Ed Lhee, the co-founder of New Harbor Capital, is a prominent figure in private equity, focusing specifically on the lower-middle market. His firm belief in this sector's transformative power to enhance small businesses fuels his dedication to supporting ambitious entrepreneurs. His experiences, from his humble beginnings in Seoul, South Korea, to his rise in the competitive world of private equity, inspire his commitment to nurturing business growth and innovation. Ed spent his early childhood in Seoul, where an extended family raised him while his parents established their lives in America. During this period, he taught him the importance of adaptability and resilience, foundational traits that would later influence his business approach. Reuniting with his parents in Chicago at age seven, he moved to the northern suburbs and attended New Trier High School. There, he engaged in team sports, learning about the dynamics of teamwork and the critical impact of cohesive team culture over individual prowess. While pursuing higher education, Ed enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied at the Wharton School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences. He graduated with dual degrees in finance and psychology, which broadened his understanding of business strategy's economic and human elements. Ed's professional journey began at Morgan Stanley's M&A and Corporate Finance Groups, where he developed a solid foundation in financial analysis and strategic business operations. He deepened his expertise at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, earning an MBA in 1997. Driven by a passion for private equity, Ed pursued this field over more traditional investment banking or consulting roles. His search led him to Code Hennessy & Simmons in Chicago, where he furthered his investment skills and developed a passion for fostering effective business leadership.