Old Second Bancorp’s O2 Sponsor Finance division announced that it will serve as the Administrative Agent and Co‑Lead Arranger for senior secured credit facilities that will fund the acquisition of EventLink Group by private‑equity firms Paceline Equity Partners, LLC and Serata Capital Partners, LLC. The facilities are senior secured, giving the lenders priority over other creditors in the event of default, and the arrangement positions OSBC as a key financial partner in a multi‑party transaction.
O2 Sponsor Finance, a division launched in 2022 to provide senior cash‑flow loans to lower‑middle‑market companies in sponsor‑led deals, will manage the credit facilities and oversee the loan documentation. While the total amount of the facilities and the overall purchase price for EventLink have not been disclosed, the transaction underscores the division’s focus on high‑quality, lower‑middle‑market opportunities and its ability to structure complex financing for private‑equity transactions.
The deal is a significant revenue driver for OSBC’s sponsor‑finance business. In the third quarter of 2025, OSBC reported net income of $9.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, reflecting a solid fee‑income base. By adding this transaction, the bank expands its footprint in the sponsor‑finance market and is poised to capture additional fee income from future deals, reinforcing its growth strategy in a niche that has proven resilient during broader market volatility.
EventLink Group, a leading experiential‑marketing services provider, was acquired to accelerate its growth and invest in digital and physical logistics capabilities. The acquisition is expected to allow EventLink to pursue strategic add‑ons and expand its client base while maintaining its management team. The partnership with Paceline and Serata is intended to provide capital and strategic guidance, enabling EventLink to scale its high‑margin service offerings.
Management comments highlight the long‑standing relationship and confidence in the transaction. Thom Karle, Senior Vice President of O2 Sponsor Finance, said, “We have enjoyed an eight‑year relationship with EventLink and are excited to support Paceline and Serata in their acquisition.” Drew Bagot, Managing Partner at Serata Capital Partners, added, “EventLink exemplifies the high‑integrity, mission‑driven partner we look for, and their team’s execution will be a key driver of future growth.” Kevin Otis, CEO of EventLink, noted, “Our partnership with Serata is not a change in who we are—it’s a commitment to where we’re going, and with their support we’re better positioned than ever to create brand experiences that move people.”
The transaction reflects a broader trend of private‑equity firms investing in experiential‑marketing and event‑planning companies that can scale through digital platforms and logistics infrastructure. For OSBC, the deal demonstrates the effectiveness of its sponsor‑finance model and its ability to secure senior secured facilities for complex acquisitions, positioning the bank to capture additional fee income and deepen relationships with private‑equation partners.
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