CEO Requirements

Ascent typically looks to back CEOs looking for financing from private equity funds, who have:

• An entrepreneurial mindset, with ideas on specific acquisition candidates or a specific sector to target acquisitions in. In the past, all of the CEOs we have backed had a written investment thesis discussing: (i) the background on the sector they want to purse acquisitions and why it is an attractive area to make investments in, (ii) their acquisition criteria, (iii) a list of targets to pursue, and (iv) their business strategy for increasing shareholder value after the closing of an acquisition.  This may be summarized in a cover letter.

• Previous experience as CEO or general manager of a company, with full P&L responsibility and all functions reporting to them.

• A proven track record of successfully building, as CEO, a company to $100 million or more in sales, with operating margins in excess of 15%, in one of our focus areas.

• Acquisition experience.

• A high margin, recurring revenue business model that allows a company to create a sustainable competitive advantage and to become a leader in its industry.

• The ability to build a complete and strong management team.

• A partnership mentality, with a high level of integrity and excellent interpersonal skills.

To view the backgrounds of CEO's of Ascent's current portfolio companies, please click here.