Our Story

Ripe Capital was founded to acquire, operate, and grow niche software companies. Ripe Capital seeks B2B SaaS companies with a stable product, strong industry focus, and opportunity for growth.

Our name is inspired by the story of Samuel Zemurray. “Sam the Banana Man” was one of the most innovative and powerful businessmen of the 1900’s. A poor immigrant to the US, Zemurray bought ripes from banana merchants in the ports of New Orleans. Ripes were the freckled bananas that were thrown away since they would spoil before reaching the large US cities.

Zemurray saw an opportunity in this undervalued asset. He bought the ripes for almost nothing and through creativity, hustle, and relentless work ethic, created a network of buyers in smaller markets throughout the US.

Zemurray saved enough money to start his own company and eventually rose to become an extraordinary businessman, serving as President of The United Fruit Company, one of the most influential (and controversial) corporations of the time.

With a modern spin on Zemurray’s spirit, Ripe Capital’s mission is to find the ripes of today – companies that embrace unique market niches and find value where others overlook.

Ripe Capital was founded in Boston by Ben Lejfer, a former management consultant and software operator with an expertise in strategy, partnerships and corporate development.