Lakeview Partners Completes Fundraising for European SME Acquisition
Deal News | Feb 17, 2025 | Finance Community IT - 3 Private Equity

Lakeview Partners, a European search fund founded by Alex Shin and Nicol Fanti Rizzi, has completed its fundraising aimed at acquiring high-potential small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with an enterprise value between €10 and €60 million. The fund's strategy involves active management and fostering growth through international expansion and digital transformation. Supported by 17 international investors, including notable figures from the private equity and investment sectors, the fund intends to leverage strategic and operational support for its investments. The founders, with extensive backgrounds in technology, strategic operations, and investment banking, aim to enhance the acquired companies' performance through bespoke collaboration and long-term partnerships. They acknowledge the critical role of SMEs in Europe's economy and advocate for their global competitiveness in response to market globalization.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Technology
- SMEs
Geography
- Europe – The article centers on Lakeview Partners aiming to acquire and grow European SMEs, highlighting the economic landscape and growth opportunities within Europe.
Industry
- Private Equity – The article discusses Lakeview Partners, a search fund involved in the acquisition, management, and growth of SMEs in Europe, highlighting its financial and strategic backing from private equity firms and investors.
- Technology – The article highlights the focus on digital transformation as a key strategy for enhancing the growth of the acquired SMEs, leveraging changes in technology to improve business performance and competitiveness.
- SMEs – The core subject of the article is the acquisition and growth of small and medium enterprises, emphasizing their role in the European economy and their potential for international expansion.
Financials
- 10 to 60 million euros – The target enterprise value range for the SMEs that Lakeview Partners aims to acquire.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Lakeview Partners | Search Fund | Companies | A European search fund established by Alex Shin and Nicol Fanti Rizzi, focused on acquiring high-potential SMEs for growth through digital transformation and international expansion. |
Alex Shin | Co-founder and Managing Partner | People | An experienced investor and SME operator with a background in technology and business services, previously involved in strategic roles at Vanguard, R3, and EY. |
Nicol Fanti Rizzi | Co-founder and Managing Partner | People | An investment banker with expertise in M&A and corporate reorganizations across industrial, manufacturing, and technology sectors, having worked at Citigroup, Natixis, and Credit Agricole CIB. |
Will Thorndike | Investor | People | Managing partner of The Cromwell Harbour Partnership and founder of Housatonic Partners, providing strategic support to Lakeview Partners. |
Aurica Capital | Investor | Companies | A private equity fund involved in providing capital and strategic support to Lakeview Partners. |
Beka Finance | Investor | Companies | A private equity firm involved in supporting Lakeview Partners' search fund initiative. |
Tobias Raeber | Investor | People | Former successful researcher at Forti Search Fund Partners, contributing to Lakeview Partners. |
Gustavo Fernandez de Loyola | Investor | People | Former successful researcher at 9T Capital, involved in supporting Lakeview Partners. |
Rodrigo Barrenechea | Investor | People | Former successful researcher at 9T Capital, contributing to Lakeview Partners. |