About Us
At AUA Equity, we seek to achieve superior, risk-adjusted returns by harnessing our private equity and operating expertise to support lower middle-market enterprises in realizing their fullest potential. AUA Private Equity Partners believes that active sponsorship and fully aligned partnerships reflect our firm's long-term and strategic outlook for growing companies and unlocking value.
AUA Equity is a minority-owned, operationally-focused, private equity firm that makes control and significant minority equity investments in companies in the consumer, media, and business services sectors. In addition, we target Hispanic-oriented companies and family-owned businesses located in the United States. We define the Hispanic-oriented market as companies that are Hispanic-owned, currently target or could benefit from targeting the Hispanic consumer, or predominately employ Hispanics.
Our team at AUA Equity brings together different disciplines and perspectives in analyzing each investment opportunity. The firm is led by Managing Partner Andy Unanue, former Chief Operating Officer of Goya Foods, Inc., the largest and most successful Hispanic-owned food company in the United States (founded by the Unanue family). We also draw on the strength of our operating executive board to provide additional industry insights, guidance, and operational and strategic direction. The team has significant experience managing companies post-investment as private equity investors and operators and is thus able to better assist smaller companies in executing their business plans.
As a minority-owned firm with a long history of working with family-owned businesses, we understand the challenges and issues that companies face. We employ a unique business model to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns by combining operational expertise and family-owned business insights with institutional private equity experience.
Our operating experience and private equity expertise enables us to provide the needed capital and strategic and operational guidance to help grow companies. Our real-life insight helps our portfolio companies navigate the many business decisions that arise in executing and operating their businesses.
Market Outreach
AUA Equity and its principals participate in a number of community, educational and industry programs, and network groups. Our involvement allows us to give back to the community that we support and it allows us to create a partnership-first approach with businessmen, community leaders, and others who help represent the voice of the Hispanic community and small business enterprises:













