Amira secures majority stake in fast-growing firm after swift deal
Marcus Berger: To be honest, it wasn't all that difficult. And to be completely frank: we never actually set out to do this. For some time now, we've been regularly approached by international private equity investors expressing interest in us. Amira, a German investment fund, first reached out to us two years ago. Last summer, those discussions intensified, and we quickly realized we were a good fit. The deal was finalized in just three months.
Why did you choose a European private equity partner instead of one from the U.S.?
For us, it wasn't just about the moneyâit was primarily about whether an investor aligned with our values and our culture. How they wanted to contribute and how much control they sought to exert. Naturally, a German fund represented the less risky option in that regard.
You and your two co-founders have given up your majority stake in the company. How easy was that decision?
It's a big stepânot just legally, because you can no longer make certain decisions alone, but emotionally as well. Aviloo is a company we've built over nine years. In many ways, it's like our baby, more than just a business. And now, even though we remain in management, we've handed over ultimate decision-making authority to others. That's an emotional challenge, no doubt.
Why did you decide to relinquish the majority?
The first reason is that we've poured an enormous amount of time and energy into this company. For us, this was an opportunity to monetize that effort. The second motivation was that with Amira, we now have a partner on board who brings the firepower needed for our next expansion steps into the U.S. and China.
