Our investment strategy
Waterland Private Equity adopts a ‘buy-and-build’ investment strategy, focusing on supporting successful companies in fragmented and growing markets. This approach involves partnering with management teams to accelerate growth through both organic development and targeted acquisitions. Waterland provides hands-on support in areas such as acquisitions, financing, and organizational development, while allowing the management team to maintain control over daily operations.
Our entrepreneurial spirit
We back people and their ideas – recognizing that the heroes in every story are the entrepreneurs behind the business. We choose to take a collaborative approach with our partners because we truly believe that the key to success lies in partnership and working towards a shared ambition.
At Waterland, we focus on partnerships and diversity of experiences and backgrounds. Many of our senior team have run and founded their own businesses, which I believe makes us better business partners. My own experience, as an entrepreneur, has afforded me different perspectives that I can now draw on to support our CEOs and management teams.
Our unique methodology
Our strategy is tailored to the needs and situation of our portfolio companies and is based on three main pillars.
Buy-and-build strategy
As part of our buy-and-build strategy, we integrate add-on acquisitions into our portfolio companies to strengthen the position of the company and to create opportunities to grow and attract new talent. We actively support the company to execute the strategic growth plan, often combining organic growth with targeted acquisitions. These ‘add-on’ acquisitions are not as much a goal as they are a catalyst to accelerate the journey towards the ultimate goal: growth and success.
Proactive deal sourcing
At Waterland, we proactively search for opportunities that fit our vision. We take the same philosophy to our portfolio companies, helping them grow by proactively finding deals that fit their values and needs. Waterland can play a key role in helping companies achieve accelerated growth through consolidation by providing expansion capital, know-how and pro-active and hands-on strategic and operational support.
Tailor-made & flexible
Part of why our strategy is so successful is its flexibility. We understand like no other that industries and the world are changing every day. Because of that understanding, we ensure that we keep a close eye on the results, constantly measuring the outcome and impact of what we do. That way, we can adjust our strategy if necessary.
Our investors
Our investors share our vision on long-term value creation. That is why we have partnerships with many leading international institutional investors such as corporate and state pension funds, financial institutions, endowments, foundations and other leading institutions.
To date, Waterland has raised over €14 billion in commitments. Following Waterland Fund VIII with commitments of €2.7 billion, we are currently investing Waterland Fund IX, which has commitments of €3.6 billion.
Our investment themes
We have always focused on a clear set of macro-economic themes, driving long-term change in company and consumer behavior. These themes guide us to markets that have a solid economic foundation and display the potential for long-term growth. Within each of our four themes you find listed below, we invest in a large variety of companies that convert that solid foundation into strong businesses.
Outsourcing & digitalization
Waterland invests in outsourcing and digitalization because we consider them as essential components for driving operational excellence, fostering innovation and ensuring long-term success in today’s dynamic business environment.
Aging population
Waterland’s investment focus on an aging population reflects our recognition of the growing market opportunities and the need for innovative solutions to meet the evolving health and lifestyle needs of seniors.
Leisure & wellbeing
Waterland’s investment strategy in the leisure & wellbeing sector reflects our understanding of the continued consumer focus on enhancing overall quality of life.
Sustainability
Waterland’s investment focus on sustainability acknowledges the critical need to address environmental challenges and to support businesses that offer solutions for a more sustainable future.
People first
The combination of entrepreneurship, financial resources and added value always results in strong and synergetic teamwork. Our vast experience in growth equity has given us a feel for what works and put us in the perfect position to help you grow sustainably.
That being said, we believe that a private equity project can only be successful when we can start from trust and great teamwork. Because of that, we put great focus on selecting the right team for your industry and business. Furthermore, we work in a collaborative environment, so you can be sure that our experts are all open and ready to be inspired by you, but that they are just as ready to give you the tools and knowledge you need to succeed.
Our collaboration with Waterland is about honesty and transparency, and the ability to jointly work on a shared vision. The professionalism, knowledge and support of the Waterland team are instrumental for the joint success.
Our values
ENTREPRENEURIAL
Powered by ambitious thinking, creativity, perseverance and dynamic execution: we think innovatively and ambitiously to drive sustainable growth for our portfolio companies.
COLLABORATIVE
Working together for maximum impact: collaboration is key to building resilient companies. We work hand in hand, embrace diverse thinking and combine different skillsets to achieve the best results with our partners.
RESPONSIBLE
Committed to promoting responsible investments: focusing on the quality of services and/or products offered by our portfolio companies while diligently assessing and mitigating risks.
PASSIONATE
Driven by our passion to create lasting success: we approach every aspect of our buy-and-build strategies with dedication to achieve the best results.
CONSIDERED
A thoughtful and measured approach that leads to well-informed decisions: we scrutinize our actions and conduct thorough due diligence to ensure well-informed investment decisions.