Additional Sessions (required sign-up)
Join the Women’s Search Network (WSN) in partnership with the ETA Clubs of LBS and IESE for a Women in Search Breakfast on March 28, 2025 (7:30-9:00 AM) at Sussex Place, ahead of the LBS Search Fund Conference. Enjoy a Q&A with active female searchers and a valuable networking opportunity to connect with women in the search fund ecosystem. Don’t miss it!
The Women’s Search Network (WSN) is excited to work in partnership with the ETA Clubs of LBS and IESE to host a women in search breakfast on 28th March 2025 7:30-9:00am at Sussex Place, ahead of the LBS Search Fund Conference. The breakfast will feature a short Q&A with active female searchers, followed by a valuable networking opportunity to bring together women in the search fund ecosystem.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow searchers and investors over breakfast!
Main Event
This panel will compare traditional and self-funded search models in ETA, discussing their pros and cons, key challenges, and success strategies. Panelists will also share investor perspectives on risk, returns, and searcher alignment.
Panel Overview
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) offers aspiring business owners multiple pathways to success, with Traditional and Self-Funded search models standing out as two primary approaches. This panel will provide an in-depth comparison of these models, examining the trade-offs, challenges, and benefits associated with each.
Our esteemed panelists, each with first-hand experience navigating the ETA landscape, will share insights into why they chose their respective paths, the key hurdles they faced, and the strategies that led them to success. From financing structures and investor relationships to autonomy and risk management, this session will provide a comprehensive perspective on what it takes to embark on an ETA journey. Additionally, investors will offer their views on how they evaluate traditional and self-funded searchers, including key factors that influence their investment decisions.
Panelists
- Moderator: Simon Webster – Seasoned investor, ETA professor at LBS, and former traditional search fund entrepreneur (RSL Steeper)
- Panelist 1: Marc Bartomeus – Albira Investments, former traditional search fund entrepreneur (Repli)
- Panelist 2: Paul Quirk – Investor @ Citium Capital, CEO @ Amber Home Improvements
- Panelist 3: Emmanuel Lawal – CEO @ Harlow Solutions, Traditional Searcher
This panel promises to deliver valuable insights for anyone considering ETA, whether through a traditional search fund or a self-funded approach. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and key factors that define each model, helping them make informed decisions about their own entrepreneurial journey.
Panel Overview
The ETA landscape across Europe presents unique opportunities and challenges, depending on whether one operates in an established market (e.g., UK, Germany, France, Spain) or an emerging one (e.g., Central and Eastern Europe, Baltics, Balkans). This panel will explore the key factors that influence ETA strategies across these regions, including regulatory environments, sector opportunities, deal execution timelines, and capital availability.
With insights from experienced investors, searchers, and CEOs, this discussion will provide a comparative perspective on the evolving European ETA ecosystem. Panelists will share their first-hand experiences navigating different markets, highlighting what makes a region attractive for acquisition and how ETA strategies vary between developed and emerging economies.
Panelists
- Moderator: Simon Bores – Investor at Istria Capital (Europe)
- Panelist 1: Adam Johnson – CEO at Water Direct (UK)
- Panelist 2: Leonardo Carvalho – Co-CEO at TECLENAJUNCOR (Portugal)
- Panelist 3: Marek Jakubow – COO at SINGU (Poland)
- Panelist 4: Cecilia Lopez – Searcher, Gaman Succession (Spain, France & UK)
Additional Sessions (required sign-up)
Creating a Win-Win: Putting Yourself in the Seller’s Shoes
This session explores why understanding the seller’s perspective is crucial for closing a successful ETA transaction. Through real-world case studies, experts will discuss key seller motivations, trust-building strategies, and deal structuring best practices to create win-win outcomes.
Creating a Win-Win: Putting Yourself in the Seller’s Shoes
Successfully closing a search fund acquisition requires a deep understanding of the seller’s motivations, concerns, and decision-making process. This session will explore two real-world case studies, highlighting why seeing the deal from the seller’s perspective is key to getting a transaction done. Experts will share insights on building trust, structuring deals that align with seller priorities, and navigating negotiations effectively. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to create win-win outcomes and increase their chances of a successful acquisition.
Main Event
This panel will provide actionable insights into how searchers and operators can harness technology to drive efficiency, improve deal flow, and create value in their acquisitions.
Panel Overview
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the ETA journey, from deal origination to post-acquisition management. This panel will explore how searchers can leverage technology to optimize every stage of their process—evaluating the best tech stack options, assessing key tools, and utilizing data-driven insights to enhance decision-making.
Our panelists, including investors and experienced searchers, will share best practices and real-world experiences in integrating technology into their search strategies. They will discuss tools for CRM and pipeline management, AI and automation for deal sourcing, due diligence software, and technology-driven operational improvements post-acquisition.
Panelists
- Moderator: Mauro Buono – Investor, JB46 (Europe)
- Panelist 1: Ivan Peña – Investor, Relay Investments (Europe)
- Panelist 2: Nick Hodgson – Searcher, Tinto Hill (UK)
- Panelist 3: Will Sarjant – Searcher, Successr Capital (UK)
This panel will provide actionable strategies for operating at a high level of efficiency, managing growth, and fostering operational excellence in a post-acquisition environment.
Panel Overview
Operational excellence is a key driver of long-term success in businesses, especially for search-acquired companies. This panel will delve into the insights and strategies that senior executives—C-suite leaders—use to foster a culture of operational excellence. The discussion will focus on the key levers that CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite executives utilize to scale, streamline operations, and drive value creation post-acquisition.
Our esteemed panelists, all with vast C-suite experience, will share their expertise on optimizing operations, leading change initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and maintaining strong financial discipline in a growing company. Additionally, they will discuss the challenges and best practices in aligning operational strategies with broader business goals and investor expectations.
Panelists
Moderator: Jan Simon – Investor, Vonzeo Capital, IESE Faculty
Panelist 1: Andrew Holgate – CEO at Jaama Ltd
Panelist 2: Daniel Potgieter – Director at Arven Capital Partners
Panelist 3: Bruno Lea – Président chez Haas France & Spain
Panelist 4: Michael Roberts – CEO at 2020 Innovation Training Limited
This panel will provide valuable perspectives on the essential skills and strategies for transitioning from searcher to CEO, ensuring operational excellence, and fostering strong relationships with investors and stakeholders.
Panel Overview
Stepping into the CEO role of a search-acquired business presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. This panel will explore the critical leadership skills, operational strategies, and mindset shifts required for long-term success. Panelists will discuss building high-performing teams, driving EBITDA growth, engaging effectively with investors, and navigating the transition from searcher to operator.
Our panelists, including seasoned investors and experienced operators, will share insights on overcoming early CEO challenges, executing strategic initiatives, and building a sustainable and thriving business.
Panelists
- Moderator: Matthias Knaur – Relay Investments (Investor)
- Panelist 1: Jose Martin Cabiedes – Cabiedes & Partners (Investor)
- Panelist 2: Mark McKenzie – Operating Partner, Relay Investments
- Panelist 3: Joachim de Belgique – Innesto Partners (Investor)