Safeguarding legacies.

RYAN BERNSMANN

An accomplished military veteran, Ryan’s family roots are in small business entrepreneurship. After completing a successful military career, obtaining an INSEAD MBA, and spending some time at Microsoft, Ryan decided to return to these roots with SMEVentures, where he is now looking for a business to buy and run for years to come.

ROB GAUNT

Born in South Africa, Rob came to Australia at age eight when his family emigrated to secure a long term future for us the family. Following in his family’s entrepreneurial footsteps, he cut his teeth selling copiers on commission only early in his career and worked his way up to CEO of Marine Rescue Technologies in the UK. After completing his MBA at Macquarie University and partnering with SMEVentures, Rob is now owner and CEO of ACE Training in Victoria.

STEVE ORELL

After co-founding two companies of his own and leading teams at some of Australia’s most prominent organisations, Steve is now looking for a business to acquire and operate for the next decade or more. He holds an MBA from Duke University and a Bachelor of Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Adelaide.

JAKE NICHOLSON

A veteran of the search fund model, Jake has coached dozens of entrepreneurs to successful business buyouts around the world. Accordingly, he designed SMEVentures with the objective of bringing together top-notch entrepreneurs with great businesses in need of succession solutions. Jake also serves as entrepreneur in residence at INSEAD, from which he obtained his MBA.

PETE SELIGMAN

An accomplished entrepreneur and investor, Pete has himself completed a number of buyouts and started several businesses, including Alpin, an investment and advisory firm in Sydney. A prominent figure in the world of Australian entrepreneurship through acquisition, Pete is now a value-adding coach to SMEVentures entrepreneurs.