Great Western

Overview

Great Western is a South African private investment firm focused on acquiring and partnering with entrepreneur-led companies to consolidate fragmented industries and provide capital advisory services. The firm specializes in acquiring and growing resilient, cash-generative companies across Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa, operating with permanent, operator-led capital without fund deadlines or forced exits. This approach allows founders to exit fully, de-risk, or scale with a patient partner, preserving jobs, culture, and community impact for decades. Great Western seeks founder-friendly deals, offering cash at close, rollover equity, earn-outs, or vendor notes to align interests. They provide operational support in strategy, finance, sales enablement, systems, talent, and governance, without smothering the company's culture. The firm follows a calm, certain process with clear timelines, curated diligence, and minimal disruption to the day-to-day operations. They look for companies with an EBITDA between R10 million and R100 million, a sustainable EBITDA margin of 15% or more, a motivated management team willing to remain, and operate in Southern & Sub-Saharan Africa or Australia. The sectors they focus on are sector agnostic, excluding hospitality and franchises, with a current emphasis on industrial businesses and commercial services. Great Western's portfolio includes DimNiko Agency, a digital marketing services business, and Pets4Africa, a South African veterinary group. Their leadership comprises C-Suite executives and counsel from PwC, Bowmans, Actom, Eskom, and various industry giants, with key figures such as Kishore Kooverjee in Accounting & Finance, Shirley Chauke as an Industry Expert, Johan Brink in Legal, and Péter Harbula as Non-Executive Advisory Chairman. The firm has a proven track record in acquiring and growing sector-leading companies, with over $10 billion in cumulative transactions and more than 10,000 employees managed. They are committed to economic contribution and positive social impact investing, aiming to preserve the legacy of founders while unlocking liquidity and future upside for their portfolio companies.

Investment Focus

• EBITDA between R10 million and R100 million
• Sustainable EBITDA margin of 15% or more
• Motivated management team willing to remain
• Operating in Southern & Sub-Saharan Africa or Australia
• Excluding hospitality and franchises, with a current emphasis on industrial businesses and commercial services

Portfolio Companies