EVENTS
ETA Awards
November
02
2023
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Awards (ETA Awards)
18:30 - 21:30
Nobu Hotel Shoreditch, London
CELEBRATING ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH ACQUISITION
Gerald Edelman is excited to announce that we will be hosting the ETA awards, on Thursday 2 November 2023, the first awards ceremony of its kind for the industry.
We are delighted to be bringing together a network of searchers and entrepreneurs to celebrate their achievements and notable acquisitions over the past year.
The ETA awards will spotlight promising and established searchers who have demonstrated their dedication and played a critical role in the ETA process, driving growth and success in the acquired companies.
The evening will be a great way to network with other searchers in London, we hope to see you all there!
AWARD CATEGORIES
Award categories
Deal of the Year <£10 million (Self-Funded)
This award will go to the transaction with EV <£10 million executed by a self-funded acquisition entrepreneur that is independently judged to be the deal of the year within that category.
Great deals are made by creating win/win situations, so the value created for both buyer and seller is a critical factor.
When submitting your application, consider:
1) Succession
2) Cash generation of the Target
3) Organic growth prospects
4) Vertical/horizontal M&A growth opportunities
5) Security of jobs for employees/other stakeholder considerations
6) Rolled equity – will the buyer and seller benefit from post-deal growth?
7) ESG – was the deal created ethically, and does it consider relevant environmental and social factors?
Deal of the Year <£10 million (Traditional)
This award will go to the transaction with EV <£10 executed by a traditional search-fund acquisition entrepreneur that is independently judged to be the deal of the year within that category.
Great deals are made by creating win/win situations, so the value created for both buyer and seller is a critical factor.
When submitting your application, consider:
1) Succession
2) Cash generation of the Target
3) Organic growth prospects
4) Vertical/horizontal M&A growth opportunities
5) Security of jobs for employees/other stakeholder considerations
6) Rolled equity – will the buyer and seller benefit from post-deal growth?
7) ESG – was the deal created ethically, and does it consider relevant environmental and social factors?
Deal of the Year >£10 million (Self-Funded)
This award will go to the transaction with EV >£10 executed by a self-funded acquisition entrepreneur that is independently judged to be the deal of the year within that category.
Great deals are made by creating win/win situations, so the value created for both buyer and seller is a critical factor.
When submitting your application, consider:
1) Succession
2) Cash generation of the Target
3) Organic growth prospects
4) Vertical/horizontal M&A growth opportunities
5) Security of jobs for employees/other stakeholder considerations
6) Rolled equity – will the buyer and seller benefit from post-deal growth?
7) ESG – was the deal created ethically, and does it consider relevant environmental and social factors?
Deal of the Year >£10 million (Traditional) SPONSORED by Irwin Michell
This award will go to the transaction with EV >£10 executed by a traditional search-fund acquisition entrepreneur that is independently judged to be the deal of the year within that category.
Great deals are made by creating win/win situations, so the value created for both buyer and seller is a critical factor.
When submitting your application, consider:
1) Succession
2) Cash generation of the Target
3) Organic growth prospects
4) Vertical/horizontal M&A growth opportunities
5) Security of jobs for employees/other stakeholder considerations
6) Rolled equity – will the buyer and seller benefit from post-deal growth?
7) ESG – was the deal created ethically, and does it consider relevant environmental and social factors?
Intern of the Year SPONSORED by Buy and Build
This award is for search fund and self-funded principals to nominate interns that they believe are the best in the business. Ones to watch, rising stars, call them what you like, these people are going places!
Investor of the Year SPONSORED by Shawbrook
This award will go to the Self-Funded/equity bridge investor of the year, considering criteria as follows:
1) Most search deals invested in
2) Most value unlocked overall
3) Most search funds invested in
4) Most deals completed by investee funds
5) Most value unlocked overall
Lender of the Year SPONSORED by Marriott Harrison
Most ETA deals involve the introduction of some debt capital. Some jurisdictions have easier access to debt capital than others and with Government support meaning there is less risk for both the lenders and borrowers. In the UK we are dependent on the risk appetite of the lenders to unlock deals and many of the high-street banks are do not have the appetite for such transactions. This award will go to the lender who has enabled the sector to continue closing deals and unlocking value.
ESG Excellence Award SPONSORED by JMW Solicitors
ESG is an increasingly important consideration for acquisition entrepreneurs and their investors. This award will celebrate the most ESG conscious searcher or investor.
How to nominate or enter the awards
The awards are open to anyone who meets the criteria of the related category. As this is the first year of the awards, the period under review for ‘of the year’ awards will be widened to two years, being the two years ending June 2023.
Deadline for submissions is Friday 13 October 2023.
To enter or nominate someone, please fill in the following form and make a statement as to why you, or the person you're nominating, deserves to win the award. Please ensure you consider the criteria under each award carefully. You can supply supporting images and documents, which might include testimonials, diagrams or any media coverage.
Enter Awards
Submit
OUR EXPERTS
Judging Panel
Bio
Carl Lundberg is a seasoned professional in the field of corporate finance and transaction services. As a Partner at Gerald Edelman LLP, Carl has gained extensive experience advising clients ranging from new entrepreneurs to large multi-national businesses, offering a wide range of business
advice to nurture and promote their success. Carl has expertise in entrepreneurship through acquisition and search funds, company acquisitions in the UK, due diligence, debt funding for UK acquisitions, and management buy-ins.
Carl Lundberg is a seasoned professional in the field of corporate finance and transaction services. As a Partner at Gerald Edelman LLP, Carl has gained extensive experience advising clients ranging from new entrepreneurs to large multi-national businesses, offering a wide range of business
advice to nurture and promote their success. Carl has expertise in entrepreneurship through acquisition and search funds, company acquisitions in the UK, due diligence, debt funding for UK acquisitions, and management buy-ins.
Carl Lundberg
Gerald Edelman
Bio
Paul Quirk is the Founder and Director of Citium Capital, a private investment firm that invests in and acquires small businesses in the UK.
Under Paul's leadership, Citium Capital has completed the acquisition of Amber Home Improvements, which Paul is operating as CEO, and made several minority investments in other buyouts and search funds.
In addition to his role at Citium Capital, Paul hosts the Buy and Build Podcast, where he explores the nuances of acquiring and building small businesses in the UK and Europe.
Before founding Citium Capital, Paul worked at J.P. Morgan for the Chief Investment Office, based in London and Switzerland. His team was responsible for investing discretionary funds totalling ~£22 billion, across asset classes. Paul also led due diligence for the investments used in these portfolios, reporting to the Global Investment Committee.
Paul Quirk is the Founder and Director of Citium Capital, a private investment firm that invests in and acquires small businesses in the UK.
Under Paul's leadership, Citium Capital has completed the acquisition of Amber Home Improvements, which Paul is operating as CEO, and made several minority investments in other buyouts and search funds.
In addition to his role at Citium Capital, Paul hosts the Buy and Build Podcast, where he explores the nuances of acquiring and building small businesses in the UK and Europe.
Before founding Citium Capital, Paul worked at J.P. Morgan for the Chief Investment Office, based in London and Switzerland. His team was responsible for investing discretionary funds totalling ~£22 billion, across asset classes. Paul also led due diligence for the investments used in these portfolios, reporting to the Global Investment Committee.
Paul Quirk
Buy and Build
Bio
Mark Dominik is a partner at Euston Ventures. Euston was founded in 2014 and has acquired, owned and operated six businesses since that time, in addition to making over 20 minority investments both in search-led acquisitions and growth equity. Prior to Euston, Mark had a career in private equity, most recently as Director of Portfolio Business Management at Terra Firma. He began his career as a management consultant, where he spent seven years at McKinsey & Company.
Mark Dominik is a partner at Euston Ventures. Euston was founded in 2014 and has acquired, owned and operated six businesses since that time, in addition to making over 20 minority investments both in search-led acquisitions and growth equity. Prior to Euston, Mark had a career in private equity, most recently as Director of Portfolio Business Management at Terra Firma. He began his career as a management consultant, where he spent seven years at McKinsey & Company.
Mark Dominik
Euston Ventures
SPONSORSHIP
Our Sponsors
The ETA Awards are open to all those who are active in the ETA and search fund space. Thank you to all our sponsors and a special thank you to Shawbrook who are our primary sponsors. All of our sponsors demonstrate a commitment to excellence and genuine support for the community.
How to become a sponsor
Our sponsors have the opportunity to reach a wide audience with a genuine interest in the ETA and search fund space. To sponsor the awards or discuss the packages in more detail, contact us.
OUR SPONSOR
Thank you to all our sponsors
How to Attend the Awards
We'd love for you to attend and celebrate with us.
Fill in the form to register your attendance and one of our team will be in touch.
Attend Awards
Submit
common questions
Frequently asked questions
What are the eligibility requirements for entering an award?
This will vary depending on the award, so it is important to read the eligibility criteria carefully before submitting an entry.
How do I submit an entry for an award?
Use the form above to submit your application. This should include a profile up to 2000 words on why you should win the award and a supporting document. This can be an image, testimonial, media coverage or financial information that supports the application.
When will I know if I have been shortlisted or won an award?
Nominations will be released Friday 29 September.
Is there a dress code for the awards ceremony?
Yes, the dress code is cocktail for this event.
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