Aken Capital

Overview

Aken Capital is a family office specializing in managing large assets across various investment classes, focusing on high-potential opportunities in quality businesses. The firm operates in sectors such as technology, media, healthcare, consumer products, and fintech, targeting investments in the United Kingdom, United States, and Latin America. Aken Capital has a proven track record of identifying and partnering with leading entrepreneurs and allies in various industries. The firm's investment strategy encompasses venture capital, private equity, real estate, and capital markets. In venture capital, Aken Capital invests in early-stage companies that have demonstrated proof of concept for their products or services. In private equity, the firm invests directly or through experienced funds, applying its expertise in financing, growth, and cost optimization strategies within the structures invested, with defined exit strategies of 4-5 years. Aken Capital also invests in real estate assets that provide a constant stream of cash flow income over the long term and seeks opportunities in capital markets by investing in securities across the capital structure of companies trading at a deep discount to their intrinsic value. Aken Capital's team comprises professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise. The founder and CEO, Simón Franco, is an industrial engineer with an MBA from Manchester Business School and a certification from Harvard Business School's PE/VC program. He has established more than 20 organizations across Colombia, Panama, Brazil, the UK, and the USA. Fernando Ortiz, the Managing Director, has over 14 years of experience in corporate finance, investment banking, and alternative investments across Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. Iván Guevara, the UK Director, holds multiple advanced degrees, including an LLM in Legal Studies of International Business from the University of Exeter and a Juris Doctor from Cambridge University. Cristina Gamboa, the Investment Manager, is an MBA candidate at London Business School with a background in financial analysis and sustainability. Laura Vega, the Accountant, is a certified public accountant with over 8 years of experience in financial analysis, tax planning, and accounting processes across various sectors. Aken Capital's portfolio includes investments in companies such as Attest, a platform that raised $60 million to expand its no-code approach to research surveys as a service, tapping 110 million consumers in 49 countries. The firm has also been involved in events like the Colombia Family Office & Investors Summit and discussions on investment strategies and asset diversification. Aken Capital's approach emphasizes long-term value creation and cross-border opportunities, leveraging its team's expertise and global network to support innovative ventures poised for significant growth and impact.

Investment Focus

• High potential opportunities with sensitive valuations
• Quality businesses located in the UK, US, and Latin America
• Experienced management teams with relevant industry experience
• Business models with key performance indicators (KPIs) in place
• Operational momentum at critical inflection points

Portfolio Companies