Over fifteen years buying, building, and operating companies — usually alongside the founders who started them.

A Forbes “30 Under 30” alum and partner in several Inc. “Fastest Growing Companies,” I’ve spent close to fifteen years and more than $100M in closed transactions learning that the hard part of a deal is rarely the math – it’s the trust and the transition.

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About Matt Bodnar

Matt Bodnar is the Founder and Managing Partner of Eidolon Capital, a Nashville-based private equity firm focused on control acquisitions in the lower middle market. Over nearly fifteen years and more than $100M in closed transactions, he has learned that the hard part of a deal is rarely the math — it’s the trust, the transition, and the knowledge that never made it onto a spreadsheet.

Eidolon acquires founder- and family-owned businesses in services, distribution, and manufacturing, with a simple operating philosophy: preserve what already works, invest in the people who built it, and grow patiently from a strong foundation. Matt serves as Chairman of Fabtek Industries, Ozark River Manufacturing, Tennessee Rack, and The NASH Collection, and oversees a diversified portfolio through the Bodnar Investment Group spanning food & beverage, retail, commercial real estate, and agriculture.

He is the creator and host of The Science of Success, a top-ranked podcast on the psychology of achievement and evidence-based decision-making, with more than 5 million downloads and 390+ episodes reaching listeners in over 100 countries. Guests have included Dr. Brené Brown, Dr. Matthew Walker, Dr. Robert Cialdini, Dr. Carol Dweck, Adam Grant, Dr. Amy Cuddy, Charles Duhigg, and James Clear. The show was ranked #1 in New & Noteworthy and top 10 in Social Sciences on Apple Podcasts.

Matt was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 (2017) and is a Forbes Business Council member. He began his career at Goldman Sachs in New York before building Fresh Hospitality’s restaurant portfolio as Partner and Head of M&A. He is a keynote speaker on decision-making, negotiation, and high-leverage thinking. He holds a degree in Political Science, Chinese, and Business from the University of Richmond.

Snapshot Timeline

  • 2007

    Worked as an import /
    export consultant in
    Nanjing, China

  • 2009

    Goldman Sachs in
    New York city

  • 2011

    Joined Fresh Hospitality as Partner and Head of M&A (and moved to Nashville)

  • 2011

    Acquired CRS, Inc
    (later rebranded to
    Fresh Technology)

  • 2011

    Joined Bodnar Investment Group Family Office

  • 2012

    Co-founded
    Fresh Capital

  • 2015

    Acquired WWISP, Inc
    Rebranded to
    (Fresh Managed IT)

  • 2016

    Fresh Technology
    named to Inc 5000

  • 2017

    Named to Forbes
    30 Under 30

  • 2019

    Tazikis named
    to Inc 5000

  • 2019

    Acquired
    Togo Technologies

  • 2022

    Acquired Tristar Staffing Solutions

  • 2022

    Acquired Williams Medical Supply

  • 2022

    Rebranded Highland Staffing

  • 2022

    Acquired Tennessee Rack

  • 2023

    Acquired Ozark River Manufacturing