MITEF UK Event - Search Funds - Interactive Case Study

The MIT Enterprise Forum of the UK is delighted to welcome Jim Southern, successful entrepreneur and search fund investor, as our next speaker in the forum's Interactive Case Study series.

This session is sure to appeal to would-be entrepreneurs, investors and anyone with an interest in entrepreneurship and innovative funding methods. The search fund model is a fascinating way for entrepreneurs to fund the acquisition of a small business while receiving valuable support from experienced entrepreneurs. Jim Southern will introduce us to the model through an interactive session in which he will discuss a specific case of search fund investment. Because of the interactive nature of the session, participants will receive an advance copy of the case to be discussed and will be asked to have read the case ahead of time in order to be able to contribute to and benefit from the discussion.

Mr Southern manages a personal portfolio of private equity investments in small to medium sized companies. His portfolio includes 47 search funds. Search funds investing consists of providing search and acquisition capital to promising entrepreneurs whose intent is to acquire a small, established company with revenues of $10 million to $30 million and a solid history of growth and profits. Over a ten year holding period, the average portfolio company has grown to annual revenue of $150 million.

Prior to search fund investing, Mr Southern was himself a beneficiary of search fund investors early in his career. His first search resulted in the acquisition of Uniform Printing, a $43 million printer of specialty insurance forms and documents, where he served as its chairman and CEO for 10 years. He sold the company, yielding a 60% IRR to its investors.

Mr Southern also served as Chairman and CEO of Continental Fire & Safety Services, a privately held company providing fire safety services to commercial and industrial customers in the mid-Atlantic market. He serves or has served on the boards of ten privately held companies and several not-for-profit foundations. Mr Southern received a BA from Southwestern University and MBA from Harvard Business School. He and his wife, Linda, reside in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and Boston, MA.

JM Finn Capital Markets

JMFinn Capital Markets is a client focused institutional broker and corporate advisor. Our team has a strong track record in advising and raising capital, providing research and after market care for both growing and established smaller companies. Our Institutional Broking team provides a dedicated, bespoke agency broking service to fund managers and private client brokers. http://www.jmfinncapitalmarkets.com/

Global Entrepreneur Programme - UKTI

Global Entrepreneur Programme identifies and provides overseas entrepreneurs with global potential in the life sciences and information and technology sectors with Dealmaker support and assistance to successfully establish new technology based opportunities and global headquarters in the UK. http://www.entrepreneurs.gov.uk/

About the MIT Enterprise Forum of the UK

Part of an international network of MIT Enterprise Forums providing connections between technology entrepreneurs and its global communities, the UK Forum is open to all individuals, entrepreneurs and investors passionate about driving technological enterprise and innovation, whether MIT alumni or non-alumni.

Registration

Previous events

Sponsoring this event