How we transact
Flexible on structure. Firm on stewardship.
Founder-led aquatics businesses have very few natural buyers, which is why most sellers get one bad option. Typical pricing runs 1.5x to 3.5x seller's discretionary earnings depending on how the business is run, and we'll pick the structure that fits the club, the lease and the family.
Earn-In
Our operators earn ownership by running the club and growing it, so incentives line up before anyone gets paid.
Earn-Out
Bridges the gap when a club is worth more than the books currently show. The upside stays with the founder.
Seller Financing
Less cash at close, a real transition period, and a founder who gets paid as the handoff succeeds.
Staged Buyout
Start with a minority or majority stake and finish the buyout once the books are clean and the track record is longer.
Non-Profit Conversion
Structures that respect a board's mission, including capital directed back into the community programs it funded.
Deal-by-Deal Capital
Targeted funding for boilers, build-outs, lease deposits or working capital without loading the club with debt.
How it goes
Four steps, and you can stop at any one of them. Most clubs go from first email to a signed offer in six to ten weeks.
- 01
First conversation
A call with Nils about the club, what you want out of it and what you want to keep. Confidential, and nothing leaves that call.
Week 1
- 02
The basics on the club
Enrollment, dues, pool time and last two years of financials. Enough for us to understand the program without disrupting your season.
Weeks 1 to 2
- 03
Numbers and an offer
We underwrite it, walk you through exactly how we got to the number, and put a structure in front of you: minority, majority, earn-in or earn-out.
Weeks 3 to 5
- 04
Close and keep swimming
Diligence, paperwork and a transition plan built with your coaches. Same name, same staff, same deck, with capital and back-office support behind it.
Weeks 6 to 10