Safeguard your legacy.
Sell your business to a fellow entrepreneur.
A fresh approach
Entrepreneurs
Our approach is designed and led by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. Post-acquisition, one of us will operate your business full-time for years to come. After all, operating great businesses is what we love to do.
Legacy
We buy great businesses to keep them great. We have no intention to rebrand, relocate, close down, or gut the businesses we acquire. We appreciate the importance of legacy, and we aim to be good caretakers of that legacy.
Patient capital
Our investors are well-capitalized family offices and individuals who understand the world of SMEs. They back entrepreneurs like us to buy and operate promising businesses. The ideal holding period? Forever.
Industry
We generally like straightforward businesses in asset-light service industries, preferably business-to-business (B2B).
Size
A business generating $1.5 - 6 million EBITDA is right in our sweet spot. This usually means $5 - 50 million in sales.
Team
Our solution makes a lot of sense for the retiring owner-operator with a management team willing to stay on.
Recent acquisitions: TWS Energy Controls &
WF Energy Controls
Jason grew up in a family of small business owners, instilling in him a passion for entrepreneurship. This passion has manifested throughout his career as both an operator and investor in high-growth companies, culminating in a partnership with SMEVentures to search for a business to acquire and operate as CEO.
In July 2024, Jason acquired not one, but two thriving energy control businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Taking the helm as CEO of TWS Energy Controls and WF Energy Controls, Jason's acquisition marks SMEVentures' first venture into New Zealand and a significant milestone as the country's second-ever search fund acquisition.
With the increasing demand for electrification, renewable energy investment, and high-quality local manufacturing, the future looks bright for these companies under Jason’s stewardship.
Past acquisitions: eMerge IT
In 2023, Steve Orell, an accomplished Duke MBA, tech founder, and finance leader, partnered with SMEVentures to acquire eMerge IT, stepping in as its full-time CEO. With a history of leading and inspiring teams across various high-impact roles, Steve's diverse expertise and humble leadership are now driving eMerge IT forward. His background as a co-founder and in finance positions him uniquely to lead the company towards new achievements in the IT sector, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit and analytical decision-making that distinguish him in the field.
Past acquisitions: Grima Recycling
In partnership with SMEVentures, distinguished army veteran and INSEAD MBA Ryan Bernsmann acquired Grima Recycling, taking the helm as its full-time CEO. His journey from commanding military operations to spearheading a Fortune 500 company's investment portfolio sets him apart as a dynamic leader. Now, as the CEO of Grima Recycling, Ryan is applying his extensive experience in leadership, project management, and value-driven operations to continue the company's legacy of excellence in the recycling industry.
Past acquisitions: ACE Training & MultiSkills Training
Rob Gaunt's entrepreneurial journey led him from South Africa to becoming the CEO and owner of ACE Training and MultiSkills Training in Victoria, Australia. After immigrating at age eight, he embarked on a career that culminated in leadership roles across continents, including CEO of Marine Rescue Technologies in the UK. Acquiring ACE Training in 2021 and MultiSkills Training in 2022 through a partnership with SMEVentures, Rob has positioned his enterprises as the leading providers of civil construction training in the region, showcasing his commitment to excellence and innovation in vocational education.
Abdy Mohamed
Abdy's entrepreneurial journey began in his youth, managing his uncle's bakery in Somalia as a teenager. This early experience ignited a passion for business that led him to build an impressive career in Australia's health insurance sector, where he spearheaded product launches, drove significant profit growth, and managed a A$700 million product portfolio.
Now, equipped with this experience and his MBA, Abdy is partnering with SMEVentures to acquire and lead a business poised for growth, leveraging his expertise to create lasting value.
abdy@smeventures.co | +61 488 861 048
Kylie Wright
Kylie is an Oxford MBA and a proven C-suite executive with over 15 years of experience successfully leading high-growth, tech-enabled businesses. She has excelled in a wide range of roles, from building high-performing sales teams to leading complex operational turnarounds and guiding companies through successful exits. This breadth of experience has equipped her with the strategic thinking, leadership skills, and operational prowess needed to create enduring value in a small business.
Kylie has now partnered with SMEVentures to search for a business to acquire and lead as CEO.
kylie@smeventures.co | +61 482 091 317
Stijn De Vriendt
Stijn is a seasoned strategy executive and entrepreneur with extensive experience driving growth and transformation for businesses of all sizes. He honed his skills at Accenture, leading multi-million dollar projects for global corporations, before co-founding and scaling a boutique consulting firm that he successfully exited in 2023.
Now, Stijn is partnering with SMEVentures to acquire and lead a company where he can apply his strategic acumen, operational expertise, and passion for building enduring businesses.
stijn@smeventures.co | +61 488 859 715
Fewer than 15% of family businesses in Australia have a formal succession plan.
— KPMG 2021 Family Business Survey
Let’s talk.
Perhaps you’re ready to retire or simply move on to your next project. Either way, it would be great to hear from you and see whether there’s a fit.
hello@smeventures.com
+61 (0)280 114 183