Search funder title

searcher profile

June 01, 2022

by a searcher from McGill University in London, UK

Is there a standard title that searchers should have for their searching companies? Founder, Director, Principal, Managing Partner, etc...

I have seen many called "Managing Partner", but I am a solo searcher so am wondering if "Founder & Managing Director" is more appropriate or if there was some industry norm that I was missing?

0
8
107
Replies
8
commentor profile
Reply by a searcher
from Oklahoma State University in Wichita, KS, USA
I had the same question. Thinking through the two customers during the two major phases of the search. The answer should consider what would they connect too best?

Phase 1: Search Fund formation
Phase 1: Customer = Investors (Managing Partner/Director) seems best

Phase 2: Acquisition
Phase 2: Customer = The Seller (current operator/owner) what would they connect to best? (Founder, CEO, President, maybe Managing Partner if they are a larger more sophisticated company.

What I am very curious about that maybe Stanford GSB could provide is for those successful searchers, what were their titles? Was their a correlation in title and success? It's a small factor but is impactful to the "Customers" of the search.
commentor profile
Reply by a searcher
from IE Business School in Cambridge, UK
A great question. Using the word Partner may be misleading if you are on a solo search. I would not bother with Founder personally unless you're looking to use your search fund to acquire multiple companies.

Go with something that makes it clear you are the key individual in your search process - Managing Director or Managing Principal are probably your best bets IMO.
commentor profile
+6 more replies.
Join the discussion