For advisers and brokers.
A funded buyer of Australian services businesses with $2M–$5M EBITDA. Quick to respond, straightforward to deal with, able to close.
What we buy
Size
$2M–$5M EBITDA; typically $10M–$50M revenue. Smaller add-ons in our sectors.
Margins & cash
Good cash conversion. Asset-light. Fixable lower margins are welcome.
Revenue
Recurring, scheduled or contracted. No single customer above 15%.
Track record
No startups. Multiple years of stable profit and long term customers.
Management
A GM or management layer in place, or an owner willing to stay through a transition.
Sectors
TIC; ageing/care; facilities services; safety compliance; Industrial & Field Services
Geography
Australia-wide; east coast preferred. Multi-site and route-density businesses of particular interest.
Structure
Full or majority sale. Rollover available.
Situations we buy
- Founder succession
- Family businesses
- Management buyouts
- Sponsor secondaries
- Processes that didn’t complete
Situations we don’t buy
- Corporate carve-outs
- Turnarounds
- Start-ups and pre-profit businesses
- Project or tender-based revenue
- Capital-intensive businesses
- Construction, hospitality, retail
How we work with advisers
Fast, honest first response
A view on any teaser within two business days. If it’s a no, you’ll hear why.
Indicative offer within three weeks
IM and a management conversation, then a written offer and structure. Comfortable in a run process and will work to your timetable.
Proof of funds before exclusivity
Committed equity and arranged debt, evidenced on NBIO submission.
Confirmatory diligence in 6–8 weeks
Scope agreed up front. No re-trading without a reason we can show you.
Straight dealing throughout
One point of contact. A transition plan the management team can see themselves in.
Funding and structure
Committed capital
A private syndicate of committed capital SME investment funds and private investors. Capacity for transactions up to $30M. Debt arranged with Australian lenders.
Flexible structures
Full or majority acquisitions. Vendor rollover welcomed. Earn-outs for risk sharing or to bridge price expectation gaps.
Management stays
Management equity plan from day one. Hugh works as an active board member and operating partner, not a replacement CEO.
Process record
100+ opportunities reviewed
Across brokered and off-market processes since 2024.
Completed, 2025
Co-investor and board member in a brokered succession — Sue’s Home Care, below.
References available
Underbidder references available for prior structured bid processes in competitive broker-led processes.
In practice
Sue’s Home Care: a retiring owner’s succession (2025)
A Sydney in-home aged care provider, 70+ nurses and carers, built over 20 years by a founder ready to retire. Searchlight invested alongside the operating partner who now leads the business, and Hugh sits on the board.
- Brokered process. Bid and diligence completed quickly, giving the seller and adviser certainty of close.
- One-year owner transition. New CEO installed, management team retained.
- Risk-sharing structure. Seamless transition for staff and clients.
Searchlight’s role: investor and board member, alongside a new CEO with prior industry experience.
Target profile
Acquisition criteria and track record, for circulation.
Representing a business for sale?
Send a teaser and your NDA. It comes directly to Hugh, and you’ll have feedback within two business days.
Get in touch