BDV Solutions Announces Acquisition by Astara Capital Partners

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GREENVILLE, S.C. — November 04, 2021 — BDV Solutions, a tech-enabled, turnkey provider of employment-based immigration services to foreign nationals and employers, has announced that Astara Capital Partners, LLC, a middle-market private equity firm, has acquired a majority stake in the company.

Founded in 2011 by CEO Britt Vergnolle, BDV Solutions helps source employment for foreign nationals through the federal government’s EB-3 green card program. BDV places these employees in a wide range of industries, including:

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• Manufacturing
• Restaurant franchise groups
• Cleaning and maintenance companies
• Warehousing
• Distribution centers
• Food preparation

Statement from CEO Britt Vergnolle:

“BDV Solutions began at my kitchen table 10 years ago, and since then we have helped 5,100 foreign nationals secure their green cards via the EB-3 employment visa and helped over 84 employers fill much-needed positions. To secure this kind of investment in our future from a trusted partner like Astara is exciting and incredibly rewarding for our whole BDV family.”

Vergnolle added:

“This major investment underscores the importance of EB-3 workers for employers across the country as we face unprecedented labor shortages. Our expansion will allow us to bring the good news about this type of hiring to the industries and companies who need it the most.”

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About EB-3 Unskilled Visa:

The EB-3 Unskilled Visa is a visa preference category for U.S. employment-based permanent residency that requires a sponsoring employer. It is intended for U.S. businesses unable to find domestic workers for unskilled positions. The program was established by Congress in 1990 to address persistent labor shortages and offer foreign nationals a pathway to legally work in the U.S.

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Astara Capital Partners' Involvement:

“We chose to partner with BDV due to its outstanding leadership, passionate and diverse culture, and strong commitment to serving its customers,” said Lindsey Tannenbaum, who led the investment for Astara. “BDV’s model helps employers solve staffing challenges and meet their diversity goals. BDV’s tech-enabled immigration services are helping address chronic labor and supply chain shortages, especially after the pandemic, and we’re excited to introduce them to companies in our network.”

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BDV Solutions’ Expansion Plans:

As BDV continues to hire new employees, the company plans to expand its physical footprint next month from 2,400 square feet to 8,000 square feet across two floors in the historic Harper Brothers building in downtown Greenville.

BDV will also leverage Astara’s investment to grow its geographic footprint beyond the 28 states it currently serves, and into new industries and companies where EB-3 visa workers are critically needed. Their technology, which streamlines all aspects of their services, will continue to provide real-time transparency for both foreign nationals and employers as cases move through the U.S. immigration system.

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About BDV Solutions:

Headquartered in Greenville, SC, BDV Solutions is the largest independent company in the U.S. specializing in addressing the country’s growing unskilled labor gap using the EB-3 visa program. BDV helps U.S. companies and foreign nationals navigate the complex U.S. immigration system.
More information can be found at www.bdvsolutions.com.

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About Astara Capital Partners:

Astara Capital Partners is an integrated team of investors and operators focused on the middle market. The firm provides capital, strategic, and operational resources to build sustainable value and position companies for long-term success. Astara specializes in sectors like packaging, food, building products, forest products, and industrial manufacturing.
More information can be found at www.astaracapital.com.