our story
Rooted in tradition.
Honouring heritage
The name “Carvano” pays homage to Carlos Achadinha Snr and Silvano De Gouveia. Through a shared ambition, these two Portuguese immigrants from the tiny island of Madeira became entrusted friends and business partners in the late 1970s. The lessons imparted from the like-minded entrepreneurs form the strongly rooted principles which we embody: Hard-work, Respect and Humility.
Fast-forward to today, their legacy of finding opportunities lives on as we invest in thriving businesses ready to unlock value.
Driven by vision.
Building legacies
Our combined experience spans over 45 years. A unique blend of successfully scaling a small business into a nation-wide retailer, complemented with a deep understanding of finance and governance.
We aren’t your ordinary private equity firm. We are a business partner with a profound understanding of the challenges involved in growing a business. Our unique background and hands-on approach empowers entrepreneurs in their growth journey.
Why us?
Choosing an investor is no easy decision. Here’s why you should partner with us:
Valuable collaboration
We actively support our partners by leveraging an extensive network of businesses, HNWIs & Family Offices. Our assistance extends to streamlining operations and providing access to industry-expertise throughout your growth journey.
Entrepreneurial experience
We empathise and fully understand the sacrifices, risks, and passion inherent in your business's growth. Our successful track-record offers guidance amid uncertainty.
Investment philosophy
Our commitment to a long-term partnership, coupled with a less dilutive approach, positions us as the ideal candidate to elevate your business to the next level, safeguarding your legacy and ensuring a smooth transition.
Investment philosophy
Cultivating growth, preserving legacy.
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Our starting point is to first seek to understand what is important to the owner in a transaction. Whether it is seizing opportunities or making your business “sales fit”.
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We opt for a collaborative approach, offering strategic guidance and financial expertise while respecting the autonomy of the current management.
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We seek aligned incentives through minority ownership, avoiding short-term thinking at the expense of long-term sustainable growth. This includes avoiding aggressive restructures or absorptions, protecting your legacy.
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A strong emphasis on long-term partnerships, patient capital with a 10+ year horizon. We are not here to takeover; but rather to learn, share our experience and work together in achieving your goals.
Interested to find out more?
Who are we looking for?
We invest in excellent South African businesses.
We focus on owner managed medium-to-large sized businesses ready to unlock value
We work alongside founders who understand the value in collaboration and partnerships.
We invest in businesses with solid fundamentals, demonstrating a track record of robust profitability and strong earnings to cash generation.
Our sector-agnostic approach offers flexibility, with a preference for B2B, however, this is not a mandatory criterion.
Interested in working with us?