Anyone seriously consider traditional search and then go self funded?

February 28, 2025
by a searcher from University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business in Santa Monica, CA, USA
Hi all, looking to speak with folks who seriously (got pitched or had regular discussions with) considered partnering with a traditional search partner (e.g., Pacific Lake) and then opted to go self-funded.
Curious about what you saw as major benefits of a traditional search partner outside of capital/runway, and what got you comfortable ultimately going the self-funded route.
Seems like major benefits (outside of capital/runway) are a defined playbook, help with industry filtering, some deal flow, access to experts in industries under diligence, support network during the search, etc.
from Boston University in Melbourne VIC, Australia
from INSEAD in R. Dr. Eduardo de Souza Aranha - Itaim Bibi, São Paulo - SP, Brazil