Typical hurdles for owners of unprofitable companies
Operational Dilemma
Owners of loss‒making tech companies without the operational capacity to restructure on their own – Liquidation not an option
Pivotum Capital acts as operational investor with its own team
Limited Divestment Options
Companies up for sale too small and/or too loss‒making for sale to small‒cap private equity or strategic buyers
Pivotum Capital acquires companies in case a classic sale is not possible
Complex Transaction
Selling processes often tidious and complex, while owners desire speed, transaction security and pragmatism when selling their loss‒making assets
Pivotum Capital ensures fast transaction decision‒making and completion
Our Approach
Following the acquisition, Pivotum Capital will take over operational management in order to get the company back on track.
Acquisition
Identification of relevant targets with a focus on carve-outs of loss-making tech assets. Fast, hands-on due diligence including product/tech, finances and customer contracts
Operational Takeover
Takeover of the company as managing directors with immediate implementation of restructuring measures to secure liquidity and insure operational stability
Pivotum as Advisor
Recruiting and onboarding of an ambitious CEO approximately 6-9 months after acquisition. Handing over the defined value creation measures paired with success-oriented incentivation until exit. Pivotum in advisory role with lean and decisive governance structure
Exit
Preparation of the exit process once performance has stabilized and the growth path has been defined. Ensuring exit readiness (finance, legal, KPIs) for target exit within 12-24 months after acquisition
Success Stories
We have already successfully proven our approach on numerous occasions.
Our aim is to satisfy sellers, employees and buyers alike
Acquisition: 2024
In autumn 2024, Björn Jopen and a partner took over the eCademy of Cornelsen Fachverlag.
Within six months, he successfully implemented restructuring and cost-cutting measures as managing director and stabilised the topline sustainably with the help of Lennart Mohr's expertise. Thanks to close cooperation between management and staff, the company was transformed from a heavily loss-making business into a sustainably profitable one.
Acquisition: 2018
Exit: 2021
autoplenum is one of the leading destinations for car buyers and car enthusiasts in Germany and Austria.
In 2021, the autoplenum group was sold in its entirety to a leading car portal after Björn Jopen spearheaded the acquisition of the portals from ProSieben.
As an operational partner, he and his team oversaw the restructuring until the successful, profitable exit after 2.5 years.
Acquisition: 2020
Exit: 2024
In 2020, shares in DemoUp were acquired from a fund and the former managing directors.
Björn Jopen was a member of the operational advisory board, responsible for building the new management team and instrumental in driving forward the merger with Cliplister.
After five years of strong growth, the company was successfully sold to private equity investor Bregal.
Team
Björn Jopen
Partner
Serial entrepreneur and turnaround manager with a total of over 10 successful exits, including FairControl (to MCI Group), Fit Analytics (to Snap), FaceAdNet (to Ströer), autoplenum (to autoscout24) and DemoUp Cliplister (to Bregal). Currently supports a total of 36 start-ups, incl. Insenio, Traplinked, Cleverly and onepage.io. Brings extensive experience in building, scaling and operationally developing digital business models.
Location: Munich
Lennart Mohr
Partner
Expertise in restructuring, strategy development, and operational transformation based on several years of consulting experience at Roland Berger. Subsequently, held leadership roles in the private equity sector in sales, human resources and value creation at Learnship, Deutsche Glasfaser, eCademy and Aurelius. Combines analytical consulting expertise with practical implementation skills.
Location: Hamburg
Laurids Aigner
Partner
Consulting background in restructuring and performance improvement as Associate Partner at Roland Berger and AlixPartners. Supported medium-sized companies, DAX-listed corporations and public institutions during complex transformations with a clear focus on sustainable stabilization and effective earnings improvements.
Location: Berlin
Dominik Stein
Advisor/Capital Partner
Extensive experience in private equity through senior roles as Partner at EQT, previously working in the private equity practice at McKinsey. Focus on strategic development, organizational design and sustainable value creation. Supports companies in growth, scaling initiatives and technology-driven transformation.
Location: Munich
