Succession
You have built a company and are looking for a solution that carries the business, the team and the name forward.
Business area · Venture
Investing with an entrepreneurial eye.
We invest where substance meets potential, and stay on board as a partner.
Approach
Capital is the starting point, not the goal.
We invest in companies with a sound business model and a team we understand. Rather than following a short-term returns logic, we ask what a company can be in five and in ten years’ time.
As an investment partner, we bring more than capital: entrepreneurial experience from our own companies, a well-established network and a willingness to think along at an operational level too.
We don’t buy numbers. We invest in people who have built something.
That is why every investment starts with listening, not with a valuation.
Starting points
Which situation are you in?
Most conversations begin with one of these four situations.
Growth
The business is sound, but the next step needs capital, structure or access to new markets.
Change of shareholders
A partner wants to exit, and the remaining owners are looking for a clean solution.
Management buyout
Your management team wants to take over and needs a reliable capital partner to do so.
Focus
Where we invest.
Three situations in which our kind of investment works particularly well.
Substance
Established business models
Companies with a resilient core business that want to take the next step. We bring capital and structure without destroying what works.
Continuity
Succession and acquisition
Owner-managed firms looking for a reliable solution for the future. We take responsibility for the business, the team and the customers.
Growth
Growth and expansion
Investments where capital, structure and network make the difference. We think in years, not quarters.
Investment criteria
What we look for.
So you can judge within a minute whether a conversation makes sense.
- Regions
- Switzerland, Germany and neighbouring markets
- Situations
- Succession, growth, change of shareholders, management buyout
- Type of stake
- Majority or minority, depending on the situation
- Sectors
- Open to all sectors, with a focus on trade, media and manufacturing
- Requirements
- Established business model, existing management team, sustainable earning power
- Outside our focus
- Early-stage start-ups, pure property businesses, turnaround cases
We discuss specific size ranges in the initial meeting.
Working together
How an investment works.
Initial meeting
We get to know the company, the figures and the people, confidentially and without obligation.
Assessment
A joint analysis of the business model, market and potential.
Structure
We structure the investment so that it works for both sides.
Ongoing support
Once we have come on board, we remain your point of contact, on the advisory board and day to day.
Our commitments
What you can rely on.
Confidentiality
Every enquiry remains confidential. On request, we sign a non-disclosure agreement in advance.
Direct decisions
You speak directly with the decision-makers, not with a committee in the background.
No pressure to exit
We think in years rather than fund lifetimes and work without a fixed exit horizon.
Continuity
The team, location and name stay for as long as they belong to the company.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know.
Which sectors does Zendor invest in?
We are open to all sectors and look at the business model, market position and team. Our experience lies particularly in trade, media and manufacturing businesses.
Do you take majority or minority stakes?
Both are possible. What matters is that the structure suits the company’s situation and that both sides can work with it in the long term.
How long do you stay on board?
We think long term and work without a fixed exit horizon. An investment ends when that makes sense for the company, not because a fund is expiring.
How confidential is an initial meeting?
Completely. We treat every enquiry in strict confidence and, on request, sign a non-disclosure agreement in advance.
What company sizes do you consider?
We are open to companies of different sizes. We discuss the specific parameters in the initial meeting.
What happens to the team after an investment?
The team stays. We invest in companies because they work, not in order to restructure them.
How long does the process take?
That depends on the documentation and the complexity. We tell you early on whether we will proceed, so you don’t lose any time.
What does an initial meeting cost?
Nothing. The initial meeting is free of charge and without obligation.
Zendor AG
Other business areas.
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Finance
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Advisory
Strategic consulting from analysis to implementation, with a focus on clarity and measurable results.
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Vendor
Trade and distribution of our own and selected brands, including WKOne Eyewear, with our own platform and access to specialist retail.
Learn moreMedia & Publishing
Media House
Stakes in publishing houses and our established core media business: film, photography, panoramas and virtual 360° tours.
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Contact
Let’s talk about an investment.
Whether succession, growth or a new investor coming on board: tell us about your company. We treat every enquiry confidentially.