Brightstar Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in business services, industrials, consumer, and government services and technology companies, today announced that Marcelo Claure has joined the Firm as Partner and Co-Chair. Claure, the Founder and CEO of Claure Group and former CEO of Sprint and Softbank International, also will increase his investment in Brightstar. Claure will serve as Co-Chair alongside the Firm’s founder and CEO, Andrew Weinberg. The two leaders have a trusted, two-decade relationship.

Claure will focus on Brightstar’s deal origination, capital formation, value creation strategies, and the implementation of AI initiatives across the Firm’s portfolio companies. His appointment further cements a partnership that began when the two leaders built Brightstar Corp., which Claure founded as a young entrepreneur by selling phones from the back of his car. With Weinberg first serving as lead investor and later as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, Brightstar Corp. became the world’s largest wireless distribution and services company before its sale to Softbank Corp. in 2014.

“This marks a full-circle moment for Andrew and me, from building Brightstar Corp. together to now leading Brightstar Capital Partners into its next chapter,” said Claure. “I look forward to spending the majority of my time working closely with the Brightstar team as we seek to create value across Brightstar’s portfolio and aim to help scale the Firm into one of the world’s premier investment platforms.”

“There’s only one Marcelo Claure in the world. His talent and vision consistently inspire those around him, and I’m beyond thrilled that he’s joining us as Partner and Co-Chair,” said Weinberg. “I believe his leadership, relationship network, and expertise in technology and AI will enhance our capabilities as we focus on helping businesses realize their full potential.”

Claure added, “AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, and I see tremendous opportunities to harness these changes across Brightstar’s portfolio. I’m confident that Brightstar’s operationally intensive model positions us well to capitalize on these advancements.”

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