Post by Fortino Capital

🎙️ Yesterday, our founder Duco Sickinghe joined BNR Zakendoen ( Dutch newsradio) to discuss the evolving landscape of private equity, software investing, and the impact of AI. At a time when parts of the private equity market are facing challenges - from delayed exits to liquidity constraints - Fortino Capital successfully raised its largest fund to date.   Some key takeaways from the conversation:   * 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 – Fortino was built by former operators, not just financial professionals. We partner with entrepreneurs as peers who understand the realities of building and scaling companies.   * 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐁2𝐁 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 – Our portfolio consists of high-growth software companies, typically growing 30–40%, where value creation comes from long-term operational improvement.   * 𝐍𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐭 – Unlike many in private equity, we invest without leverage, allowing companies to reinvest aggressively in growth without financial pressure.   * 𝐋𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 – Our priority remains delivering strong returns to investors, while balancing timing and long-term value creation.   *𝐀𝐈 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 – We are moving from software that supports people to software that executes work. This will fundamentally reshape business models - and potentially employment.   * 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – Even with uncertainty, we believe leaders should act when there is a meaningful probability of impact - not wait for full certainty.   * 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 – Talent, capital, and innovation are present. The opportunity lies in scaling companies effectively in a rapidly changing environment.   🙏 A big thank you to BNR Nieuwsradio for the conversation. Thomas van Zijl Bavo Oost #PrivateEquity #AI #FortinoCapital https://lnkd.in/enFSw_EY