We partner with exceptional entrepreneurs to acquire and scale successful businesses through the search fund model.
NXT.era Ventures is a dedicated investment firm focused exclusively on backing exceptional entrepreneurs through the search fund model. Our mission is to identify, support, and partner with the next generation of business leaders as they acquire and manage high-quality small- to mid-sized companies.
Founded by investors and operators, we bring a long-term perspective, deep operational empathy, and a commitment to responsible ownership. We believe that great businesses thrive under strong leadership, and we exist to help entrepreneurs become those leaders.
We support ambitious, high-potential entrepreneurs — often first-time CEOs — on their journey to building exceptional companies. With deep conviction in the search fund model, we provide capital, trust, and strategic guidance to help exceptional talent lead and grow with confidence.
We invest in enduring, high-quality companies with solid fundamentals, recurring revenue, and robust cash flows. We collaborate closely with searchers to identify and acquire businesses that combine long-term potential with lasting relevance.
We act as long-term partners, supporting entrepreneurs from day one with operational insights and board-level engagement. We assist searchers in identifying, evaluating, and executing value creation strategies to unlock the company’s potential for lasting success.
Our team blends investing expertise with real-world operational know-how. We have held leadership positions, managed acquisitions, and scaled teams and businesses. This perspective enables us to provide hands-on, high-impact guidance to our searchers — without micromanaging.
Marco, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of NXT.era Ventures, started his career in investment banking before transitioning into private equity, where he worked for a renowned European investor on large-scale real estate and direct investments. He later joined PGIM, a leading American global asset manager, where he gained extensive transactional experience in large-cap deals across Europe. As a founder, he built and exited his own investment company over the course of six years, sharpening his operational and strategic capabilities. His broad experience includes guiding companies through complex transactions, including deal structuring, valuation, and value creation strategies across different stages of the business lifecycle.
Marco brings a broad background spanning finance, entrepreneurship, and organizational transformation. He holds a Bachelor’s in Management from EBS Universität, a Master’s in Finance from ESADE Business School, and a second Master’s in Strategic Entrepreneurship & Innovation from King’s College London. Currently pursuing a Doctorate focused on organizational transformation through AI-driven innovation, Marco bridges academic insight with practical experience.
Having lived and worked across Europe, China, and the U.S., he draws on a global perspective, a diverse network, and cross-sector experience to support entrepreneurs and companies on their growth journeys. Before he entered finance, Marco worked as a commercial airline pilot, a role that built his ability to remain calm under pressure, along with his discipline and precision in making decisions.
Jan is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of NXT.era Ventures, where he brings over 17 years of leadership experience across global trading, corporate transformation, and business development. His career spans several continents and regions, including Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean, enriching him with a cross-cultural perspective and a deep appreciation for diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Before launching NXT.era Ventures, Jan led Shell’s global Low Carbon Fuels trading business, overseeing a team of more than 100 professionals across international markets. Over his career at Shell, he held a series of senior trading and management roles, scaling operations across multiple commodities and unlocking value through trading optionality and integrated supply chains. He has built and led high-performing teams in London, Rotterdam, Houston, Hamburg, and Barbados, consistently driving growth and operational excellence.
Jan’s track record in building and scaling trading organizations, leading transformational projects, and managing risk at a global scale directly informs his work supporting young entrepreneurs. He is passionate about partnering with emerging leaders to help them identify, acquire, and grow outstanding businesses.Jan holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Mannheim and studied Finance at the University of Connecticut.
We’re more than capital providers.
We are partners from search to exit.
We succeed when you do — that’s why we support you at every stage of the journey, from search and acquisition to growth and eventual exit.
We invest exclusively our own capital — making every investment just as personal to us as it is to you – allowing us to pursue bold opportunities that truly serve our entrepreneurs and their businesses.
We value transparent relationships and honest conversations. Trust serves as our foundation.
We look beyond quick returns. Our goal is to build sustainable companies that generate value for the long-term.
NXT.era Ventures invests in top-tier search funds, providing capital and strategic guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs who aim to acquire, operate, and grow small- to medium-sized businesses.
We are intentionally selective in the partnerships we form — because when we back a searcher, we do so with full conviction and long-term commitment.
Our approach starts with the individual. We believe in investing in people – not just deals. We look for entrepreneurs with character, grit, and adaptability to lead and grow a business over the long-term. Our role is to equip them with the capital, tools, and support they need to succeed.
We tailor our engagement to each searcher’s strengths and goals — from refining search strategies to advising on key operational decisions post-acquisition.
We believe the best outcomes occur when entrepreneurs are empowered to lead, supported by investors who have their back.
Expect:
We follow a disciplined approach to underwriting, but we understand that deals are won with more than just numbers. We assist searchers in assessing risks carefully, negotiating wisely, and structuring deals that balance flexibility and long-term value creation.
We view search fund investing as a long-term partnership. Whether the acquired business grows organically, scales via acquisition, or navigates difficult circumstances, we stay committed.
Our goal is not to flip companies — it’s to build great ones.
A search fund is an investment vehicle where a talented entrepreneur raises capital to find, acquire, and operate a privately held business. It’s a unique path that offers aspiring leaders a fast track to company ownership — with the support of experienced investors every step of the way.
The model typically unfolds in three main phases, each contributing to the overall process:
The entrepreneur raises initial funding to cover living expenses and deal-related costs while actively searching for a company to acquire.
Once a target is identified, the entrepreneur raises additional capital from initial and new investors to buy the business, often taking on a CEO role immediately upon close.
The entrepreneur leads and grows the acquired company, creating long-term value alongside a group of aligned, supportive investors.
After building long-term value, the business may be sold, recapitalized, or transitioned, delivering returns to investors and the entrepreneur, marking the end of the fund’s lifecycle.
It’s a path to meaningful ownership, leadership, and impact far earlier than traditional career tracks allow. It combines autonomy with support — you run the company, but you’re not doing it alone.
The model has delivered strong, risk-adjusted returns over decades. It offers access to high-quality small businesses, with a uniquely committed operating partner at the helm.
Search funds typically target companies that are:
Privately held and founder-owned
Profitable with stable cash flows
Recurring or repeat revenue models
Simple operations with low capital intensity
In fragmented industries with room for growth
Sectors often include business services, light manufacturing, healthcare services, and software — but the right leader can find great companies anywhere.
If you’re a driven, high-integrity leader with the ambition to run your own company, the search fund path offers a unique opportunity to do just that — with meaningful ownership, seasoned support, and the ability to create real, lasting value.
We’re here to help you get there.
We back a small number of searchers each year and invest heavily — not just financially, but personally — in every one.
We look for entrepreneurs who are:
From day one of your search, we’re in your corner — as partners, mentors, and sounding boards.
If you’re considering launching a search fund — or already planning one — we’d love to hear from you.
Please feel free to contact us via the contact form or drop us an email at info@nxtera-ventures.com.
