Sands Point Risk has acquired Launch Environmental Underwriters, a specialist environmental liability MGA.
The deal is described as the largest acquisition in Sands Point's history and pushes the platform's combined gross written premium above $250 million. It follows Sands Point's purchase of BRM Specialty Markets, a Philadelphia-based medical stop-loss managing general underwriter, in July 2025.
Launch Environmental focuses on complex environmental liability risks across the energy, infrastructure, construction, chemical, M&A and industrial sectors. The company will serve as the foundation of Sands Point's environmental pratice. It also said it is launching new programs in political violence and terrorism, aviation, and D&O liability, broadening its program offerings alongside the environmental acquisition.
Sands Point was launched in 2024 by a team of former DUAL executives, led by CEO Dennis Kearns, who founded the transaction risk program at DUAL. Avesi Partners, an MGA backing Sands Point, has set its sights on building a $1 billion premium platform within approximately three years, targeting two to three acquisitions annually with deal valuations typically ranging from $5 million to $50 million.
The deal is part of a pronounced trend of private equity capital flowing into specialty MGA platforms across the US insurance market. M&A of and among MGAs have been increasing in number and size, with carriers and private equity both accelerating their participation, particularly as US firms have extended their reach internationally.
Recent examples illustrate the pace of activity. In February, Vistria Group acquired Dallas-based MGA Lumen Holdings, establishing it as a new platform investment within its financial services strategy. Meanwhile, Ryan Specialty completed its acquisition of Stewart Risk Underwriting in late 2025, following its earlier acquisition of 360° Underwriting in May of the same year.
The environmental liability segment, in particular, is attracting attention. Analysts anticipate that the global environmental liability insurance market is projected to grow from $7.47 billion in 2024 to $14.08 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate of about 8.2%. North America accounts for approximately 45% of all new environmental liability insurance policies, with manufacturing and energy clients representing the dominant sources of demand.
Acquirers are seeking economies of scale and technology, and where they have a technology advantage, they are seeking new markets in which to apply it. The global specialty insurance market
Monroe Capital acted as sole lead arranger and administrative agent on the senior credit facility supporting the transaction. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed.
