Operating depth for the technical companies you back.
Investors in San Diego back science, devices and defence technology, where the founders are experts and the company around them is often thin. Operators who understand regulated, long-cycle businesses are rare and worth having close.
When a holding needs more than capital
The need takes one of four forms:
An operator's eye on diligence
Someone who has run a company of this type and can judge whether the plan survives contact with regulators, customers and the calendar.
A holding has lost a key function
The finance lead has left, a financing is near, and a permanent search would take longer than the cash allows.
The board needs commercial judgement
Directors know the science and the investment case, and fewer have taken a product to market.
The plan needs a named owner
The value plan exists. What is missing is a person accountable for delivering it.
For San Diego investors, we find an operator in our collective of 800+ to run alongside a life science or defence portfolio company. We do diligence, interim cover and independent board seats, on terms that finish cleanly once the job is complete.
Who this is for, and who it is not
Best for
- Adding operational value to investees without taking on management risk
- Giving founders a vetted operator you can refer with confidence
- Supporting several portfolio companies from one standing relationship
- Professionalising an investee while respecting its existing culture
- Staying in your governance role while the engagement is run for you
Not for
- Installing a controlling manager to run the company for you
- A single one-off introduction with no ongoing oversight
- Investors who want to direct day-to-day operations themselves
- A freelancer directory rather than a managed engagement
Working with San Diego investors
One brief from you, with our oversight around the holding and the executive for the length of the engagement.
Agreed lines, regular checks
We agree who the executive answers to, then check in with investor and company on a set rhythm.
Breadth across the collective
Executives can draw on 800+ operators when a holding's problem is regulatory, technical or commercial.
Briefs kept current
Each holding's brief is kept up to date by us, so a later search starts from what is true now.
Discreet by default
A strategic or minority investor often needs a quiet independent view. We match for discretion.
The partnership model
One relationship. Portfolio-wide coverage.
Establish the standing relationship
We understand your investment thesis, your portfolio, and the types of leadership gaps most common across your investments.
You introduce us when needed
When a portfolio company needs operational leadership, you make the introduction. We handle everything else.
The right operator, fast
Discovery, matching, scoping, engagement management, and ongoing oversight, without you managing or coordinating it.
Visibility without burden
Lightweight reporting to you, not operational detail, but confidence that the engagement is performing. Investor-grade oversight without investor-level involvement.
Support by investor type
Different investors carry different portfolio needs. We match the operator to the need and manage the engagement, so it never lands back on you.
The operators we embed in your portfolio companies
Every operator is matched to the portfolio company's stage, sector and challenge.
Our executives have worked across
