Dear searchfunders,

The delegates have now returned to their respective searches after a good 2 days studying the search fund model. It was a pleasure for me to meet so many searchers and investors. I am pleased to have met a few wonderful people with whom I've started collaborating! Here are a few extracts from my notes from the first day. Please comment with your own learnings from that day and the following. How did the conference go for you?


  • "No now does not mean no never. Keep following up with your contacts, until their situation changes, and they are ready to sell 

  • Most of my deals are proprietary. I only use brokers for companies in a bad shape, but I try to avoid competition". (Alberto Betancourt, Colombia)

  • "Watch your behaviour during fundraising; investors will infer from that what kind of manager you will be. Having dinner with them is a great litmus test."

  • "Never compete with private equity"' (Dr Thomas Bühler)

  • "If you are searching outside the US, it's always good to have local investors, who can advise you, leverage their network, and actually be present at meetings. "

  • "Practice your dealmaking ability with broker deals"(Fernando Guillem)

  • "It's currently a seller's market, multiples are crazy right now" (Mark Egan)




PS : I'm organising a London monthly Mastermind for searchers, as well as a FAME (database) masterclass. Please join the London group to know more.