True operators.
Not passive managers.
We back people who want to get their hands dirty. You'll own the business, run it day to day, and build personal wealth through that ownership. We provide the capital, execution support, strategic guidance and network; you provide the commitment to see it through.
Our model is built on a simple premise: a skilled operator, an established business and supportive capital can deliver outsized returns for everyone. If you have identified a business you want to acquire, we can fund the acquisition and partner with you through the ownership journey.
From first conversation to successful exit.
We back you throughout the entire journey, from sourcing and acquiring a business to ultimately exiting it. Not as distant capital providers, but as genuine partners who have seen this process work and know where the traps are.
Start a conversation
Whether you're considering the path, have a clear thesis in a sector you know well, or have found a business to acquire, come and talk to us. We assess the opportunity with you, quickly and with a clear answer.
Fund the acquisition
You lead the deal. We can assist with valuation, structuring and bidding strategy, and provide the capital to complete it, with an institutional fund behind you: no financing uncertainty, no drawn-out processes.
Operate
You run it. We support. Monthly check-ins, strategic input when you need it, and introductions across our network when they're useful.
Exit
We work together to find the right buyer. The exit is the destination. We plan for it from day one.
Haven't found the business yet? We also fund a small number of dedicated search funds each year, providing a salary, deal support, and access to our deal flow for a 12 to 24 month search. Get in touch.
Entrepreneurs we have backed.
A snapshot of the established businesses acquired and operated across our platform. Each is a live example of the kind of business we fund, and a home for the right bolt-on.
SPL Solutions
SPL Solutions is a Gold Coast based physical security provider established in 1990. It designs, supplies, installs and services electronic security, access control, CCTV and intercom systems, architectural door hardware and locksmithing for residential, commercial and government customers across South East Queensland and Northern NSW.
Kylie Wright
Kylie has nearly three decades of senior leadership experience, including private-equity-backed CEO roles. She was CEO of RepTrak, a reputation intelligence business operating across multiple countries, and led the carve-out of RSA Conference from RSA Security. Earlier roles include COO of World 50 and Co-Head of Global Research at GLG.
AutoLift
AutoLift is a Sydney garage door and gate specialist that supplies, installs and services architectural doors and gates for homeowners, builders, developers and commercial clients. Operating for more than four decades, it also manufactures basement car-park products and backs its installations with ongoing maintenance and repair.
Ashley Alfs
Ashley is a supply chain and operational transformation specialist with experience across advisory and operating roles. She has led end-to-end supply chain transformation programs at MECCA, Deliciou and KPMG, spanning procurement, logistics, warehousing and fulfilment, with direct accountability for global supply chain performance through periods of rapid growth.
Custom Transport Equipment (CTE)
Custom Transport Equipment (CTE) is an Australian custom trailer manufacturer for the heavy transport industry. Based in Drouin, Victoria, it designs and builds specialised open-deck trailers, including drop decks, wideners, tiltslides and supertilts, alongside custom builds tailored to each client's requirements.
Stijn De Vriendt
Stijn brings both executive management and entrepreneurial scaling experience. He spent his early career at Accenture, promoted three times to Senior Manager leading growth, cost and digital transformation projects for major clients, before building a boutique consulting business and driving growth across several private-equity-backed companies.
Sue's Home Care
Sue's Home Care is an Australian owned and operated in-home care and nursing provider serving Sydney since 2014. It supports people of all ages and needs, spanning aged care, disability support, dementia and palliative care, helping clients live independently in the comfort of their own home.
Ryan Ebert
Ryan is an experienced healthcare operator who blends founder experience with senior corporate leadership. He co-founded and led PHW Group, a national occupational health business later acquired by Kieser, co-founded allied health provider Health 2 You, and served as Chief Commercial Officer at Physitrack and Head of Strategy at Bupa.
Safe hands for the next chapter
We work with brokers, accountants, lawyers, and corporate advisors across Australia and New Zealand. Many of the businesses you advise are founder-led, profitable, and without a clear succession solution. We are built for exactly these situations. We bring the flexibility to acquire 100 percent of the business or invest as a partnership.
When you bring us a business, you are dealing with an institutional fund that can move quickly, is commercial and completes. We preserve the legacy of the business your client has built while supporting its people and its future growth.
What we look for
We back entrepreneurs acquiring established, profitable, founder-led businesses across Australia and New Zealand.
Investment focus
Established, profitable, founder-led businesses without a clear path to succession. Typically 10 or more years of trading and profitable in each of the last four years.
Sector focus
We are industry agnostic and invest across a broad range of industries that exhibit attractive end-market characteristics.
Geography
Australia and New Zealand.
The people behind the platform.
Crestline is backed by Five V Capital's investment platform and supported by business owners and operators who have successfully navigated the ETA journey.
Alex Mount
Alex Mount
Alex has over a decade of investment and corporate advisory experience.
Alex joined Crestline at Five V from MA Financial Group (previously Moelis & Company), where he spent 10 years across the firm's corporate advisory and investment management businesses. He advised on public and private M&A transactions, capital raisings and strategic advisory mandates before joining the investing team, where he focused on growth private equity and growth private credit investments. He has led investments across the technology, financial services, consumer, industrials and energy transition sectors.
Prior to joining MA Financial, Alex worked in the Corporate Finance division of KPMG.
Alex holds a Bachelor of Finance from the Australian National University.
Samadhi Pelenda
Samadhi Pelenda
Samadhi has over five years of experience in venture capital and investment banking.
Samadhi joined Crestline at Five V from the investment team at Tidal Ventures, an Australian software and technology venture capital fund. Prior to Tidal, Samadhi was in the FIG team at Macquarie Capital.
Samadhi has a Bachelor of International and Global Studies and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Sydney.
Charlie Lanchester
Charlie Lanchester
Charlie has over 30 years of fund management experience, with deep expertise in Australian and international equities.
Charlie is the Chief Investment Officer at Hearts & Minds Investments. He previously served as Head of Fundamental Australian Active Equities at BlackRock and held senior investment roles at Perpetual Investments, Platinum Asset Management and Schroder Investment Management. Charlie is also an active ETA investor, having supported four acquisitions.
Charlie has a BA (Hons) in Modern History from New College, Oxford, and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Pete Seligman
Pete Seligman
Pete has over 25 years of experience across entrepreneurship through acquisition, business ownership, and the infrastructure sector.
Pete is an experienced acquisition entrepreneur, investor and board director. He has completed five SME acquisitions, served as CEO of three portfolio companies and achieved two full exits and three sell-downs. Earlier in his career, Pete held roles at Stockland and Macquarie after beginning his career in civil engineering and infrastructure project management. He is also an active ETA investor and mentor across Australia, New Zealand and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Pete has a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Business in Finance from the University of Technology Sydney. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed postgraduate study in risk management at Monash University and global management at INSEAD.
Beau Davenport
Beau Davenport
Beau leads Five V Capital’s origination and adviser coverage, a function he has built since joining the firm in 2020. At Crestline, he works closely with business owners, acquisition entrepreneurs and advisers to identify opportunities to acquire and grow established businesses.
Beau has over 15 years of experience across private equity, capital markets and financial services. Prior to joining Five V, he led origination at Pemba Capital Partners, with a focus on financial services, IT services and software. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at S&P Global, working with institutional clients and leading teams across the Pacific. Beau began his career in New York in healthcare equity research at Stifel Nicolaus.
Beau holds a double major in Economics and Spanish from the University of Vermont.
Ed Bigazzi
Ed Bigazzi
Ed has over 20 years of experience across venture capital, start-ups and private equity.
Ed joined Five V in 2020 as the first employee in the Venture Capital strategy. Prior to joining Five V, Ed was the CFO of the fintech company Prospa, joining the company at Seed/Series A stage and seeing it through to IPO on the ASX, raising over $100m in equity capital and $500m in debt capital over the journey. Prior to Prospa, Ed was an Investment Director at Ironbridge, an Australian mid-market private equity investor. Ed started his career at Citigroup Investment Banking, advising private equity clients.
Ed has a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Sydney.
Justin England
Justin England
Justin has over 15 years of global investing and corporate finance experience.
Justin joined Five V from the Australian mid-market PE firm Pemba Capital Partners. Justin commenced his career with KPMG advising companies on M&A, market entry and strategy, working across Australia, Thailand and Myanmar.
Justin has a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology Sydney. He is also a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst.
Ready to acquire?
Let's talk.
243 Liverpool Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Australia