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What we do

We are an independent sponsor providing succession solutions for family-owned businesses to help them grow faster, perform better, and reinforce their legacy

Spring Mountain
Mountains in Fog
Pine Tree
Foggy Forest
Forest Aerial View

We invest in high-quality businesses across a range of industries

Businesses with a strong following amongst their customers and employees excite us

We are long-term oriented, and our objective is to grow the businesses we invest in

We inspire ambition and pace with experience, expertise, and energy

We focus on a small portfolio which enables us to develop a deep understanding

We deliver a smooth ownership transition and provide hands-on support to the  management team

We look to develop the senior management team from within the organisation

We provide significant support, opportunity, and potential rewards for the broader team

​We build upon the existing strategy, plans, and strengths of the business

We draw on our value creation expertise to accelerate, augment, reinforce, and de-risk these plans

We operate as an independent sponsor

Our investment model is built around flexibility, alignment, and close collaboration with our investors. Unlike traditional private equity funds, we do not manage a “blind pool” of capital. Instead, we source and evaluate investment opportunities on a deal-by-deal basis, presenting them directly to our investor network.

This independent sponsor model allows us to remain nimble and focus on high-quality transactions at a scale where opportunities are significant but traditional private equity cannot play. We can also structure each investment with the goals of our investors firmly in mind.

 

By maintaining a lean, specialized team and being focused on a very narrow portfolio, we ensure our interests are fully aligned, generating value through disciplined due diligence, hands-on operational support, and long-term strategic vision.

Already well-established in the United States, the independent sponsor model has several advantages over traditional lower-mid-market private equity funds:

  • Customized, deal-by-deal approach: no “blind pool” of capital — investors choose which deals to participate in and have the opportunity to vet, understand, and commit to specific investments based on their own risk/return profile.​

  • Alignment of interests: success-based compensation rather than fixed management fees reinforces the focus on performance and results.

  • Strong and direct relationships with investors: transparent communication, close collaboration, and a more personal service than larger, institutional private equity firms.

  • Flexibility and independence: the ability to source and structure deals without the constraints of a traditional fund allows us to move quickly, adapt to changing market conditions, and customize deal structures to meet investor preferences.

  • Focus: a smaller number of total investments will enable us to focus our resources on delivering the full potential of each investment.

  • Deep operational expertise: hands-on operational involvement with portfolio companies by the principals accelerates value creation and growth and the ability to identify opportunities where a hands-on, customized approach can unlock hidden or under-realized value.​

  • A fit-for-purpose model for the lower mid-market: true focus on delivering on often off-market or proprietary investments that are individually too sub-scale for traditional private equity and without the need to build a large fund or the distraction of a fee-driven model.

As independent sponsors, we can be nimbler and are personally more engaged in each deal than many traditional private equity funds are.

Gravel Road into the Forest

Our Model

Meditating in Mountains

Our Playbook

1 / We focus on what we’re good at

Our investment strategy is a testament to our extensive experience and proven track record. We bring over three decades of experience in private equity investing, operational value creation, and board-level leadership. Collectively, we have managed investments exceeding hundreds of millions in capital, delivering exceptional returns from delivering transformational growth

 

The sectors we specialise in are areas where our proven track record and deep market insights set us apart. We leverage our deep understanding of due diligence, investment execution, and operational value creation in every investment. Our experience in strategic planning, team building, and financial management allows us to work closely with portfolio companies to unlock their full potential and create lasting value. This foundation of expertise ensures that we deliver results that align with our commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth

2 / We are locals in all markets we invest in

Our approach is rooted in being deeply connected to the markets we operate in, which is critical to identifying the best opportunities and building trust with stakeholders. Our team is comprised of residents and nationals from the German speaking region, the UK, and Spain, and much of our track record as investors stems from there. In each of those three markets, we maintain strong relationships with local advisors, networks, and communities, enabling us to navigate cultural and regulatory nuances effectively

 

Being “local” isn’t just geographical; it’s about understanding the unique dynamics of each region, spanning customer behaviours, corporate cultures, and the legal systems. This insight allows us to craft strategies that resonate with local needs while staying aligned with our global objectives. By being embedded in the markets we invest in, we ensure every decision is informed, relevant, and impactful

3 / We are forensic in our due diligence

Our diligence process is rigorous and data-driven. Before committing to an investment, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation that is grounded in decades of blue-chip investing experience. However, we are also cognizant of the reality of the scale and nature of the businesses we invest in and take an approach that is pragmatic in how it focuses on what drives or may carry downside. This meticulous approach helps us uncover risks, identify growth opportunities, and develop tailored value-creation plans that the business is aligned with well before we invest

 

Our goal is to understand not just where a company stands today, but its true potential for the future. By being forensic in our diligence, we mitigate risks and position our investments for long-term success, and from the outset, we know we’re working with true transformation potential

4 / Our DNA is in driving growth and value

Growth and value creation are at the heart of everything we do. Our approach goes beyond financial engineering; we focus on building stronger, more resilient businesses. Across our team, we spent the majority of our careers either as executives in small and mid-sized businesses or working closely with management teams to enhance operational efficiency, expand market reach, and develop innovative strategies that unlock potential

 

Our value-creation strategies include:

  • Aligning leadership capabilities and culture to an increased level of performance

  • Identifying and executing growth initiatives that strengthen the strategic positioning of the business

  • Focusing on efficiencies and a bootstrapping mentality to unlock investment capacity for future growth

  • Developing differentiated capabilities through digitisation and leveraging data and technology

  • Identifying, acquiring, and integrating complementary businesses to enhance efficiency, expand market reach, and unlock scalability

 

This growth-focused DNA ensures that our investments not only thrive but also create lasting value for all stakeholders. By embedding ourselves in the journey of transformation, we achieve results that stand the test of time

Mountain Lake

About Us

We bring more than thirty years of experience investing 
in and operating businesses in the European mid-market

Our track record in the European Mid-market

>€400m

of capital successfully invested

>35 years

of experience investing in
and operating businesses 

>10

businesses operationally and strategically improved
as a shareholder

>10

transactions closed
as a shareholder

Mountain Range
Investments map

Our Investment Reach

We have extensive experience of investing and operating across key European geographies, multiple sectors, and in expanding businesses internationally

 

We are particularly well-placed to help European companies deliver on their global ambitions and provide the experience needed to navigate cross-border expansion

We operate out of London and Frankfurt

We have the experience and relationships to navigate the complexity of the various European markets

We are an international and multi-lingual team and act local wherever we operate.

Address

Frankfurt
London

Email

Contact Us

© 2025 by Valerna

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