Our story
Built by people who understand the journey.
Gallium Growth was founded on a simple conviction: the best investors in acquisition entrepreneurship are those who have lived the journey themselves.
The firm
Why we built Gallium Growth.
We back a small number of entrepreneurs at a time — so every relationship gets our full attention.
Entrepreneurship through acquisition is one of the most compelling models in business — a structured path for talented individuals to acquire, lead, and grow a company. It takes many forms: the traditional search fund, the self-funded search, the management buyout. What they share is a belief that the right person, given the right business and the right support, can build something enduring.
Gallium Growth was founded by Leonardo Elvas Carvalho and Tiago Neves Paixão with that belief at its core. Both partners bring backgrounds in private equity and strategic advisory, and a shared conviction that the investor-entrepreneur relationship should feel like a genuine partnership — not a transactional one.
We are a focused firm. We back a small number of entrepreneurs at a time, which means every relationship gets our full attention. We are in the room for the hard conversations, the pivotal decisions, and the moments that define an acquisition — whatever form it takes.
Our philosophy
How we think about acquisition entrepreneurship.
ETA is not a passive asset class. It requires active, engaged investors who bring more than capital to the table — people who understand the process from the inside. That is the standard we hold ourselves to.
People first, always.
We invest in people before we invest in businesses. The quality of the entrepreneur — their judgment, resilience, and character — is the single most important variable in any acquisition outcome, regardless of the deal structure.
Partnership over transaction.
We are long-term partners to the entrepreneurs we back. Our involvement does not end at close — it deepens through the operating phase, where the real work of building a business begins.
Conviction in the model.
We believe entrepreneurship through acquisition — in all its forms — is one of the most elegant structures in entrepreneurial finance. We are committed to its growth in Europe and beyond, and to raising the quality of the ecosystem.
Honest, direct counsel.
We tell the entrepreneurs we back what we actually think. That means honest feedback on targets, direct input on deal structure, and candid conversations when the path forward is unclear.
What we look for
The profile of a Gallium Growth entrepreneur.
We do not have a rigid checklist. But there are qualities we see consistently in the people we back — whether they are running a search fund, a self-funded search, or pursuing an MBO.
Intellectual rigour
The ability to think clearly under uncertainty, evaluate businesses with discipline, and make sound decisions with incomplete information.
Operational ambition
A genuine desire to run a business — not just acquire one. The best entrepreneurs are already thinking about how they will lead the company from day one.
Character and integrity
We back people we would want as partners. Trust, transparency, and a strong ethical compass are non-negotiable.
Resilience and adaptability
The acquisition process is long and often humbling. We look for people who can absorb setbacks, adapt their approach, and keep moving forward.
Sector curiosity
We do not require a narrow sector focus, but we do look for genuine intellectual curiosity about industries and business models — the kind that drives great diligence.
Coachability
The willingness to seek input, incorporate feedback, and learn from those who have been through the process before.
Think you might be a fit?
If you are exploring a search fund, a self-funded search, or a management buyout, we would like to hear from you. We are always open to a conversation.