Operating experience behind the investment.
Investors win founders on more than the cheque. Access to proven operators at the right moment is one of the few extras a founder truly values.
Where a fund needs an operator
Requests usually take one of four forms:
Diligence from someone who has done the job
An operator who has run this kind of company and can judge whether the plan is believable.
A key seat is empty
With the finance lead gone and the next funding round approaching, a conventional search would eat a whole quarter.
Co-investors want an outside director
Co-investors ask for a director who is none of the sponsor, the founder or the company's own lawyer.
The plan needs someone to deliver it
The value-creation plan is written. Nobody is answerable for carrying it out.
Investment firms can draw on our collective of 800+ for an operator inside a portfolio company, matched on language as well as experience, for diligence, a portfolio engagement or an independent board seat, always under a contract for services between companies.
Who this is for, and who it is not
Best for
- Adding operational value to investees without taking on management risk
- Giving founders a vetted operator you can refer with confidence
- Supporting several portfolio companies from one standing relationship
- Professionalising an investee while respecting its existing culture
- Staying in your governance role while the engagement is run for you
Not for
- Installing a controlling manager to run the company for you
- A single one-off introduction with no ongoing oversight
- Investors who want to direct day-to-day operations themselves
- A freelancer directory rather than a managed engagement
Where we fit behind your capital
We put an operator inside a holding when it needs one and keep governance consistent across each company we support.
Reported back to the fund
We review every engagement with the firm on an agreed rhythm, so trouble in a holding surfaces before the next board meeting.
One contact, the collective behind it
Every operator has our collective of 800+ to call on, while your firm deals with a single person at our end.
Seats held by process
We keep each holding's brief up to date, so if an operator leaves, the next search starts from what we know about that company.
Matched on language and stage
A research spin-out and a family-owned distributor need different operators, and often different working languages.
The partnership model
One relationship. Portfolio-wide coverage.
Establish the standing relationship
We understand your investment thesis, your portfolio, and the types of leadership gaps most common across your investments.
You introduce us when needed
When a portfolio company needs operational leadership, you make the introduction. We handle everything else.
The right operator, fast
Discovery, matching, scoping, engagement management, and ongoing oversight, without you managing or coordinating it.
Visibility without burden
Lightweight reporting to you, not operational detail, but confidence that the engagement is performing. Investor-grade oversight without investor-level involvement.
Support by investor type
Different investors carry different portfolio needs. We match the operator to the need and manage the engagement, so it never lands back on you.
The operators we embed in your portfolio companies
Every operator is matched to the portfolio company's stage, sector and challenge.
Trusted across
