ekwithree

🌐 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 🌐 Digital value creation is increasingly vital for PE investors, 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. The digital creation effect, has now been proven for public and private companies through multiple expansions (increasing between 0.5x and 2x) and EBIT margin improvement (increasing more than 1.5 percentage points). 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬: - Process Digitalization - Digital Marketing & Sales - Digital Services & Business Models 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫-𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐤𝐭𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫: - Determine Digital Maturity: Assess starting point and identify risks and potentials. - Define Digital Strategy: Develop a digital target image aligned with business strategy. - Establish Enablers: Ensure data quality, IT systems, cybersecurity, skills, and culture. - Scale Digital Value Levers: Implement measures, starting with process digitalization. At ekwithree, we do not only focus on improving digitalization within our portfolio companies but we also invest in professional B2B service providers which themselves support other companies in digitalization. We call this digitalization squared✨ #DigitalTransformation #PrivateEquity #FamilyOffice #ValueCreation #DigitalStrategy #Innovation For more insights, check out Struktur Management Partner. Thomas Dobmeyer Ilze Lauberte Alexander Steeb Ieva Kalteniece Tobias W. Ping-Hsuan Huang Pia Joguet

🚀 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐓 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🚀 The IT services sector is booming in M&A activity, driven by market growth, tech advancements, and industry consolidation. Key valuation drivers include: 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞, 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡, 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐱, 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. These trends are important to us ekwithree as investors, as we envision the future success of companies that we invest in. As our portfolio company, Hoalani Group specializes in Microsoft professional services across the US, Europe and Africa, understanding these drivers helped us to strategically position ourselves to maximize our valuation and leverage further growth opportunities.   📈These drivers are essential for navigating M&A activity and achieving premium valuations in the IT sector. For more details, you can read the full report from Lincoln International below.   Thank you Lincoln International for this insightful report and Chris Brooks for the insightful conversation last week. Thomas Dobmeyer Alexander Steeb Ilze Lauberte Tobias W. Ping-Hsuan Huang Ieva Kalteniece Pia Joguet

🌍 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! 📈 At our boutique growth investment firm ekwithree, we understand the importance of strategic alignment and digitization in today’s fast-paced world. Whether we're navigating through industry trends, analyzing potential investments, or connecting from different locations, staying in sync is key. 💼 📊 We're committed to leveraging technology to work efficiently from anywhere, ensuring that our decisions are data-driven and impactful. This photo captures a moment of collaboration, exemplifying our dedication to seamless communication and strategic growth. Our team, spread across various locations, works seamlessly together, proving that collaboration transcends physical distances. Stay tuned as we continue to explore new avenues for growth and innovation! 🚀 Ping-Hsuan Huang Thomas Dobmeyer #StrategicAlignment #Digitization #WorkFromAnywhere #InvestmentStrategy #Teamwork

🚀 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐄𝐎𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭! 🚀 The recent survey highlights that CEOs identify growth and M&A as the top areas requiring operations team expertise. At ekwithree, we understand these critical needs and have built our strength around providing exceptional support in these areas. 🔍 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲: - CEOs require high support in business and growth strategy, M&A (buy and build) integration, 100-day planning, governance, and reporting. - There's a significant demand for expertise and support for operational excellence. 🌟 𝐖𝐡𝐲 ekwithree 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭: - Unlike many PEs that come solely from the finance side without an entrepreneurial track record, we at ekwithree pride ourselves on being extrapreneurs who work with entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs on the organization.  - Our team combines financial acumen with a deep entrepreneurial spirit, ensuring we provide holistic support that drives growth and innovation. - We excel in helping businesses navigate the difficult journey of being an entrepreneur and scaling a business, through guidance and experience. By aligning our focus with the areas CEOs need most, we are positioned to deliver unparalleled value and drive success for our clients. Let's continue to transform challenges into opportunities together! 💼💡 Alexander Steeb Ilze Lauberte Thomas Dobmeyer Ieva Kalteniece Tobias W. Ping-Hsuan Huang Pia Joguet Source: Kearney Private Equity Study, 2014

🌟𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲🌟 Our team members come from different countries, and at ekwithree, we leverage the best intercultural qualities:   We value the independence and diversity of Americans, the loyalty and honesty of Taiwanese; we respect the discipline and efficiency of Germans, the capability and punctuality of Latvians; and, of course, we appreciate the passion and creativity of French.   Though we may be diverse, we perfectly complement each other's traits.   Ilze Lauberte Alexander Steeb Thomas Dobmeyer Ieva Kalteniece Ping-Hsuan Huang Tobias W. Brett Kaufman Pia Joguet #Extrapreneurship #LongTermValue #InvestmentStrategy #DiversityandInclusion #privateequity #BusinessGrowth

🌟𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 ekwithree🌟 At ekwithree, one of our core values is Resilience. This isn't just a buzzword for us; it's a fundamental part of who we are and how we operate. Resilience at ekwithree means: - Commitment to ourselves individually, our team, and our partners. - Perseverance to show up and navigate through every challenge, no matter the setbacks. - The capacity and willingness to push through, a testament to our ambition to grow and become stronger. - Failing forward until we reach a point where failure is no longer an option. This journey is about more than just overcoming challenges. It’s about the unwavering commitment to continue striving, growing, and succeeding together. At ekwithree, we believe that resilience is the key to unlocking our true potential and achieving the extraordinary. Here’s to showing up every single day and being all-in 🌟 Ilze Lauberte Alexander Steeb Thomas Dobmeyer Ieva Kalteniece Tobias W. Ping-Hsuan Huang Brett Kaufman Pia Joguet #Resilience #Teamwork #Growth #ekwithreeValues #Perseverance #Success

🚤 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫🚤 This week, our team embarked on an unforgettable journey aboard a houseboat, navigating through the canals of France. The experience was not only about exploring new landscapes it was also a hands-on lesson in teamwork and collaboration. Steering a houseboat requires precise coordination and mutual support - skillls that are equally vital in our professional lives. Our time on the houseboat was filled with shared moments of cooking meals together, steering through locks and narrow channels, fostering collective strength, cooperation, and deepening our alignment as a team. Every member of our crew brought a unique perspective. This houseboat journey symbolizes our path as ekwithree —where every twist and turn, every lock and channel, represents an opportunity for collective achievement. Here’s to navigating new waters, unlocking potential, and steering towards a future filled with possibilities! 🌊🚀 Thomas Dobmeyer Alexander Steeb Ieva Kalteniece Ping-Hsuan Huang Tobias W. Brett Kaufman

During our team meeting in March, we delved into the concept of excellence and its significance within our organisation. What exactly does excellence mean for ekwithree? There was some uncertainty surrounding the distinction between 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, as well as whether excellence entails meeting or surpassing expectations, and whose expectations—our own or others'—should be prioritized.   At its essence, excellence transcends mere proficiency; it represents an unwavering pursuit of greatness, a commitment to continuous improvement. In the realm of personal development, excellence is characterized by an unyielding drive to realize one's full potential. It involves setting high standards, fostering a growth mindset, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Achieving excellence requires perseverance, discipline, and a willingness to step outside one's comfort zone. It's not just about achieving success, but about trying the best and striving for mastery and continuous self-improvement. Excellence demands resilience in the face of adversity, humility in moments of success, and a willingness to learn from failure. It necessitates a firm commitment, even in the presence of competing interests or external pressures.   𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐬, 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧; 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭.   So, excellence isn't about surpassing others' expectations; it begins with surpassing our own. It's about continuously challenging ourselves to learn, grow, and develop, ultimately enabling us to exceed external expectations.   Excellence isn't solely attributed to the organization itself; rather, it stems from the excellence of its individual members. Cultivating a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability is crucial, empowering each individual to contribute their best.   In conclusion, for ekwithree excellence isn't merely a lofty aspiration; it's a guiding principle that drives us to deliver our best and continually strive for improvement. Ilze Lauberte Alexander Steeb Thomas Dobmeyer Tobias W. Ping-Hsuan Huang Ping-Hsuan Huang Pia Joguet #excellence #ekwithree #privateequity

⚖️ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐯𝐬. 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 ⚖️ Out of many important discussions at the PE Summit in Berlin, the conversation about roles of generalists vs. sector specialists in private equity firms stuck to us. For small and mid-sized companies, the trend is clear: generalists are often favored over specialists. Many companies are opportunity-driven rather than theme-driven, requiring a broad range of expertise to capitalize on diverse opportunities. However, certain cross-functional areas remain critical for growth investments. These areas include: - Demographic change - Energy - Artificial Intelligence - Climate - Healthcare At ekwithree, we embrace a generalist approach, focusing on tech-enabled providers of professional B2B services. Our investments span several key areas, including: - Software - Healthcare - Energy-saving tech-enabled services By leveraging diverse expertise and focusing on these key areas, we help businesses navigate challenges and achieve sustainable growth. #PrivateEquity #Generalists #Specialists #BusinessGrowth #ekwithree #InvestmentStrategy 

🌟  𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐄 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭! 🌟 Today at the German Private Equity Summit in Berlin, we observed some trends and opportunities that are shaping the future of our industry.  🚀 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲: After a challenging 2023, the German PE market is bouncing back with an increasing number of transactions, signaling a promising future for investors and companies alike.  🏢 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬: With over 10,000 owner-managed companies facing succession issues, there is a significant opportunity for growth and transformation.  🔍 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬:  The emphasis is now on creating true value through: • Operational excellence • Internationalization • Professional talent management • Strategic pricing • Enhanced sales functions • Optimized supply chains • Streamlined processes  🤔 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭: Many owner-managed companies are cautious about investing in growth. At ekwithree, we understand these concerns and are dedicated to partnering with business owners to help them navigate these challenges, secure succession plans, and enhance both client and company value. We are excited to be at the forefront of these changes, helping businesses reach new heights. Let’s connect and explore how we can drive success together! 🚀 #PE #BusinessGrowth #SuccessionPlanning #ekwithree