Trive Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm, announced its investments in Merlin RAMCo and ISR Group.

The strategic relationship strengthens the depth and breadth of the services offered to Merlin’s and ISR’s customers.

“We have invested in and partnered with two organizations that are recognized for their expertise in the fast growing UAV industry as demonstrated by Merlin and ISR’s track record, breadth of service offering, and accomplished employee base. The investment represents Trive’s seventh platform investment and the firm’s fifth out of Trive Capital Fund I,” said Trive Managing Partner Conner Searcy.

Merlin CEO Brian Raduenz stated, “We strive to inspire our people, build trust with our customers, and add value to our mission partners, while continually seeking new service offerings such as ISR’s unrivaled airfield range capabilities. Our management team is eager to work with both Trive and ISR to further enhance our industry-leading UAV expertise in support of government and commercial customers.”

“Trive’s collaboration and creativity helped bring Merlin and ISR together, which demonstrates their commitment to management’s strategic vision,” remarked Merlin Chief Administrative Officer Bob Miller, Jr. “Trive’s approach resonates with the Merlin and ISR teams, most notably because of their operational approach to our growth plans.”

“Trive is enthusiastic to support this exceptional management team and their employees in pursuing numerous growth opportunities,” noted Trive Managing Director David Stinnett. “We look forward to leveraging the organizations’ respective strengths to create a full service, single-source provider with superior service capabilities and assets that will create a differentiated platform in the UAV sector.”

Jacksonville, FL- headquartered Merlin is a provider of manned and unmanned flight operations, maintenance, engineering services and logistics support for the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies worldwide.

Savannah, TN-headquartered ISR operates a 6,000 acre private test and training range complex and has past performance and specialized expertise in the operations, testing, training and technical support to unmanned aviation partners and government organizations.