Partner with an Active Buyer
Co-invest in a profitable UK SME acquisition alongside an experienced operator committed to long-term ownership and growth
Businesses Evaluated
Target Turnover
Acquisition Model
James Bryant
Business Acquirer & Entrepreneur
Co-founder of Venture Videos, actively seeking first UK SME acquisition. I bring operational experience from scaling a service business and a transparent, owner-operator approach. After evaluating 20+ businesses and submitting several LOIs, I'm looking for the right partnership to complete my first acquisition.
Active Operator, Not Financial Buyer
I'll run the business day-to-day, applying operational expertise from scaling Venture Videos. This is a long-term hold, not a flip-and-exit strategy.
Rigorous Due Diligence Process
After evaluating 20+ businesses, I understand what separates exceptional targets from average ones. Expect thorough financial, operational, and market analysis before commitment.
Clear Investment Criteria
Focused on profitable, established UK SMEs with £1M+ turnover and £250k+ EBITDA. No startups, turnarounds, or speculative ventures.
Transparent Communication
Regular updates throughout the search, due diligence, and post-acquisition. This is my first acquisition—I'll be honest about challenges and opportunities rather than overpromising.
Aligned Incentives
As the operator, my success depends on the business thriving. Co-investors benefit from having an owner who's fully committed to operational excellence, not just financial engineering.
I'm targeting established, profitable UK SMEs where an owner-operator can add value through operational improvements, strategic focus, and long-term commitment. The ideal business has:
Value Creation Strategy: I'm not looking to "optimize and flip." The goal is to acquire a quality business, run it well, reinvest profits for growth, and build long-term value for all stakeholders—employees, customers, and co-investors.
I'm seeking equity co-investment partners (not debt financing) who understand SME acquisitions and are comfortable with the owner-operator model. Structure will depend on deal specifics, but typically involves:
Equity Partnership
Co-investors receive equity stake proportional to capital contributed, with preference structures negotiable based on risk tolerance and desired returns.
Long-Term Hold Period
This is not a 3-5 year flip. I plan to run the business for 10+ years, focusing on sustainable growth and value creation rather than quick exits.
Regular Updates
Quarterly financial reports, annual partner meetings, and ongoing communication about business performance, challenges, and opportunities.
Governance Rights
Appropriate board representation and approval rights for major decisions, balanced with operational autonomy for day-to-day management.
Note: Specific terms will be negotiated once a target business is identified. I'm happy to discuss potential structures before then to ensure alignment on expectations.
Patient Capital: Comfortable with 10+ year hold periods and reinvestment for growth
SME Experience: Understands small business dynamics, seasonal cash flows, and operational realities
Aligned Values: Values culture, employee retention, and customer relationships—not just IRR
Active Interest: Interested in business progress but respects operational autonomy
Financial Capacity: Able to commit £100k+ depending on deal size and structure
If you're interested in co-investing, I'd love to have a conversation about your investment thesis, expectations, and how I might structure a partnership. No obligations—just an exploratory discussion.
Initial Conversation
30-minute call to discuss your investment goals, my search progress, and potential fit
Share Information
I'll share target criteria, search status, and examples of businesses I'm evaluating
Alignment Discussion
If there's mutual interest, I'll discuss potential structures and next steps