The Search Fund that Helps You Acquire, Operate, and Grow

'The Alumni Files' focuses on all things entrepreneurial.

This week?Sina Fattahi, who was part of the MBA programme for 2020/21, tells the Entrepreneurship Centre about his search fund –?Roxbi Capital.

What made you want to start a search fund?

I joined the MBA with three career goals in mind. I wanted to become the leader of a small to medium-sized enterprise, take on an entrepreneurial challenge and have a career path where I continue learning. Search fund ticked all of these boxes for me.

Additionally, as a traditional search fund entrepreneur, I benefit from the professional support and guidance of experienced individuals throughout my entrepreneurial journey. This was a significant factor for me when selecting the traditional search fund route.

What is a search fund?

A Search fund is an acquisition vehicle where an entrepreneur searches for and acquires an existing business. They then take on the role of CEO in the acquired business with the goal of growth and taking it to 'new heights'.

The two most common types of search funds are self-funded and traditional. In a self-funded search fund, as the name suggests, the entrepreneur funds their search for a company. However, the traditional search fund is funded by a group of experienced entrepreneurs and professional SME investors. My search fund, Roxbi Capital, is a traditional one.

What aspects of the MBA did you find helpful in building your fund?

From a high-level point of view, the core electives are very relevant to the business leader of an SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) and are applicable throughout the lifecycle of a search fund. I would also highlight the MBA programme’s focus on learning and practising the art of networking throughout the year. This was very helpful for entering a completely new professional network.

More specifically, the summer elective "Search Funds and Entrepreneurial Acquisition", taught by Jan Simon, was invaluable. This class wasn't just about theory – it was practical. Jan took us through the different stages of search fund in the morning classes, and in the afternoons, he hosted guest speakers who were going through those stages. This was not only insightful but also a golden opportunity to connect with the wider search fund community.

If someone else was interested in creating a search fund, what two pieces of advice would you give them?

My first piece of advice is to make sure you have the right motivations. A search fund is a unique career and can take several years to reach your goals. A prospective entrepreneur should look inward, think through the multiple stages of a search fund, and make sure their motivations will stand the test of time.

My second piece of advice is to start networking with the search fund community early. Building connections within the search fund community can significantly enhance your search fund experience. This community is welcoming and supportive, and by getting to know people sooner rather than later, you'll gain access to valuable insights, mentorship, and potential partners that can help you navigate the search fund journey more effectively.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I hope I will be leading a great SME where I will be continuing and building on the legacy of the previous owner.

How can I get involved?

I'm currently looking for a great private company to acquire. So please get in touch if you know of any potential companies that you think may be a good opportunity for me. Also, I usually have internship opportunities in the fund so please get in touch if you want to gain some first-hand entrepreneurial experience.

If you're interested in any of the positions above or want to find out more about Roxbi Capital, send them a message via the form at the foot of their webpage!