Genesis Park Invests in Star Step Preformance Coatings Group

HOUSTON, TX (October 28, 2026) - Genesis Park, through its investment funds, GP Capital Partners, LP and GP Capital Partners II, LP, is pleased to announce its recent investment in Star Step Performance Coatings Group ("Star Step," or the "Company"). Star Step is an operator-led platform of industrial, specialty, and architectural coatings businesses serving manufacturing, industrial, commercial, and infrastructure end markets. Genesis Park made a debt and equity investment to refinance the Company's existing indebtedness and provide capital to complete add-on acquisitions.

Founded in March 2024 through an initial platform acquisition, Star Step operates four manufacturing facilities and six distribution facilities. The platform comprises five operating businesses: Trinkote Industrial Finishes, Richard's Paint, Alta Paints & Coatings, Royal Powder, and Daas & Chemicals. Collectively, the businesses provide deep expertise across industrial liquid and powder coatings, OEM finishes, industrial wood coatings, resinous flooring systems, and architectural coatings, serving a diverse set of customers and end markets, including industrial equipment, metal fabrication, material handling, logistics, commercial construction, and infrastructure, among others.

Star Step is led by Founder and CEO, Viktor Sekmakas, and Co-Founder and COO, Roger Young, who together bring more than 50 years of combined coatings industry experience, including more than 15 years working alongside each other in senior leadership roles at PPG Industries. Viktor and Roger are supported by a deep and talented management team. Together, the management team has built Star Step into a scaled, multi-segment coatings platform through disciplined acquisitions and operational improvement.

"We are thrilled to begin our partnership with Genesis Park. Since forming Star Step, our team has brought together a group of outstanding coatings businesses with long-tenured customer relationships and deep technical expertise. Genesis Park's capital strengthens our balance sheet and positions us to continue executing on our acquisition strategy. Beyond capital, Genesis Park brings strategic guidance and relationships that will support our next phase of growth," said Viktor Sekmakas, Founder and CEO of Star Step.

Curtis Hartman, Managing Partner of Genesis Park, said, "Star Step presented an opportunity to invest alongside a highly experienced management team building a differentiated platform in a large, fragmented industry. Viktor, Roger, and the Star Step team have assembled a portfolio of specification-driven businesses centered around technical expertise, quality, and customer service. We are culturally aligned and excited to partner with the Company as it continues to grow."

About Star Step Performance Coatings Group

Founded in 2024, Star Step Performance Coatings Group is a diversified coatings platform serving manufacturing, industrial, specialty, and architectural markets. Through its portfolio of operating companies, including Trinkote Industrial Finishes, Richard's Paint, Alta Paints & Coatings, Royal Powder, and Daas & Chemicals, Star Step provides industrial liquid and powder coatings, industrial wood coatings, resinous flooring systems, architectural paints, and custom-formulated solutions for metal, concrete, masonry, wood, and other specialty substrates. Star Step operates four manufacturing facilities and six distribution facilities. For more information, visit www.starsteppcg.com.

About Genesis Park

Genesis Park is a Houston-based private investment firm. Its investment funds, GP Capital Partners, LP and GP Capital Partners II, LP, are licensed as Small Business Investment Companies ("SBICs") by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Genesis Park supports growth and later-stage lower-middle-market businesses through flexible debt and equity capital solutions and strategic guidance. Genesis Park generally targets companies with at least $10 million of revenue and $3 million of EBITDA, with proven business models and seasoned management teams. Managed by three experienced investment professionals with broad regional relationships, Genesis Park is committed to partnering with the companies and management teams in which it invests to facilitate growth, transition, and success. For more information, visit www.genesis-park.com.