Ignacio Olavarría
Co-founder and Partner at Istria
Ignacio co-founded Istria in 2016, one of Europe's first platforms dedicated to Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition. Before venturing into the ETA world, he worked for 15 years in management consulting, supporting companies with commercial due diligence, business development, and go-to-market strategies. Today, he sits on the boards of several companies acquired through search funds and mentors entrepreneurs in multiple European markets.
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Simon Bores
Co-founder and Partner at Istria
Simón co-founded Istria in 2016, helping to create one of Europe’s first platforms dedicated to ETA. A lawyer, private investor, and second-generation owner of a family business, he brings direct experience in SME succession, governance, and long-term ownership. Today, he sits on the boards of several companies acquired through search funds and actively participates in the development of the European ecosystem.
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Niel Wyma
Co-founder and Partner at Ambit
Niel Wyma is a Partner at Ambit Partners, where he supports searchers and CEOs in Africa, Europe, and North America. He brings deep experience in lower middle market acquisitions, having analyzed thousands of companies, met hundreds of entrepreneurs, and closed numerous ETA deals. Originally from South Africa, he combines a very hands-on approach to dealmaking with a strong human focus on supporting entrepreneurs throughout the journey.
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Rob LeBlanc
Co-founder and Partner at Ambit
Rob LeBlanc is Managing Partner at Ambit Partners and is an experienced professional in private markets, boards, and the ETA world. Based in Vancouver, he works closely with searchers and CEOs in the Americas, Europe, and APAC, supporting them from opportunity evaluation to acquisition, through to governance and long-term value creation.
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Andrew Locke
Co-founder and Partner at Ambit
Andrew Locke is a Partner at Ambit Partners, where he leads much of the European activity and supports searchers and CEOs internationally. He combines analytical rigor, emerging markets experience, and direct operational work, including roles in private equity portfolio management and CEO responsibilities. He is an engaged board partner, working closely with entrepreneurs during the acquisition phase, initial management period, and the building of lasting companies.
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Joachim of Belgium
Managing Partner at Innesto
Joachim de Belgique is a Managing Partner at Innesto Partners. He brings a strong combination of financial and operational experience, gained in private equity at Clayton Dubilier & Rice, in family office investments at AtlasInvest, and in operational roles as Head of Sales and Marketing at New Southern Energy. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is currently an active partner for ETA entrepreneurs in Europe.
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Louise of Belgium
Vice President at Innesto
Luisa is Vice President at Innesto Partners and brings solid legal and transactional experience gained at international law firms such as Gibson Dunn & Crutcher and Sidley Austin. She has worked on private equity, growth equity, M&A, IPOs, and cross-border transactions, developing relevant expertise in acquisition processes, legal documentation, and transaction execution.
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Felipe Corcuera
Partner at Innesto
Felipe Corcuera is a Partner at Innesto Partners and an experienced professional with a background as a search fund investor, searcher, and operator. Before joining Innesto, he was a Vice President at Relay Investments, where he analyzed hundreds of search funds and acquisitions, supporting dozens of entrepreneurs in Europe and internationally. He subsequently launched his own search fund in the United States and acquired Beecker.ai, gaining direct experience across the entire ETA journey.
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Jo Cockburn
Founding Partner at Orca
Jo is a Co-founder of Orca and has extensive experience in the ETA and growth sectors. Before launching Orca, she spent six years at Ethos Partners, where she led the firm's first search fund investment and co-founded Ethos Search Capital, the platform dedicated to acquisition entrepreneurs. Previously, she worked in growth equity software at One Peak Partners and in M&A investment banking at Perella Weinberg Partners in London.
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Pascal Wittet
Founding Partner at Orca
Pascal is co-founder of Orca and brings 14 years of private equity experience dedicated to SMEs, with a particular focus on businesses in succession. Prior to founding Orca, he invested with Ethos Partners and Connection Capital, sitting on the boards of over 10 companies. He began his career at PwC, is a Chartered Accountant, and holds an MBA from London Business School.
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Scott Bannerman
Founding Partner at Orca
Scott is Co-founder of Orca and is an experienced professional in SME investments, M&A and private equity. Before founding Orca, he spent six years at Ethos Partners, following a period in EY's M&A team. A Chartered Accountant by training, he brings a practical understanding of owner-managed businesses and the entrepreneurial journey, also thanks to his personal experience in family business settings.
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Sandy Farmer
Founding Partner at Orca
Sandy is the Co-founder of Orca and has spent over 14 years investing in and operating SMEs, with a focus on owner-managed businesses and succession situations. Previously, she co-founded Ethos Partners, held senior roles in private equity-backed growth companies, and invested with Canter Equity Partners. She began her career at Kearney and holds an MBA from London Business School.
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Nicolas Rudzki
Co-founder and Managing Partner at Valmaris
Nicolas Rudzki is Co-founder and Managing Partner of Valmaris Private Investors, a group founded by entrepreneurs that supports searchers and operators in Europe. Previously, he led a family office as Managing Director, focusing on investments in succession situations and search funds. He actively supports CEOs and entrepreneurs as a board member and advisor, particularly on financing and acquisition matters.
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Herbert Doleisch
Co-founder and Partner at Valmaris
Herbert Doleisch is a Partner at Triton Partners, a leading European private equity firm, where he focuses on industrial technology. He is also active in the search fund ecosystem and part of Valmaris Private Investors, a group founded by entrepreneurs that supports searchers and operators in Europe.
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Thomas Bühler
Co-founder and Partner at Valmaris
Dr. Thomas Bühler is one of Europe's most experienced professionals in the search fund world, with a consolidated track record in succession-focused private equity. He is co-founder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Afinum Management, co-founder of Rigeto, and has supported search funds through Agirax and Valmaris Private Investors.
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Jan Woitschätzke
Co-founder and Partner at Valmaris
Jan Woitschätzke is an experienced professional in the world of search funds and advisory. He is currently Managing Director at Mistral Consulting and Senior Advisor at Vonzeo Capital. He is also part of Valmaris Private Investors, a group founded by entrepreneurs that supports searchers and operators in Europe.
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Marc Bartomeus
Search fund entrepreneur and advocate
Marc Bartomeus is one of the pioneers of the search fund model in Europe. He founded Ariol Capital, considered the first Spanish search fund, through which he acquired and led Repli and subsequently Pentapackaging in Italy, completing a successful exit in 2020. Today, he supports ETA entrepreneurs in various European markets.
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José María Clotet
Entrepreneur and advocate
José María Clotet is an entrepreneur, operator, and proponent of the search fund world. He was the General Manager and CEO of Promax Electronics / PROMAX Test & Measurement for several decades and played a key role in the first search fund acquisition in Spain.
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Paolo Guida
Partner at Eureka
Paolo Guida is an Italian professional with experience in strategic consulting, investment banking, private equity, venture capital, and angel investing. A Bocconi graduate with an MBA from Chicago Booth, he has held roles at Lehman Brothers, Privet Capital, Eidos Capital, and Blockchain Valley Ventures. He was an early supporter of Tre Cime Capital, the first Italian search fund, and is currently an active figure in the Italian ETA ecosystem.
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Stefano Peroncini
CEO at Eureka
Stefano Peroncini is an Italian serial entrepreneur, company builder, and venture capital professional. He has promoted and managed several asset management companies and venture capital funds in Italy and abroad, including Quantica SGR, Principia Funds, and EUREKA! Venture SGR. He has built and supported companies from inception to growth, including EOS, a biotech startup sold to a US-listed company for $470 million.
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Giacomo Andreoli
Founder and Managing Partner at Search Capital Partners
Giacomo Andreoli is an Italian entrepreneur, operator, and professional with a background in M&A and finance. He acquired Confinvest S.p.A., served as its CEO, led the company's listing on Borsa Italiana, and subsequently sold his stake to an industrial group. He also founded the search fund W4H, which acquired OPT S.p.A., a healthcare-focused company where he now serves on the board.
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Luciano Avanzini
Managing Partner at Search Capital Partners
Luciano Avanzini is an Italian entrepreneur, corporate finance professional, and advisor. He is the Co-founder of DGPA, where he oversees M&A activities and assists national and multinational companies with complex corporate finance operations. With experience in industrial and real estate entrepreneurship, he also sits on the boards of several private companies, contributing expertise in governance, strategic development, and financial oversight.
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Massimiliano D’Amico
Partner at GDA Search
Massimiliano D’Amico is the Founder of BE COME, an advisory and investment firm that supports entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers. He brings over 20 years of experience in venture capital, startup financing, crowdfunding and impact investing, combining financial and legal expertise with a strong focus on entrepreneurship and value creation.
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León Bartolomé
Search fund supporter and investor
León Bartolomé is a professional with extensive experience in listed and private companies, real estate, and search funds. He is one of the most active and respected figures in the international search fund community and has served on several boards within the ecosystem. Previously, he founded and led BBVA & Partners A.V., an hedge fund management company.
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Till Bossert
CEO, search fund entrepreneur and investor
Till Bossert is an ETA entrepreneur, CEO, board member and active supporter of search funds. He co-led Kronos Kapital, the first search fund in Switzerland and Southern Germany, through which he acquired Herchenbach Industrial Buildings in 2015. Since then, he has led Herchenbach as CEO and supported European entrepreneurs with first-hand experience in acquisition, growth, and succession in SMEs.
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Alexander Kirn
CEO, search fund entrepreneur and investor
Alexander Kirn is a technology entrepreneur, CEO and one of the pioneers of the search fund model in Germany. In 2009 he launched Fleet Technology, the first German search fund, acquiring INVERS and LapID in 2012. Since then, he has continued to build and lead technology-enabled businesses and is now actively supporting entrepreneurs along the acquisition and management journey.
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Jürgen Rilling
Search fund mentor, board member and ETA entrepreneur
Jürgen Rilling is an entrepreneur, operator, and one of the first figures to promote the search fund model in Europe. In 2003, he acquired Grundig Business Systems with his business partner and subsequently became a mentor and active supporter of European search funds. Based in Munich, he has guided numerous entrepreneurs through the search, acquisition, and management phases.
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José Pablo Fernández
Search fund entrepreneur and investor
José Pablo Fernández is an ETA entrepreneur, operator, and search fund advocate. After earning his MBA from MIT Sloan, he co-founded Domo Capital, a Mexican search fund through which he acquired Aguafría, subsequently transforming it into Mexico's largest ice business via a buy-and-build strategy. Following the sale of Aguafría to Reddy Ice in 2024, he actively supports search funds, private equity, and venture-backed companies.
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Nicolás Selume
Imprenditore e investitore
Nicolás Selume is a Chilean entrepreneur, operator, and investor with extensive experience building and scaling companies in healthcare services. He was part of the founding team and CEO of Uno Salud Dental, helping to grow the company into one of the leading dental networks in Chile. He brings experience in entrepreneurship, growth, professionalization, and long-term value creation.
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Jacopo Mele
Co-founder at Moonstone
Jacopo Mele is CEO and Co-founder of Moonstone, an Italian venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups with the ambition to tackle major challenges for people and the planet. He brings experience in entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and venture investing, with a focus on supporting ambitious founders and high-impact companies.
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Chiara Castelli
Co-founder & Manager at Moonstone
Chiara Castelli is Co-founder, Dealflow Manager, and Board Member at Moonstone, where she is responsible for sourcing and supporting early-stage startups. She has experience in startup investing, corporate advisory, and innovation, with a focus on companies addressing significant challenges in sectors such as healthcare, deeptech, and climatetech.
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Vittorio Tatangelo
Manager at Moonstone
Vittorio Tatangelo is a Portfolio Manager at Moonstone, where he supports portfolio companies and works closely with founders throughout their growth journey. He brings experience in venture capital and portfolio management, with a focus on supporting early-stage startups and creating long-term impact.
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Richard Haymerle
Vice President at Istria
Richard joined Istria in 2025 after conducting entrepreneurial research in partnership in Austria and the DACH region. He previously worked in strategic consulting, focusing on operating model redesign, software, IT, and digitalization. He brings direct experience of the search process and supports entrepreneurs in the search, acquisition, and management phases.
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Nicolás Fernández de Cuevas Terán
Vice President at Istria
Nico moved to Istria in 2024, having spent over two years searching for a company to acquire in Spain. He brings more than 10 years of operational experience growing SaaS companies in sectors such as automotive, supply chain, and communications. Today, he supports searchers and entrepreneurs from the capital side, combining operational experience with direct knowledge of the search journey.
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Alexander Hansen
Search fund entrepreneur, CEO and investor
Alexander Hansen is a German entrepreneur, operator and advocate. Through Atlas Mittelstandsnachfolge, he acquired MediaKom GmbH & Co. KG, a German company specializing in business automation solutions, along with Christopher King in 2022. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, he worked at McKinsey and KPMG and earned an MBA from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management.
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Christoph Sehr
Search fund entrepreneur, CEO and investor
Christoph Sehr is a German entrepreneur and operator. Together with Jan Fritz, he founded Fritz & Sehr Mittelstandsnachfolge with the goal of acquiring and managing a German SME, later becoming Managing Director of Multi Service Gummersbach, a company that serves healthcare facilities, hospitals, senior living, and care facilities.
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Jan Fritz
Search fund entrepreneur, CEO and investor
Jan Fritz is a German entrepreneur and operator. Together with Christoph Sehr, he founded Fritz & Sehr Mittelstandsnachfolge with the aim of acquiring and sustainably leading a German SME, later becoming Managing Director of Multi Service Gummersbach.
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Christian Bopp
Imprenditore search fund, CEO e investitore
Christian Bopp is a German entrepreneur and operator in the ETA world. Together with Benny Hahn, he founded Bopp & Hahn Mittelstandspartner and acquired provantis IT Solutions, now ZEP, a software provider for time tracking, project controlling, and professional services automation, used by over 1,200 SME clients.
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Benny Hahn
Search fund entrepreneur, CEO and investor
Benny Hahn is a German entrepreneur and operator in the ETA space. Together with Christian Bopp, he founded Bopp & Hahn Mittelstandspartner and acquired provantis IT Solutions, now ZEP, a software business focused on time tracking, project controlling, and professional services automation for SMEs.
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Tommaso Romanelli
Imprenditore search fund, CEO e investitore
Tommaso Romanelli is an Italian entrepreneur and operator, among the first pioneers of the search fund model in Italy. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Tre Cime Capital and CEO of Orotig, bringing expertise in entrepreneurship, technology, renewable energy, and SME leadership.
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Guido Fileppo
Search fund entrepreneur, CEO and investor
Guido Fileppo is an Italian entrepreneur, operator, and search fund entrepreneur. He founded Patria Private Capital and acquired Farmoderm, where he serves as CEO, bringing expertise in management, operations, finance, and business process improvement. He earned an MBA from INSEAD and a Master's in Finance from the London School of Economics.
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Michele Ventura
Senior Counsel and search fund supporter
Michele Ventura is an Italian corporate lawyer and Senior Counsel at PedersoliGattai, where he focuses on Corporate M&A and Private Equity. He advises companies and entrepreneurs on corporate, M&A, private equity, and capital markets matters, bringing relevant legal expertise to Italian and international transactions.
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