Investment philosophy

Lazarus’ investment philosophy is to invest in companies that for various reasons find themselves in a tight spot. The company may be in acute crisis, or in an unsustainable long-term situation. In these situations, it is not uncommon for companies to have owners or management who experience challenges to change the company’s trajectory, while more and more demands are placed on the company by external stakeholders such as banks and suppliers. When Lazarus enters as new main owner to the business, stakeholders are usually prepared to offer the company a second chance.

Our investment structures are often fairly complex, as the various stakeholder interests and preferences needs to be considered to close a transaction. At the same time, it is in the transaction that favourable conditions can be created to ensure the company’s survival. This could mean, for example, that the target company’s balance sheet is sanitized in connection with the transaction, or that agreements with external stakeholders are renegotiated.

The key to success is, as with most things in life, hard work, close collaboration with all stakeholders, tight liquidity- and cost control, as well as an increased focus on the viable core business.