WHY OCTOBER ?
Name denotes revolution and change. It stems from the revolutionary century we
are in now. i.e. Information Revolution as opposed to the previous Industrial Revolution. October,in the history of mankind, has always been the month of revolutionary changes both political and economic such as Boshelvik and Mao's revolution in Russia and China respectively . The world 1929, 1987, 1989 and 1997 stock market crash and plunges also occured in October.Positively, the tenth month of the year has marked the end of nine bear markets since World War Two. Thus, October symbolises change and reflects the fact that the only certainty during these times is change. As a private equity partnership, we like change as it symbolises opportunities.
INVESTMENT APPROACH
We are a boutique hands-on private equity partnership that focuses on any business that epitomises the human intellectual spirit of entreprise with a unique selling proposition. We have a special focus in emerging markets. We like mid-term mezannine business with capable management teams possessing entrepreneurial vision, drive and pertinent experience . We also like products or service offerings which address dynamic markets with high growth rates and substantial size. Companies should have a market presence or niche in the appropriate industry with comparative advantages. We prefer MBO (Management Buy Out) and business buy-out opportunities.Typically we are the lead investor, but we will syndicate, co-lead or co-invest based on business needs. We pay particular attention to superior working business model that differentiates it from the norm.
We also take financial stakes in pre-IPO, IPO and post IPO listed companies listed in the stock markets of Asia as medium to long term value investments which have what we call success ingredients.
WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR IN HUMAN TALENT ?
Our yardstick for guaging human talent is predicated on three key imperatives in the entrepreneur:
1.Integrity: means honesty.
2.Insight: means core competence.
3.Intuition: means business acumen and judgement.
OUR VALUE PROPOSITION
Our philosophy on entrepreneurial investing is that money is only just one item in what we can value add. We often take on the role ,as a company's financial strategist and corporate therapist , who provides support and confidence to a fledging team. As a board member, we have the experience, contacts and leverage to help take the investee company to the next step and beyond. We know that entrepreneurs are exceptional individuals possessing energy, drive, vision and should have sufficently large enough stakes in their companies that can generate great wealth for all.We want to work with them in a complementary role.
OUR EQUITY STAKE
Our investments may comprise of controlling and non-controlling interest in investee companies. We primarily focus on non-listed companies. However, in certain circumstances, we do participate in listed companies with private equity characteristics. Generally, conceptual start-ups with unproven products and / or markets are not within our investment parameters.
INVESTMENT GOALS
We aim to provide significant capital gains for our investors through a combination of human and capital resources that will have a materially better positive risk/reward ratio than passive investment. We are not a mere provider of funds. Instead, we add value through financial, business, marketing contacts and professional skills to enhance the organisation's core competence. Over the years, we have established firm and professional relationships with our investee companies which are based on mutual trust,discretion, respect and common purpose.
OUR TEAM
Our partners including general and limited partners, associates and advisers have an average of over 18 years of operational hands on experience in marketing, finance, strategic development and general management. Our team can provide the depth and breadth of talent that an entrepreneur so often needs.
To sum up, the cumulative skill set of the October team includes the four basic but critical elements key to entrepreneurial success in the 21st century - operational expertise, global business development, extensive venture investing and business networking.
INVESTMENT TIME HORIZON
Unlike a typical fund with limited life and time pressure to commit its investments, we position ourselves as an investment holding concept. Thus, we only invest our people and capital resources when the right investment opportunity comes along which we regard as having potential to be a 'home-run' .We are not compelled to utilise our investors' money for the sake of doing a deal. Our investment horizon is medium to long term and our exit is achieved through trade sale; merger into a bigger group; injection into a listed entity in any of the Exchanges round the world and possibly IPO.
OUR NETWORK
With our network of affiliates in Singapore , Shanghai and San Francisco, we believe we can offer a compelling story of past and future success to every one of our investee companies.
CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY
Our corporate philosophy can be summed up very clearly:
"We create wealth together". This is not just for our investors but our founders,shareholders, customers, management and employees.Thus a win-win for all parties.
