Niclas Neglen

Misalignment on exit expectations can lead to value-destroying friction between CEOs, boards, and investors. Regular exit talks - at least once a year -help to: •  clarify strategic objectives and align exit timing •  assess the business’s real value and define a compromise timeline •  review investment agreements and explore alternative exit strategies Regular and proactive exit talks foster trust, prevent wrong decisions, and maximize value for all stakeholders. Practical considerations for such exit talks are included in this article.  #ExitStrategy #ExitReadiness #BoardLeadership #CorporateGovernance https://lnkd.in/e-jsaJA7

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There are many untold success stories where PE has transformed undervalued and underperforming companies, generating substantial returns. In the UK, PE supported nearly 1,500 businesses in 2023, empowering management teams with long-term strategies and access to new markets. Unlike traditional public companies burdened by short-term profit pressures and regulatory demands, PE-backed firms focus on growth and operational improvements. This approach allows for streamlined decision-making and reinvestment in core strategies, fostering a culture of purpose and entrepreneurial innovation. PE's success lies in strategic clarity, operational focus, and a supportive partnership with management, contrasting with the constraints often faced by publicly traded companies. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/eEnYudDj The Times Richard Harpin Branded Hospitality Ventures #hospitality #restaurants #technology #finance Noah Stern Matthew Lerner Kim Karmitz Derrek Ross Tarek M.

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How to pay suppliers? Use your credit card to send checks. 😁 75% (!) of organisations still use paper checks in the US. We in Europe may laugh about it, but the d€ has some similarities. The currently discussed design of the d€ means that the payer uses the (commercial bank) money in his bank account to buy d€*, send it to a company, which must immediately convert it into (commercial bank) money on its bank account. *I assume here no one is holding any d€ in its wallet, as the d€ will not bear any interest. #payment #cdbc #digital€ #d€ #checks

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I couldn’t be prouder to be a Venture Partner at Isomer Capital (aka the best European FoF - at least for me) as we just announced the launch of our pioneering £100m secondaries fund. This fund is dedicated to acquiring stakes from LPs in various VC funds, tapping into a massive and largely unexplored market. 🌟 Key Highlights: - Focused Investment: Primarily targeting stakes in VC funds, with selective investments in private companies. - Robust Funding: Already over 20% funded, thanks to strong support from Nordic family offices and a German foundation. - Market Potential: With a growing number of private tech companies and a VC liquidity crunch, Europe's VC secondaries market is poised for rapid growth. - Track Record: This isn’t Isomer’s first foray into the secondaries market. As a firm we’ve done several secondaries deals with portfolio companies and VC firms, including early-stage VC Seedcamp (in 2021) and mobility giant Bolt (in 2023). - Expert Team: Welcoming the amazing Omolade (Rachel) A., formerly of Coller Capital, as a principal to lead this initiative. 💡 Investment Strategy: - 65-75% of the fund will buy "LP interest" stakes in VC funds. - 15-25% will be directed towards stakes in companies. - Up to 15% reserved for flexible investment opportunities. 📈 Looking Ahead: We're targeting returns of 2-3x, with significant distributions expected in the next 4-7 years. As one of the few players in this space, we're not just participating in the market—we're driving it forward. Read all about it here: https://lnkd.in/dc7sbC3G #VentureCapital #SecondariesFund #EuropeanVC

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PE - EY on "PE Value Creation" (& PE Returns) EY on PE Value Creation: "Lastly, higher interest rates will continue to elevate the value of operational value-add. Results from our survey are very clear – when asked about the relative contribution of return levers for deals exited two years ago versus deals expected to exit over the next 24 months, respondents anticipate a strong pivot from multiple expansion to operational value-add." Summary: - Operational value-add is key to driving of returns - Going forward, operational value-add is expected to be more important than in the past Source: EY - https://lnkd.in/eUE6hkv9 ------------------ #pe #privateequity #business #ceo #tech #saas #finance #investing #gtm #revenuegrowth

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It was a great pleasure attending the Operating Partner Forum in London this week and engaging in thought-provoking discussions with industry peers, sharing best practises and learning how they are tackling some of the headwinds we are facing. The event covered a range of topics, but high on the agenda was the digital strategy and how to leverage AI as a driver of value creation. Here are my top three takeaways: #1 AI is coming, but getting the fundamentals right matters more: While AI has great potential and we will see significant product enhancements and productivity boosts opportunities in the near future, the real value today comes from getting the basics right. Strong processes, controls, an effective operating model, and robust data structures and systems are crucial for success. #2 Data maturity and organizational readiness: It's essential to assess and improve your organization's data maturity to ensure readiness for advanced analytics and AI implementation. This is a journey not a sprint. #3 Clear ownership of the digital agenda: Clearly distinguish between IT roles (infrastructure, architecture, cybersecurity) and data analytics roles lead by business and addressing business needs. This separation helps ensure we are addressing effectively real business needs and driving the digital strategy forward. #operatingpartnersforumeurope #operatingpartner #valuecreation #privateequity #carveout #transformation #parlementiacapital https://lnkd.in/ee_s_Gdb

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Nearly one-in-five UK-listed companies issued a profit warning in past year. ➡️ EY-Parthenon report reveals that 49 profit warnings were issued by UK-listed companies in Q2 2024, the lowest quarterly total since Q2 2021 ➡️ A fifth of profit warnings in Q2 2024 were from companies in the FTSE Industrial Support Services sector ➡️Rising costs were cited by more than a quarter of businesses as a key driver behind warnings in Q2 2024 Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eaHj2jzR #BetterWorkingWorld #EYUK

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High-Growth Finance Hacks: Scaling, Teams & Tech - Must-Listen 😱 CFOs and Finance Pros this one's for you! For the Love of Finance Vertice Episode 4 is featuring Julie Oey 🔥 Julie's a rockstar in finance team building, having built teams at Monzo Bank from the ground up and overseen finance, operations, & legal at Runa. Now, she's taking her expertise to Gelato. In this episode, you'll learn: 1️⃣ Crafting Winning Strategies for Rapid Growth 2️⃣ Building High-Performing Finance Teams 3️⃣ Leveraging Tech to Scale Early-Stage Businesses This is a must-listen! Catch the first 10 minutes below and get the full episode in the comments! 👇 Share this with your finance team for a major dose of inspiration! 🙏 #finance #CFO #growth #scaling #financeteams #financetechnology

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You can listen to my colleague Simon Menashy on the latest Operations Room podcast talking about what's going on in the early-stage funding ecosystem and the evolving role of the COO in fundraising 👇 #startups #VC #operations

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On BOE transparency, honesty, humility, and willingness to learn from its mistakes.

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ANNOUNCEMENT: We just launched our diversified fund investments feature on Mainshares 😲 Starting today, accredited investors can invest in SMB acquisitions managed by sophisticated investors via Mainshares I’ve been telling you all that we’re here to change the game of SMB investing for the better, and this is a huge step for us. Before, SMB investing was commonly done on a deal-by-deal basis, and depending on who you are, you may not have the time to spend parsing out every deal. Well now, investors on our platform have access to deals across a variety of industries, geographies, and deal structures in this (traditionally) inaccessible and fragmented asset class. Invest in ~20 SMBs, all with a single investment. Join the Mainshares train before we take off like a 🚀 Link below for diversified SMB investing 👇

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Thank you Funds Europe for including my voice in the new UK Budget coverage. VC industry was expecting the tax on carried interest - private equity managers’ share of profits on successful deals - to increase. However many of my fellow Venture Capitalists raised a concern about removing the right incentives for taking risks. These incentives are even more important for the founders creating strategic technology assets in the UK than for their investors. "Carried interest rewards fund managers who take long-term risks, which frees the capital needed to support early-stage innovation, particularly in R&D-intensive fields like quantum computing and AI. These sectors require sustained, high-stakes investment, where tremendous strategic asset value can be created, but the journey involves a great deal of risk-taking and patience." Thank you to everyone who led a dialog on this topic in the past few months and made sure that incentives are largely not removed for the founders and capital to stay in the UK. OpenOcean, British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA), Michael Moore, Daniel Harrington

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Salary Guides as a Strategic Tool As the UK Treasury market gains momentum following elections, hiring managers must harness this renewed energy to drive recruitment strategies and make informed decisions about future workforce planning. Political clarity and market stability often signal opportunities for growth, and companies that capitalise on this period of recovery will be better positioned to attract top talent. A key tool that can support hiring managers during this time is the use of #salary guides. They offer critical insights into market trends, salary expectations, and compensation benchmarks. How Can Salary Guides Help You? 1. Informed Budgeting: Salary guides provide current data on salary trends by sector, location, and role, helping you develop accurate #recruitment budgets. This ensures your compensation packages are competitive and realistic, reducing the risk of losing top candidates. 2. Negotiation Support: Having up-to-date salary benchmarks strengthens your negotiation position, allowing you to confidently offer compensation that aligns with market standards. 3. Sector-specific insights: Salary guides highlight trends across different sectors, helping you target talent in high-demand areas and focus your recruitment strategy on the most valuable skills. 4. Overall Compensation Beyond Salary: In addition to base salary, these guides provide insight into total #compensation packages, including benefits, bonuses, and perks—enabling you to craft attractive offers that meet candidate expectations. 5. Recruitment Strategy Support: With data from salary guides, you can tailor your recruitment strategy to meet current and future workforce demands, ensuring your organisation remains competitive in attracting the best talent. As the market picks up and you start planning for future growth, download our #Treasury Salary Guide to help you stay competitive and attract the top talent your business needs. https://lnkd.in/e9xRhYHY

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Three thoughts from the week so far: Don’t take feedback for granted. Celebrate your successes ⭐An introductory meeting prompted a comment that ‘Faye really knows her stuff.’  ⭐I knew absolutely nothing about that topic six years ago, but I do now. Progress!  ⭐Every Monday, I ask my team to celebrate a success from the prior week.  ⭐It’s good to reflect on mine, too. The world of ‘Work’ is pretty interesting, right now ⭐This is coming through in conversations with friends but also an excellent book I'm reading - The Future-Proof Career - Strategies for Thriving at Every Stage by Isabel Berwick ⭐It is a joy to read, like chatting over coffee with a wise friend. Think intergenerational challenges, the impact of AI, the WFH vs office debate, and purpose. ⭐I’ve finished part 1 (Employee) and will report back on part 2 (Manager). Brilliant so far. Never underestimate the value of your network ⭐ I’ve relied on the support of several connections this week and I’m reminded that there is value in both strong and weak ties.  ⭐ If you strive to connect as people first (business second), you can often pick up where you left off, regardless of the time passed.  ⭐A reminder to always invest in new and existing relationships and be as helpful and generous as you can.  What successes can you celebrate? How is your week going? #Reflections  #WeekatWork Picture from yesterday morning’s walk to our All Staff Town Hall in the sunshine ☀️

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The Future of Payments review found the UK is at risk of falling behind on payments globally if we don’t reinvest in and coordinate our national infrastructure - the ‘rails’ on which payments flow. We welcome the Bank of England’s leadership on this and have set out some core principles to guide the private-public cooperation that is needed. #payments #infrastructure

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At our final 2024 fireside chat, we had the pleasure of hosting Martino Cadoni, Director of Corporate Development and M&A at Klarna & Strategic Advisor at Football Benchmark. Here are three key takeaways that resonated with us: 1️⃣ Show Empathy, Stay Humble, Listen More: Martino reminded us of the power of giving before taking, emphasising the value of listening over speaking. 2️⃣ The Power of Storytelling: Communication often outweighs analytics. Building trust through clear, empathetic storytelling is essential for connecting with investors and stakeholders. 3️⃣ Know Your Stakeholders: Beyond tools and data, understanding stakeholder needs, pain points, processes and constraints is critical. Tailoring solutions to their challenges builds meaningful, lasting relationships. A big thank you to Martino for sharing his expertise with us.

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Fair to say that a lot of people were left scratching their heads in response to the FCA's decision not to act to address the high cost of data following the release of its Wholesale Data Market Study in February. While many observers have complemented the FCA on the depth and detail of the study, the regulator’s decision not to take any action has left some market participants somewhat puzzled. Read what Mike Carrodus, Mike Powell, Suzanne Lock, Rudolf Siebel and myself have to say on the subject in Mike O'Hara's latest article for TradingTech Insight, from A-Team Group, at https://lnkd.in/eMeyV7eR

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"Funding Collapse sends investment in start-ups to six year low" The Times today covering the shocking stats that VenturePath uncovered, with our partner Beauhurst. Great quotes from supporters Michael Moore CEO, BVCA and Julian David CEO, techUK. * UK VC funding at Series A is -44% from last year, and worsening * Q3 24 is down a staggering 57% from Q2, itself down from Q1 * 9 in 10 seed funded startups cannot access Series A VC funding, the next 'rung on the funding ladder' * Just 32 future scaleup companies across the whole of the UK were able to access their first VC funding round in Q3...a 6 year low * Half a billion less capital is going in to UK scaleups at Series A, than just 2 years ago! As the UK scaleup funding gap widens, we are losing ground against other countries, at both startup stage (a position the UK worked hard to achieve, since 2011), and for scaleup support. OECD data: 13th in the world for scaleup support, and that's before Series A funding access dried up. I get that its confusing. Another report (BBB, Nations & Regions) released this week spoke of positive trends in private investment, stating "The data for Q2 2024 shows that investment value has continued to grow". Great, I love to see optimistic data. But under analysis that bundles venture with private equity (later stage), where a few megadeals skew the numbers. Otherwise the exact opposite is true. Our independent research here, for the UK ScaleUp Investment Mission, is laser beam focussed on Series A. The funding round where companies move from the c.1m startups launched each year, through the 2,179 that access seed funding, into the rarefied category of being recognised as future scaleups, attracting Series A funding (£2-10m). The UK venture landscape is currently funding just 248 pa of these companies, and declining. We've been sharing this urgent call for support with the new Government since the day after the election. I've personally met with several Ministers, and spoke to all the relevant Government departments. I will shamelessly repeat loudly what is at stake. UK scaleup funding at Series A has nearly halved in a year, and continues to decline steeply, more than halving in the last quarter. VenturePath developed The UK ScaleUp Investment Mission to convene the scaleup support ecosystem and £7bn of funders to help address this problem, to improve nationwide access to VC investment, and create more venture-backed successes. We have clear support, clear recommendations to reverse this decline in UK scaleup investment, and have made a clear ask of Government for participation in this, to ensure immediate action is taken to create the conditions for success for UK scaleups, ensuring the focus on growth isn't undermined by lack of capital, or equitable access to it. Government decision makers, we'd love your interest, to progress to action. HM Treasury: Rt Hon Rachel Reeves Spencer Livermore James Murray & CC Poppy Gustafsson (welcome to the debate).

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