a2e’s operations closely resemble those of a traditional London Merchant Bank, but with an entrepreneurial perspective and a distinctive focus and ethos.

We invest in or acquire underperforming Mid-market industrial companies. Our aim is to affect a transformation of the key fundamentals of the businesses, thus “enabling/revitalising” the corporates and empowering the managers to prosper in the global marketplace. An inspirational and sustainable investment model, fit for the 21st Century….applied with passion and integrity….

The three prongs of the transformative process are: an astute strategic assessment of a business’s competences/competitive environment, an entrepreneurial deployment of our own funds and a robust alignment of our execution/management capabilities and respective interests.

Since inception in 2001, a2e has distinctly "embraced" investing in or acquiring Mid-market industrial/ manufacturing businesses, in special situations such as turnarounds, stagnant businesses, shareholder conflicts or exits, financial distress and businesses poised for substantial growth. 

Zaffron is a rare and special flower with a distinctive aroma and therapeutic qualities. Grown in the regions surrounding Birjand in North East Iran, its unique properties are prized worldwide.

We see great opportunity in this challenging and contrarian niche, in which only very few others dare to get involved.

We can "unlock" the potential, preserve and enhance wealth by deploying a2e’s entrepreneurial flair, as augmented by a high level of expertise and involvement.

For centuries a source of wealth, Zaffron flower needs a delicate and an expert nurturing process to produce the highly prized Saffron.

Typically 10 Kilos of flowers yield only 10 grammes of Saffron… which is more expensive than gold/ platinum 

Our potent expertise, "enabling" ethos and sharing of the rewards with all stakeholders brings together the three "pillars" of success, i.e. Strategic expertise, Funds to invest and Execution capability in a co-ordinated fashion... Our ability to act decisively, effectively and speedily, significantly differentiates us from others.

a2e’s impressive progress and track record is due to this all-encompassing approach and our entrepreneurial perspective to creating value/wealth for Mid-market businesses and shareholders. Our Academy of Executives, consisting of “seasoned” and successful industrialists/CEO’s is a source of inspiration and sound/creative advice to a2e’s portfolio company managers.

Persepolis - the glorious capital of the Persion Empire, the first and the greatest of such empires ever created… Persepolis was not a fortress but a celebration of created wealth/ nurtured culture/ developed science and togetherness of 23 nations… It was the embodiment of the vision of the Great Persian Kings of Kings, Cyrus and Darius I, painstakingly built with the collective passion of circa 20,000 devoted artisans, architects, nobleman and soldiers from all corners of the Empire.

The anatomy of a2e’s operations, fundamentally distinguishes us from others. In addition, the following characteristics enhance our unique proposition.

• We mainly invest on a selective basis, in businesses with a neglected industrial brand and/ or in special situations. We are a long term value investor with no predetermined parameter or exit timetable.
• We inspire the people within the business and help them develop a shared strategic vision and a road map to wealth creation, tailored to the business's strengths.
• Wealth is created by empowering the managers to invest in/upgrade the business fundamentals and to create sustainable competitive edges fit for the Global marketplace.
• We create alignment of objectives with the managers  and other stakeholders by sharing the rewards and we are cognisant of preserving the best features of a business including the loyalty of the people.

a2e is unrivalled because it has an "enabling" ethos, deploying the key pillars of successful investing (see below) in Mid-market businesses.

Uniquely we focus on "shareholder strategy" first and foremost... This would naturally determine the investment parameters, risk appetite and at the outset, a clear path to enhancing value.

The vision for the business and the corporate strategy is then determined firmly within this context. A key attribute of a2e is its vast experience and expertise in evaluating, determining and implementing appropriate shareholder AND Corporate strategies.

We deploy our own funds to invest as equity and debt in Mid-market companies. The ability to commit funds quickly is a most effective way to invest in/acquire underperforming/hyper-growth businesses and a major differentiating feature of a2e. In many such circumstances, raising funds from third parties is time consuming and is often futile.

As businesses grow and develop complex operations and need to cope with challenging market conditions, the ability to implement a chosen shareholder or corporate strategy is paramount in achieving the desired results. At a2e, our in-house expertise is augmented by an Academy of Executives – effectively a panel of Industry Experts together with an “Advisory Board”. We believe this is a "potent" force to reckon with, as our track record demonstrates.

Industrial Expertise >