Niklas James started off as a self-funded searcher, but evolved into being an independent sponsor of 7 acquisitions. 

Topics in Niklas’s interview:

• Why he returned the funds raised for his traditional search fund
• How the painful challenges of his first acquisition set him up for success on later deals
• Why SaaS isn’t as sexy as it seems
• Evolution from self-funded searcher to independent sponsor
• Definition of an independent sponsor
• Why HVAC is so attractive
• Growing his home services business
• What type of person should consider independent sponsorship
• The difference between searchers and independent sponsors
• The difference between a holdco and independent sponsorship

Links and how to contact Niklas:

• [email protected]
• LinkedIn
• McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference

Buy your ticket to the ETA conference devoted to self-funded search:

• The Self-Funded Search Conference (Sep 30 & Oct 1 in Dallas)

Learn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:

• The Acquisition Lab

Connect with Acquiring Minds:

• See past + future interviews on the YouTube channel
• Connect with host Will Smith on LinkedIn
• Follow Will on Twitter