A Place at The Table

Mastering the art of the team get-together is a process that every company approaches in their own way.?

At OpenGate, whether we are celebrating an investment, memorializing a firm milestone, or just convening for the inherent value in getting together, it always feels like a family gathering.

But over the last few years, throughout the pandemic and amid the new hybrid world of work we live in, there have been fewer opportunities to come together – and so the occasions we did have took on new significance for me.

With Thanksgiving upon us, when my family, like so many others, will join each other for a special meal, I find myself reflecting on the lunches and dinners that I have shared with colleagues over the last 12 months, and thinking about the reasons why I want to do more of these events in the year ahead.?

Something that keeps coming to mind is how deeply grateful I am to be able to work with people who come from all different backgrounds and experiences. As a trans-Atlantic firm with staff from all over the world, OpenGate’s team comprises 16 nationalities, and together, we speak 12 languages.

This not only enriches our conversations around the table, but also brings important advantages to our work as a firm. And those benefits are not abstract. Our culture is shaped by our diversity – it informs and elevates how we come together and what we do every day.

Take deal sourcing, for example. Having offices in both Los Angeles and Paris and companies all over the United States and Europe means we are able to spot compelling investment opportunities where others might not even think to look.??

The same is true of our operational capabilities, which is a core pillar of our approach. We strive to help great companies uncover new ways to stretch to the next level of growth. Our global footprint enables a constant exchange of lessons and best practices across the Atlantic. It’s also an antidote to myopia: our team shares new ideas and fresh approaches to problem-solving and creativity every single day.

And when it comes to fully realizing our investments through strategic exits, our expansive network helps us find the best possible homes for our companies to continue their growth trajectory.

It is no coincidence that our firm is structured the way it is, drawing from such a wide array of perspectives and expertise. When I founded the firm, I envisioned a global team from day one, because the value of diversity is personal to me.

Being the son of Iranian immigrants in America was an experience that shaped me profoundly and gave me the skills that helped me succeed as an entrepreneur. My parents have been incredible role models who, through their experience as immigrants, taught me the ways of humility, discipline, and most of all, resilience. They impressed upon me the importance of an education, the power of kindness, the necessity of charity, and the impact on one’s life that comes from good old-fashioned hard work.

So, on this Thanksgiving, as I reflect on the many blessings in my life, I am thankful that I get to share so many experiences with so many wonderful people – with my tireless team at OpenGate, my amazing family at home, and countless other friends and colleagues.

As we gather to celebrate and give thanks, I am reminded of the lesson instilled in me by my parents long ago – that we should all strive to create environments where everyone has an opportunity to contribute and succeed. There is plenty of room at the table.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.??