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Why We Built the B.O.R.I.N.G. Investment Club
(And why boring is brilliant) In investing, “boring” rarely gets the spotlight. But the businesses we back, and the way we back them, are...
Alexander Kalis
Aug 11, 20252 min read


Why Every Acquisition Faces the J Curve, And How to Manage It
Most SME buyers expect profits to rise immediately post-acquisition. In reality, the opposite often happens. In our latest Archimax...
Alexander Kalis
Sep 4, 20251 min read


UK Borrowing Costs Hit 25-Year High
What it means for SME acquisitions, investors, and why ETA thrives in this environment. 30-year UK gilt yields have climbed above 5.5%,...
Alexander Kalis
Sep 4, 20252 min read


Why ETA Investments Can Deliver 15–20%+ IRRs, Even with Zero Growth
Discover how ETA investments can yield 15–20%+ IRRs with zero growth, driven by low multiples, strong cash flow, and debt paydown.
Alexander Kalis
Aug 11, 20251 min read


Introducing the B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ Methodology – B is for Buyer
Ever wonder what makes a great SME acquisition actually work, beyond the numbers? At Archimax, we operate in the Entrepreneurship Through...
Alexander Kalis
Aug 11, 20251 min read


Introducing the B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ Methodology – E is for Enterprise
What makes an SME truly worth acquiring? In the ETA world, it’s easy to get distracted by revenue figures or surface-level trends. But at Archimax, we go deeper. The “E” in our B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ framework stands for Enterprise — the business itself. We assess whether it is not just profitable, but durable, essential, and worth building on. At Archimax, our analysis draws on institutional-grade diligence, developed over decades of managing capital for pension funds, family offi
Alexander Kalis
Jul 30, 20252 min read


Introducing the B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ Methodology – S is for Strategy
Buying a business is only the beginning. The real value lies in what happens next. At Archimax, we back experienced operators acquiring SMEs through Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). And when we assess a deal, one of the most critical questions we ask is: What is the plan? The “S” in our B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ framework stands for Strategy — the buyer’s roadmap for creating value. Our team has spent over 25 years evaluating fund managers and private investments across hed
Alexander Kalis
Jul 29, 20252 min read


Introducing the B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ Methodology – T is for Terms
Every SME deal rests on two sets of terms. First, the terms between buyer and seller. Second, the terms between buyer and co-investor. At Archimax, we look closely at both. The “T” in our B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ framework stands for Terms — the deal structure, the economic alignment, and the practical safeguards that determine whether we co-invest. Our background spans more than 25 years structuring investments for institutional clients across hedge funds, venture capital, and priva
Alexander Kalis
Jul 28, 20251 min read


Introducing the B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ Methodology – F is for Feasibility
Some deals look great on paper. But can they actually work in practice? At Archimax, we believe every acquisition must pass a simple test: is it feasible? That’s why the “F” in our B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ framework stands for Feasibility — our in-depth assessment of whether the business, the plan, and the team can realistically deliver the intended outcomes. This is where we combine operational realism with financial rigour. Our experience managing capital for pension funds, family
Alexander Kalis
Jul 25, 20252 min read
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