“openthebox has been a game-changer for usˮ

Succession planning is unlocking tremendous opportunities across Europe for businesses and investors alike. WAD Capital, founded by Christopher Tournis Gamble, Steven Coppens and Alain Brossé is leading the way with an innovative approach to empowering entrepreneurial leaders from the outset. By partnering with openthebox, WAD Capital is transforming how succession is managed for Europeʼs SMEs, blending technology, expertise, and a deeply personal touch to deliver exceptional results.

WAD Capitalʼs Innovative Approach

WAD Capitalʼs model stands out for its focus on embedding entrepreneurial leaders, called entrepreneurs-in-residence (EIRs), into the process from the very beginning. These experienced executives are fully involved in sourcing, evaluating, and structuring deals, ensuring they are well-prepared to lead the companies they will eventually manage.

“We view our EIRs as true partners in the investment process,ˮ explains Tournis Gamble. “By involving them from the start, we foster deeper understanding and trust with business owners, which leads to smoother transitions and more meaningful outcomes.ˮ

This approach adds a unique dimension to WAD Capitalʼs strategy, complementing its focus on data-driven decision-making and its commitment to preserving the legacies of the businesses it invests in.

The Challenge

Each year, 450.000 of European businesses face critical succession decisions. SMEs with €1 to 5 million EBITDA represent a particularly vibrant segment of the economy, often thriving operationally but lacking clear transition strategies. WAD Capital recognized a unique opportunity to work with these businesses, offering solutions that build on their strong foundations while ensuring smooth transitions.

Success required a strategy that combined precision, efficiency, and human connection—qualities central to WAD Capitalʼs philosophy.

openthebox: Powering Precision and Scale

To support its ambitious vision, WAD Capital partnered with openthebox,   which enables WAD Capital to:

• Identify Opportunities Quickly Analyze detailed data to pinpoint businesses that align with their investment criteria.
• Empower EIRs with Insights Equip executives with actionable information to engage confidently with potential sellers.
• Scale with Efficiency Achieve the operational capacity of a larger team while maintaining a personal, human touch.

Exceptional Results

In just five months, WAD Capital has achieved remarkable milestones:

• Accelerated the transition lifecycle from 18 to 9 months benefiting the owner seller.
• More precision and identify the best performing SME’s in the market.
• A scalable model driven by data insights and early involvement of EIRs.

The results in impressive number of valuable deal opportunity.  The high number of qualitative discussions led to decision to add more CIR’s to the cohort.These milestones highlight the effectiveness of WAD Capitalʼs strategy in combining innovative technology with entrepreneurial leadership.

Key Learnings for WAD Capital

1. ‍Enhancing the EIR Role Early involvement ensures EIRs bring both strategic insights and personal connections to every deal.
2. Data-Driven Decisions Tools like openthebox amplify efficiency and equip teams to build trust quickly with business owners.
3. Preserving Legacies A collaborative, human-centered approach reassures founders their businesses are in good hands.

Conclusion

WAD Capitalʼs innovative partnership with openthebox and its reimagined EIR model are redefining how succession planning is approached for Europeʼs SMEs. By blending technology, expertise, and personal engagement, WAD Capital is delivering exceptional results while preserving the legacies of the businesses it acquires.With 25 companies in legal due diligence and 160 active conversations, WAD Capital is setting a new benchmark in private equity—one built on innovation, trust, and long-term value creation.