AaltoPEC x Sponsor Capital: 3 Key Insights From PE Fund Night
Aalto Private Equity Club had a pleasure to invite our partner Sponsor Capital to Private Equity Fund Night, an event dedicated to discussing Private Equity Funds’ founding process and lifecycle. The evening was a success with an abundance of participants and insightful conversations with Sponsor Capital’s management and investment professionals. Read AaltoPEC’s three key insights from the event. You can also find Sponsor Capital’s presentation materials regarding establishing a PE fund at the end of the post.
1. There is no single path to become an investment professional
Sponsor Capital’s investment professionals Jussi Seppälä and Sofia Nyberg highlighted the fact that there is no specific path to the Private Equity industry. The most important thing is the skillset the individual possesses.
“I encourage everyone to explore different fields, companies and even academic paths. This can expand your toolkit which is especially useful for students starting their career.”
2. Team’s commitment and drive are crucial for a successful PE company
Sponsor’s current CEO Juhani Kalliovaara mentioned several times that it is vital to have well-functioning investment teams in order to establish and maintain trust in the eyes of the investors.
“Naturally, a solid track record is a major selling point. However, creating a strong track record requires a talented team who enjoys their work. Especially, the fund-raising phase is always challenging and it really tests the know-how of the team.”
3. Competition within the PE industry in Finland has been and always will be fierce
“Investors expect us to maintain our investment strategy from one fund to another. This means that when we are selecting the portfolio companies for a fund, we need to be mindful of our choices. It is not hard to find some firms to invest in, but it is very difficult to find the best possible firms.”
If you want to learn more about how to establish a PE fund, check out the following material:
Sponsor Capital & AaltoPEC - Private Equity Fund Night 2022 slides.pdf