What does Newton Equity Partners offer?

Search Fund Expertise

Our Partners bring deep, complementary experience across family business, private equity, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and cross-border investing.

This expertise spans the entire lifecycle of Search Fund and Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) success.

Together, we actively source, select, and support exceptional Search Fund entrepreneurs, structure disciplined and transparent investments, and guide SMEs in need of succession through ownership transition, operational improvement, and sustainable growth.

Newton M. Campos, PhD

Newton is one of the most experienced Search Fund investors in emerging economies.

He has personally invested in 18 Search Funds in the Americas, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, with a 77% Searcher success rate, and is currently an investor in 5 acquired Search Fund companies.

As Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at IE Business School and former Academic Director at FGV’s PE & VC Research Center, Newton has spent the last 11 years educating, mentoring, and investing in search entrepreneurs.

Newton authored The Glossary of Search Fund Terms and The Myth of the Idea, and brings a rare combination of global perspective and local insight to every investment decision.

His hands-on approach supports Searchers throughdiligence, and post-acquisition onboarding, growth and exit, ensuring strategic clarity and executional confidence.

VANI NADARAJAH

Vani established Newton Equity Partners' bespoke Searcher selection methodology, and has contributed to the 77% acquisition success rate achieved by Newton Campos across proprietary closed Search Funds to date.

With over 20 years of experience across leadership development, business education and EdTech, at institutions such as Mercer, Yale SOM, IE Business School, the African Leadership University School of Business and Multiverse, she brings world-class expertise in identifying, coaching, and developing entrepreneurial leaders.

She works closely with Searchers during the search phase, shaping strategy, sharpening positioning, building resilience and evaluating deals. Her academic grounding in International Relations and Economics adds another layer of value: assessing macroeconomic, geopolitical, and FX/currency risks in markets worldwide.

LUIS PRADOS

Luis brings over 17 years of financial leadership across Private Equity, M&A, and Asset Management.

At Eneas Alternative Investments, he led the investment department targeting Spanish SMEs with €3M+ EBITDA. He has also managed €1.3B in distressed debt portfolios at Copernicus and held more than 20 Board roles while at Aquila Capital.

His expertise in deal structuring, financial diligence, and portfolio monitoring is at the core of NEP’s disciplined investment approach.

Luis evaluates opportunities across markets, supports capital allocation, and provides governance oversight through to exit, giving LPs clarity, rigor, and confidence.

JOACHIM VON GOETZ

A silent Partner at Newton Equity Partners, Joachim brings over 20 years of experience at the intersection of enterprise software, Artificial Intelligence, and corporate innovation. A global technology strategist and corporate entrepreneur, he has built ventures and ecosystems across Asia, the Americas, and Europe, helping companies harness digital transformation to drive strategic growth.

Joachim's work spans AI enablement, enterprise technology adoption, and organisational change, supporting leadership teams as they integrate next-generation technologies to improve resilience and scalability.

Joachim ensures Newton Equity Partners embeds an AI-first mentality at the firm, while overseeing tech-related due diligence, guiding on the digital risks and opportunities of potential acquisitions.

A Fund of Search Funds presents a distinct investment strategy to those of Venture Capital and Private Equity:

A Fund of Search Funds offers diversified exposure to high-growth, real-economy companies while contributing to local impact and uncovering distinctive opportunities across global markets.

By focusing on SMEs in need of succession, this model captures the growth potential of established businesses in industries poised for long-term expansion. It combines the stability of proven companies with the upside of entrepreneurial leadership.

Through its Fund of Search Funds, Newton Equity Partners acts as a strategic bridge between investors and Search Fund entrepreneurs. We identify, evaluate, and support top-tier Searchers worldwide, providing them with capital, mentorship, and strategic guidance throughout their acquisition and operating journeys.

Our approach gives investors access to a curated, diversified pipeline of high-potential SMEs led by exceptional first-time CEOs, aligning every investment with strong leadership, disciplined execution, and responsible value creation.

What sets Newton Equity Partners apart?

Access

Newton Equity Partners provides investors with access to a global, proprietary pipeline of top-tier Search Fund entrepreneurs from the world’s leading business schools and professional networks. This reach gives our community early exposure to high-quality investment opportunities in SMEs in need of succession, primarily across Europe and the Americas.

Track Record

Our Partners combine deep experience in Search Fund investments, Private Equity, and talent evaluation. To date, we have collectively invested approximately €20 million across 18 Search Funds and six acquisitions. Notably, 77% of our completed Search Fund investments have led to acquisitions, a success rate that reflects our refined methodology and our experience in talent selection, honed for the Search Fund asset class.

Selection

Our disciplined, data-driven selection process identifies the most capable and resilient Search Fund entrepreneurs worldwide. We evaluate each candidate’s leadership potential, operational mindset, and strategic fit to ensure the highest probability of acquiring and scaling successful SMEs. This rigorous approach enhances the likelihood of superior long-term returns.

ESG & Technology

We partner with responsible, tech-savvy Search Fund entrepreneurs who modernise established SMEs through operational excellence, digital transformation, and strong ESG risk management practices. By integrating sustainability and advanced technology, including AI, enhanced systems, and data-driven decision-making tools, we help build companies that are more resilient and adaptive to evolving market environments.

Newton Equity Partners Investment Philosophy

At Newton Equity Partners, we create lasting value for investors by building diversified exposure to the most promising Search Fund entrepreneurs worldwide. Our Fund of Search Funds strategy combines the resilience of established SMEs in need of succession with the growth potential unlocked by exceptional new leaders.

We believe disciplined selection and partnership drive performance. By applying a proven, data-driven approach to Searcher identification, diligence, and post-acquisition support, we enhance risk-adjusted returns and strengthen the foundations of every company we back.

Our model delivers privileged access to a global pipeline of high-quality Search Funds, a space traditionally available only through private networks. Each investment is built on rigorous governance, transparent reporting, and active value creation.

We partner with tech-savvy, responsible entrepreneurs primarily in Europe and the Americas, who modernise SMEs through digital transformation, ESG-inspired risk management, and operational excellence. This combination of financial discipline and innovation ensures that our portfolio companies create sustainable economic and social value across diverse markets.

Guided by our core values — integrity, diligence, partnership, and impact — we provide investors with a structured, institutional-quality platform to participate in the growing Search Fund ecosystem while driving meaningful growth in the real economy.

Risk Management