How Tidewater Works
Tidewater is not a traditional committed-capital fund. The firm sources and reviews individual investment opportunities and presents each transaction to prospective participants separately. Every opportunity has its own company, structure, terms, risks, and potential return. Investors choose which opportunities, if any, they want to consider, with no obligation to participate in future transactions.
Depending on the investment, Tidewater may lead a transaction or invest alongside other sponsors and investors. Following an investment, the firm may remain involved through board service, company oversight, or participation in later financings.
Who We Work With
Investors
Tidewater works with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and other experienced private investors. Participants review each company and transaction on its own merits and decide whether the opportunity fits their objectives and risk tolerance.
Business owners
Tidewater works with owners considering shareholder liquidity, an ownership transition, or outside capital to support the next stage of a company's development. A transaction may involve a full sale, a majority investment, a minority investment, or another structure suited to the particular situation.
Intermediaries
Tidewater reviews opportunities introduced by investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, lenders, and other professional advisors. The firm considers both equity and debt investments and may lead a transaction or invest alongside other capital providers.
Investment Types
Private equity
Full or majority ownership positions in established private companies. These transactions may provide liquidity to existing shareholders, support a change in ownership, or provide capital for expansion and acquisitions.
Growth capital
Minority or structured investments in private companies seeking capital for a defined growth plan. Uses may include expanding capacity, entering new markets, developing products, or funding other strategic initiatives
Venture capital
Selective investments in emerging companies, generally where Tidewater or its network has relevant industry experience. Prior investments have included healthcare, medical technology, biotechnology, and information technology.
Subordinated debt
Junior debt capital invested alongside a senior lender to address a defined financing need without requiring a control equity investment. Tidewater originated Leghorn Investments, which was later spun out and is no longer managed by Tidewater.
Companies and Investments
Tidewater's portfolio has included control investments, minority investments, venture investments, and subordinated debt.
southatlanticpackaging.com
South Atlantic Contract Packaging is a full-service contract packaging business headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Through South Atlantic and its affiliated Wheelhouse companies - ProStar Packaging and Versatile Packagers - the business provides kitting, labeling, shrink wrapping, blister and club-pack assembly, fulfillment, and other co-packaging services. Tidewater invested in South Atlantic in 2017. Merrette Moore serves as Executive Chairman.
technicalcoatinginternational.com
Technical Coating International is a contract coater and laminator of roll-based flexible substrates based in Leland, North Carolina. Founded in 1992, TCI works with films, foils, paper, woven materials, and nonwoven materials for customers in packaging, electronics, healthcare, aerospace, and other industries. Tidewater acquired TCI in early 2025. Merrette Moore serves as Executive Chairman.
phononic.com
Phononic develops solid-state thermoelectric cooling devices and control systems for thermal management. Its current work includes cooling for optical transceivers, co-packaged optics, graphics processors, and high-bandwidth memory used in AI data centers. The company's semiconductor-based systems are designed to provide precise cooling without the size and mechanical complexity of conventional compressor-based equipment.
contegomedical.com
Contego Medical is a Raleigh, North Carolina medical-device company developing integrated, multifunctional products for carotid and peripheral vascular procedures. Its portfolio includes systems that combine treatment with embolic protection as well as peripheral thrombectomy devices. The company's approach is intended to capture debris during a procedure without requiring a separate protection device.
leghorninvestments.com
Leghorn Investments originated at Tidewater as a financing vehicle providing subordinated debt for poultry farm operations throughout the United States. Each farm project is sourced and underwritten by Live Oak Bank's agriculture team, with Live Oak providing senior financing, Leghorn providing a portion of the junior capital, and the individual farmer contributing equity. Leghorn was subsequently spun out and is no longer managed by Tidewater.
opus-medical.com
Opus Medical Therapies is a medical-device company formed to develop transcatheter mitral- and tricuspid-valve replacement technologies. These systems were designed to replace malfunctioning heart valves through a catheter-based procedure rather than open-heart surgery.
W. Merrette Moore
Merrette Moore is the founder and Managing Partner of Tidewater Investment Company and oversees the firm's investment and operating activities. He has more than 25 years of experience in finance, investment management, healthcare, technology, and private-company leadership. Earlier in his career, he worked with Wachovia, Franklin Street Partners, UNC Rex Healthcare, and MCNC.
His private-company investing experience includes work with NC IDEA and IDEA Fund Partners. Over the past 20 years, Merrette has been involved in more than 50 private investments and has served as the lead investment representative on many of those transactions. He has worked with privately held companies as an executive chairman, director, and board observer.
Merrette currently serves as Executive Chairman of South Atlantic Contract Packaging and Technical Coating International. He received both his undergraduate degree and MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lives in Wilmington, North Carolina. Outside of work, he plays pickleball, writes novels, and follows UNC athletics.
Advisory Network
Tidewater's advisory network includes current and former business operators, executives, and investors. Advisors provide perspective relevant to a particular company or opportunity; their involvement varies by investment.
Contact
910.250.9133
232 Causeway Drive, Suite 1C
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480