Our approach to private equity gives founders all the benefits of funding and support while continuing to do things their way.

At Copilot Capital, we spend our time meeting and supporting founders at a critical stage in their business journey. They’ve built something remarkable, know their product and market inside out, and have established a strong foundation for growth. They’ve usually reached a point where they know external investment is needed for them to scale, but one concern is holding them back: how to bring in external capital without ceding control in the process?

Building a business requires single-minded determination. When you’ve put your heart and soul into your company, it’s understandably hard to think about giving someone else power over its direction. Fear of losing autonomy or being sidelined can prevent some founders from seeking the support they need to take the next step on their growth journey.

Solving this dilemma is one of the key drivers behind our approach at Copilot, where we believe private equity doesn’t have to come at the cost of control.

Our pitch to founders is simple: you’re the pilot, and we’re the copilot. We want the entrepreneurs and founders we support to remain at the forefront, making all the key decisions and drawing upon our resources and expertise to ease the path to scaling. It’s a partnership, not a takeover.

Here’s how we make that happen.

1. You lead, we support We’re not here to tell you how to run your company - that’s your domain. You’ve built a business that works; our role is to help you steer it in the right direction through strategic advice and support on key growth levers such as expanding sales, international expansion, M&As, and customer acquisition.
2. Providing clarity in capital structure Overly complex capital structures can be a huge distraction, particularly if founders have taken initial funding from friends or family and feel under extra pressure to make returns quickly, or heed their advice on every decision. We work with you to clean up your shareholder base, bringing clarity and simplicity to your capital structure so that you can focus on what you do best - building your product and growing your business.
3. Encouraging calculated risks As a business matures, founders often become more risk-averse. But while the stakes are higher and there’s more to lose, businesses stagnate if they stop taking risks. So we take the financial weight off your shoulders while providing the expertise you need to take the calculated risks most likely to drive growth. With a clear capital structure and our support, you can confidently move forward with new initiatives without feeling like you’re putting your entire company on the line.
4. Bringing M&A expertise Most founders don’t have experience getting deals over the line - and that’s OK. Our team has been through these processes many times before, bringing the expertise to guide you through the complexities of M&A, and helping you navigate the unknowns without forcing any decisions you’re uncomfortable with. We believe the best deals are those where founders are confident and in control. It’s your business, and the decisions must reflect your vision.
5. Investing alongside you Our investment approach isn’t about control. We believe in sharing the journey, ensuring our interests are aligned with yours and that everyone is agreed on and motivated towards the best outcomes for the business. We’re not looking for founders who are eyeing up sun loungers and early retirement. When we invest, we often find that founders take some money off the table for personal needs - whether buying a house or paying for school fees—and then roll the rest into the business alongside us. Working with Copilot is a true collaboration where our success is tied to yours.

A big part of making all this happen is having the right conversations early on. Before we finalise the investment, we make sure we’re aligned on the vision and goals for the business, which means not just putting money on the table but building a plan that makes sense for both parties and a partnership that works from day one.

Ultimately, our goal is to empower founders, not control them. You know your business better than anyone, and our job is to support your vision, not replace it. By offering strategic guidance, simplifying the finances, helping with talent acquisition, and navigating complex processes like M&A, we allow you to stay focused on what really matters: leading your company.