Questions & answers.

We Buy Your Fund was founded by Colin Groos and Michiel Stokman, technology entrepreneurs and founders of BOTS Capital. Since 2017, they have been building businesses at the intersection of technology, investing and regulated financial services.

We are specialists in this industry, sit on advisory boards and have built a broad European network across fund management, technology, regulation, distribution and capital.

That experience means we understand not only what a fund looks like on paper, but what it takes to build, operate, grow and ultimately transfer one.

Our background in BOTS Capital is precisely one of the reasons we understand this market so well.

In M&A, network matters. Transactions are rarely created by simply putting an asset on the market. They happen through relationships, trust, the right introductions and recognising opportunities that others may not see. Our network and experience allow us to identify combinations, buyers, partners and opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

At the same time, that position comes with responsibility. Information shared with We Buy Your Fund is treated as strictly confidential and is never used to create a commercial, investment or competitive advantage for BOTS Capital or another business in which we are involved.

Our principle is simple: use our knowledge and network to create opportunities, while protecting the information entrusted to us.

Discretion is fundamental to what we do.

Information provided to us is used solely for evaluating, structuring and executing a potential transaction. Access to sensitive information is restricted to those directly involved, and external advisers or transaction partners only receive information where necessary and under appropriate confidentiality obligations.

We understand that you may be sharing highly sensitive information about investors, assets, revenues, costs, regulatory matters and future plans. That information stays protected throughout the process.

Not because of us.

Initial discussions can take place on a strictly confidential basis and without approaching investors, employees, service providers or other stakeholders.

Together, we determine when particular parties need to become involved. You remain in control of that process for as long as practically and legally possible.

The first conversation is simply about understanding your fund, its structure and what you would ideally like to achieve.

If there appears to be a potential fit, we can quickly move to an initial assessment. Only when both sides see a realistic path forward do we move into more detailed information, due diligence and transaction structuring.

A first conversation does not commit you to anything.

That is completely fine.

Many conversations start long before a fund is formally for sale. Sometimes the outcome is a transaction; sometimes a merger, partnership or introduction; and sometimes the conclusion is simply that selling now does not make sense.

A confidential conversation can help you understand your options, potential value and what an eventual transaction could look like.

No.

We look at much more than current profitability. A fund may have valuable regulatory structures, assets under management, investors, distribution, technology, a track record, a capable team or strategic value within a larger platform.

Sometimes the reason a fund is difficult to operate independently is precisely what makes it valuable as part of something larger.

Size alone does not determine whether a transaction makes sense.

Smaller funds can be particularly interesting when they have a sound structure, loyal investors, an attractive strategy, regulatory positioning or other strategic value.

We assess the complete picture rather than applying a simple minimum-AUM rule.

That does not automatically prevent a transaction.

We understand that fixed regulatory, administrative, compliance and operational costs can make smaller funds economically difficult to maintain. A different owner or larger platform may have a very different cost structure.

We therefore look at the underlying and strategic value of the fund, not just its current P&L.

There is no single multiple that works for every fund.

We consider factors including AUM, revenues, profitability, investor base, retention, track record, regulatory structure, strategy, distribution, operational setup, growth potential and strategic value to a potential buyer.

In some situations, strategic value can be considerably more important than current earnings.

Not necessarily.

Some founders want a complete exit. Others prefer to remain involved as a fund manager, adviser, shareholder or ambassador for a period of time.

The transaction can be structured around what makes sense for the fund, its investors, the buyer and you personally.

Protecting continuity for investors is an important part of any transaction.

The exact process depends on the fund structure, jurisdiction and transaction, but the objective is a controlled transition with as little disruption as reasonably possible.

We understand that for many fund managers, their reputation and relationship with investors is just as important as the financial outcome of the transaction.

No.

Price matters, but it is only one part of a successful transaction. Regulatory suitability, certainty of execution, continuity, reputation and the future of the fund can be equally important.

Our network allows us to look for the right transaction, not simply the first transaction.

Every transaction is different, particularly where regulatory approvals or changes are required.

What we can control is our own process. We work with short communication lines, direct access to decision-makers and an experienced network of legal, regulatory, financial and transaction specialists.

Our objective is to remove unnecessary delay and move from first conversation to clarity as quickly as possible.

No. We do not charge the selling fund manager an advisory or success fee. Our economics are covered by the buyer side of the transaction.

That means you can explore whether a transaction is possible without first committing to an expensive M&A process.

You can, and for some transactions that will absolutely be the right approach.

We Buy Your Fund is different because we combine M&A with direct industry experience. We have built and operated financial businesses ourselves, understand regulated fund structures and have relationships with people operating inside this market.

Our focus is not on billion-euro AUM funds. Transactions at that scale often require highly complex, lengthy and costly due diligence, extensive negotiations and large advisory teams. That is not our core focus.

We work best where clarity, speed and results matter. We understand the business, identify the real issues quickly, bring the right people to the table and focus on getting a workable transaction done.

Our industry experience and network also mean we can often see opportunities and combinations that are difficult to identify from the outside.

Access creates opportunities. Relationships create transactions. Trust gets them completed.

Yes. While this website focuses primarily on acquiring funds, our expertise goes beyond transactions in which we are the buyer.

We can also work alongside entrepreneurs, fund managers, financial groups and investors looking to acquire a fund, merge with another business, find a strategic partner or explore other forms of consolidation.

The same expertise applies: understanding where value lies, finding the right counterparties, structuring the opportunity and bringing the right people together.

If you are looking to acquire rather than sell, we are happy to discuss what you are looking for and whether we can help.

Talk to us anyway. A quick call never hurts.

Not every opportunity will be one we can or should handle ourselves. But chances are we know someone who can. Over the years, we have built a broad network across fund management, investment, M&A, regulation, technology and capital.

If someone else is better placed to help, we are happy to make the right introduction.

Acquisition, sale, merger, partnership or something less conventional — sometimes a 15-minute conversation is all it takes to find the right direction.

Yes. This is one of the areas where our background adds something different.

We have extensive experience where technology meets AIFMD, MiFID, risk management, compliance and commercial fund operations, supported by a strong network of specialist partners.

Technology is often complex, however, and is usually not something we want to make part of an M&A process. The first objective is to keep the transaction clear, focused and executable.

That said, sometimes we see relatively straightforward opportunities to substantially improve a fund — reducing operating costs, improving risk management, automating processes or strengthening its commercial capabilities. In those cases, we can help directly or bring in the right technology and specialist partners.

Sometimes the opportunity is not just in buying, selling or merging a fund, but in making the fund better first.