Unlock Opportunity in U.S. Small Caps
At Polen Capital, we believe that long-term outperformance comes from identifying and investing in exceptional businesses — no matter their size. Our U.S. Small Cap Growth strategy is designed to harness the growth potential of innovative companies poised to benefit from secular trends and that we feel are positioned to become tomorrow’s market leaders.
Today’s growth leadership is concentrated in a few mega-caps, leaving many investors highly concentrated. Combined with a rate backdrop that historically favors small cap, we believe secular themes such as AI, electrification, and commercial aerospace rebuilds create long runways for select small caps when vetted through fundamentals and timing signals.
The Polen Difference
We believe change comes first, earnings inflections follow, and stock prices reflect that over time. Our multi-lens approach helps us find the most attractive opportunities in the small cap space.
Fundamentals
Know what you own.
Themes
See the growth runway.
Technicals
Harness market psychology.
Process with Perspective
We believe results are not the product of chance. They come from a combination of deep experience, rigorous discipline, and collaborative energy.
Our differentiated approach is clear in our results. Over the past ten years, the strategy has delivered a gross alpha above the Russell 2000® Growth Index, and clients have benefited from both outperformance in positive markets and resilience during challenging periods.
Recent Thought Capital

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Polen Capital Management, LLC is an independent registered investment advisor.
All metrics are calculated in U.S. Dollars. Performance shown represents results achieved at prior firms. The Polen U.S. Small Cap Growth strategy (the “Strategy”) began in November 2000 and was managed by Cupps Capital until October 2016 at which time it was transitioned to Advisory Research Investment Management. In March 2024, it transitioned to Bosun Asset Management, and subsequently in June 2025, it transitioned to Polen Capital. Andrew Cupps has served as the portfolio manager of the Strategy since inception. Mr. Cupps has been supported in his role as portfolio manager by various individuals, including Kevin Leitner and Chris Bush. Mr. Leitner has worked on the Strategy since inception. Mr. Bush began working on the Strategy in 2007. At all times during his tenure as portfolio manager, Mr. Cupps has had ultimate decision-making authority with respect to the Strategy. Mr. Cupps, Mr. Leitner and Mr. Bush joined Polen Capital on June 30, 2025. Performance results presented in materials prior to June 30, 2025 reflecting the same name (i.e., the Polen U.S. Small Cap Growth strategy) were achieved by a team that is no longer with Polen Capital. Past performance does not guarantee future results. For Financial Professional Use Only.
The Russell 2000® Growth Index is a market capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small to mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes Russell 2000TM companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The index is maintained by the FTSE Russell, a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group. It is impossible to invest directly in an index. The performance of an index does not reflect any transaction costs, management fees, or taxes.
Definitions:
Alpha: A measure of the difference between a portfolio’s actual returns and its expected performance, given its level of risk as measured by beta.
Upside Capture: Upside Capture Ratio is a measure of the manager’s performance in periods when the market (benchmark) goes up. Upside Capture Ratio measures a manager's performance in up markets relative to the market (benchmark) itself. The ratio is calculated by comparing the manager's returns in up-markets with that of a benchmark index.
Downside Capture: Downside Capture Ratio measures manager's performance in down markets. The ratio is calculated by dividing the manager's returns by the returns of the index during the down-market and multiplying that factor by 100. It is used to evaluate how well an investment manager performed relative to an index during periods when that index has dropped.
This information has been prepared by Polen Capital without taking into account individual objectives, financial situations or needs. As such, it is for informational purposes only and is not to be relied on as, legal, tax, business, investment, accounting, or any other advice. Recipients should seek their own independent financial advice. Investing involves inherent risks, and any particular investment is not suitable for all investors; there is always a risk of losing part or all of your invested capital.
No statement herein should be interpreted as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security (including, but not limited to, any investment vehicle or separate account managed by Polen Capital). This information is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.
Unless otherwise stated, any statements and/or information contained herein is as of the date represented above, and the receipt of this information at any time thereafter will not create any implication that the information and/or statements are made as of any subsequent date. Certain information contained herein is derived from third parties beyond Polen Capital's control or verification and involves significant elements of subjective judgment and analysis. While efforts have been made to ensure the quality and reliability of the information herein, there may be limitations, inaccuracies, or new developments that could impact the accuracy of such information. Therefore, the information contained herein is not guaranteed to be accurate or timely and does not claim to be complete. Polen Capital reserves the right to supplement or amend this content at any time but has no obligation to provide the recipient with any supplemental, amended, replacement or additional information.
Any statements made by Polen Capital regarding future events or expectations are forward-looking statements and are based on current assumptions and expectations. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are not a reliable indicator of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied.
There is no assurance that any securities discussed herein are currently held in a Polen Capital portfolio nor that they are representative of the entire portfolio in which they are or were held. It should not be assumed that any transactions related to the securities discussed herein were (or will prove to be) profitable or that any future transactions will equal the investment performance of the securities discussed herein.
References to specific securities, asset classes and financial markets are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as, recommendations.
This information may not be redistributed and/or reproduced without the prior written permission of Polen Capital.