Nomad Finds a Home at Urban Armor Gear

Urban Armor Gear, a portfolio company of HKW since August 2018, has acquired Nomad Goods, a designer and manufacturer of smartphone and smartwatch accessories.

Nomad’s products include charging cables, wireless chargers and protective cases, including Base Station wireless charging hubs used to power multiple devices simultaneously; Horween leather iPhone cases; and Sport Bands for smartwatches. The company’s products are sold primarily through a direct-to-consumer channel via the company’s website, alongside selective wholesale distribution. Nomad, founded in 2012 by CEO Noah Dentzel and COO Brian Hahn, is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California.

Urban Armor Gear (UAG) designs and sells protective accessories for consumer electronics, with a primary focus on mobile devices. The company’s core products include rugged smartphone cases engineered to protect devices from drops and impact, tablet and laptop sleeves designed for portability and protection, and portable power accessories such as battery packs and charging gear.



The company distributes its products through both retail channels and online platforms, combining direct-to-consumer sales with wholesale partnerships. The company, led by CEO Scott Hardy, was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

[caption id="attachment_236565" align="alignright" width="120"] Scott Hardy[/caption]

“For years we’ve admired the Nomad brand and their commitment to product quality and extremely strong DTC presence,” said Mr. Hardy. “Over the past few years, it became very clear to us that combining the strengths of Nomad with the global operational capabilities of Urban Armor will potentially allow Nomad to reach its full potential and be a natural fit. The team is extremely excited for this merger.”

HKW invests in North America-based companies in the manufacturing, distribution and business services sectors that have EBITDA between $5 million and $30 million. HKW’s latest fund, HKW Capital Partners VI LP, closed in 2021 with $365 million in committed capital. The firm was founded in 1903 by Paul Hammond and is headquartered in Indianapolis, with an additional office in New York City.