for integration with other products or companies. Simply put, VSORs are companies that their customers can’t function without.

Market Traits

The best VSORs operate in markets that are resilient, underserved, and fragmented. We look for companies selling into asset-heavy sectors like logistics, construction, agriculture, and utilities, often with sub-verticals that are growing fast and require specialized workflows.

Many of these markets are dominated by outdated systems or spreadsheets — and software adoption is increasing due to regulatory pressures, labor shortages, or rising customer expectations. In other cases, we see fragmented software ecosystems with no clear leader — offering a chance to consolidate and lead. These conditions create strong tailwinds for VSORs built to serve them.

Financial Traits

We look for VSORs that are financially sound businesses with reliable revenue and long-standing customer relationships. These traits ensure the businesses we partner with can survive market cycles and generate stable cash flow with room for reinvestment and growth.

  • >$1.5M in recurring revenue

  • 5+ years of operating history

  • Consistently profitable or clear path to profitability

  • Top 10 customers represent <10% of revenue

  • Gross dollar retention above 97%

  • Average customer age of 3+ years


These traits allow us to partner with management to ensure long term sustainable growth that does not rely on growth at all costs or financial engineering practices. 

Management Traits

We invest in companies with strong fundamentals and clear potential — and that often starts with the people. Management we partner with are typically looking for a thoughtful exit: they may be ready to step back, seeking a successor, or want a partner to help them scale the business to its next chapter. We look for businesses with clear upside — whether through pricing, product expansion, improved go-to-market systems, or operational efficiencies.

We’re especially excited by companies with a vision to become a platform — with bolt-on acquisition potential or a clear roadmap for adjacent products. If your business is sticky, profitable, and has room to grow — we’d love to talk.

© VVV Equity Partners

contact@vvvequitypartner.com

© VVV Equity Partners

contact@vvvequitypartner.com