Each ran a search with us and stepped in as CEO. The businesses are still running under the people who bought them.
OPERATING
ACE Training + MultiSkills Training
Rob is a former CEO of Marine Rescue Technologies in the UK, with leadership roles across three continents. He acquired ACE Training in August 2021, the first completed SMEVentures acquisition, and added MultiSkills as a bolt-on the next year. Five years on, the business runs with its original team and client base. ACE is a registered training organisation delivering nationally accredited courses across construction, mining and workplace safety.
eMerge IT
Steve is a Duke MBA, tech founder and finance leader who has led teams across high-impact roles. He acquired eMerge IT in 2023 and runs it as CEO from Darwin, serving the same client base that was in place before he took over. eMerge IT provides managed IT services to businesses across the Northern Territory.
Grima Recycling + Kollect
Ryan is an army veteran and INSEAD MBA who went from commanding military operations to running a Fortune 500 company's investment portfolio. He acquired Grima Recycling and Kollect in 2023 and grew the commercial recycling contracts while keeping the existing workforce and customer relationships intact. The combined business handles recycling and waste collection across NSW.
TWS & WF Energy Controls
Jason spent a decade in financial services and technology, as both an operator and an investor in high-growth companies, raised in a family of small business owners. In June 2024 he acquired two energy control businesses across Australia and New Zealand, SMEVentures' first New Zealand deal. He relocated his family to take over and the full team stayed on. TWS and WF Energy Controls make renewable energy, water treatment and environmental monitoring products.
Custom Transport Equipment
A Belgian-born engineer, Stijn spent a decade at Accenture leading global transformation projects before founding and exiting his own consulting firm. In December 2025 he acquired Custom Transport Equipment and now leads it full-time, keeping the existing production team and customer base. CTE is a Victorian manufacturer of custom bodies and trailers for the heavy transport industry.
SPL Security Solutions
Kylie has spent more than 15 years leading high-growth tech businesses and turning around complex operations. She created the value everywhere she worked, always for someone else. She searched from New Zealand and acquired SPL Security Solutions in April 2026, stepping in as owner and CEO. Founded in 1990, SPL is a full-service security and locksmith firm with around 100 staff and more than 41,000 customers, the largest team of any SMEVentures acquisition.
SEARCHING
These searchers have raised their fund and are evaluating opportunities across ANZ. If you are a business owner, they would like to hear from you.
Abdy spent years in Australia's health insurance sector, where he led product launches and managed a A$700 million product portfolio. With his MBA, he is now searching for a services business to acquire and lead across Australia. He writes regularly about the search on LinkedIn, where he has become one of the more visible voices in the ANZ search fund community.
abdy@smeventures.com · +61 490 082 018
Schedule a conversation with Abdy →
Amit joined SMEVentures in 2026 from a background in corporate strategy and financial services. He is early in his search and evaluating opportunities across the ANZ market. Melbourne-based.
amit@smeventures.com · [confirm number]
Schedule a conversation with Amit →SEARCH WITH US
SMEVentures backs entrepreneurs who want to acquire and operate one business for the long term in Australia or New Zealand. If you have the operational experience, the commercial judgement, and the commitment to run a business as CEO, we want to hear from you.
Start a conversation →Questions about searching with SMEVentures, or want to learn more about one of our entrepreneurs? Get in touch.