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(And why boring is brilliant) In investing, “boring” rarely gets the spotlight. But the businesses we back, and the way we back them, are...

Most SME buyers expect profits to rise immediately post-acquisition. In reality, the opposite often happens. In our latest Archimax...

What it means for SME acquisitions, investors, and why ETA thrives in this environment. 30-year UK gilt yields have climbed above 5.5%,...

Discover how ETA investments can yield 15–20%+ IRRs with zero growth, driven by low multiples, strong cash flow, and debt paydown.

Ever wonder what makes a great SME acquisition actually work, beyond the numbers? At Archimax, we operate in the Entrepreneurship Through...

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

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

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

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

Every investment should be built to protect the downside, not just chase the upside. At Archimax, the “I” in our B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ framework stands for Investment Safeguards, the structures and protections we put in place to ensure capital is respected, risks are mitigated, and incentives remain aligned. Having managed institutional portfolios across private markets, hedge funds, and direct deals, we’ve seen how important proper safeguards are to long-term outcomes. In the SME

The final letter in our B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ series In any deal, money follows management. But value is preserved through stewardship. At Archimax, the “T” in our B.E.S.T. F.I.T.™ framework stands for Trusteeship — our philosophy of staying actively engaged post-close to support governance, continuity, and long-term value creation. We do not believe in being passive passengers. We act as trusted partners to the operator, helping ensure the business is positioned to thrive under n

Just did my first podcast interview — and it’s live! (Catch the full episode below 👇) I joined The Deep Dive to talk about building...

This guide compares SME business vs buy-to-let property investments. Learn why SME acquisitions offer higher returns, tax efficiency, and equity growth potential—ideal for active investors seeking control and long-term value

This guide reveals what experienced acquirers do to drive SME post-acquisition growth in the first 12–18 months—zero-based budgeting, pricing power, systems automation, and roll-up strategies that accelerate EBITDA. Ideal for buyers seeking to turn acquisitions into cash-flow engines.

Learn the 7 must-have minority shareholder rights in UK ETA deals to protect your investment and avoid hidden risks. Stay protected with these smart safeguards.

Discover how SME ownership creates true financial independence and how Archimax backs ETA buyers and operators with aligned capital.

This post explores how experienced buyers handle SME post-acquisition integration—by defining long-term strategy, preparing for Day 1, and aligning with the team pre-close. Integration is where value is created—not just at the deal table.

This post explores how SME operational due diligence identifies founder dependency, weak systems, and undocumented processes—ensuring the business can survive post-exit.

This post reveals legal landmines that can derail SME acquisitions—like IP gaps, employee claims, and contract issues—and how legal due diligence helps buyers spot risks early.

That’s exactly what seems to be unfolding with my idea for Archimax Private Lending (APL) I was looking at ways to put together a...