At S20, we understand the lifecycle of a technology company better than anyone. We’ve seen multiple founders scale from a "garage idea" to a market leader. This unique perspective allows us to step in where traditional Private Equity or M&A firms often fail to see the potential: at the intersection of proven business models and the need for a radical new spark.
1. Reverse Search Fund (Operator-Led Buyouts)
We don't just buy companies; we find the right leader first. We identify high-potential businesses and match them with world-class CEOs from our network, then organize the entire acquisition.
2. Management & Ownership Restructuring
We design transition paths for founders who are ready for a partial exit (de-risking) or want to hand over the reins to a professional management team while retaining a significant stake in the company’s future.
3. Capital Syndication (HNWI & Family Offices)
We organize agile investment consortiums. By leveraging our network of 20+ experienced private investors, we provide funding that is faster, more flexible, and more "founder-friendly" than traditional Private Equity or Bank Debt.
4. Strategic M&A and Scale-up Advisory
We coordinate the transition from a local hero to a global player, managing everything from the initial deal design to the implementation of new growth strategies (AI integration, international expansion, organizational scaling).
Our case studies:
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The Challenge: Scaling Beyond Market Dominance
Fitatu, the undisputed leader in Poland’s nutrition app market (1.2M MAU), reached a pivotal stage where global expansion required a new management paradigm. The founders, Wojciech and Dominik, sought a way to de-risk their personal positions after years of intensive building, while ensuring the company had the leadership and capital necessary to compete on the world stage. The challenge was to design a transition that respected the company’s DNA while injecting fresh scale-up expertise.
The Strategy: A Founder-Friendly Succession
S20 engineered a strategic Operator-Led Buyout, prioritizing a structure that was both profitable and rewarding for the original founders. By organizing a syndicate of 20 private investors (HNWIs), we facilitated a partial exit that allowed Wojciech and Dominik to monetize their success while retaining a significant 26% equity stake. This ensured they remained key beneficiaries of the company’s future growth. To lead the next chapter, we recruited Jakub Biczkowski (ex-Chief E-commerce of Wakacje.pl), a seasoned executive with a proven track record in scaling digital platforms to billion-dollar valuations.
The Results: Shared Growth and AI Innovation
This „win-win” structure allowed the founders to transition into strategic mentoring roles, staying involved in the company’s evolution without the burden of daily operations. Under the new leadership, Fitatu accelerated its AI roadmap (Acai 2.0) and expanded its footprint in Western European markets. The results speak for themselves: a 45% increase in net revenue just in the first year and a clear path toward global leadership, with the original founders continuing to participate in the significant value appreciation they helped create.