Lift AM’s strategy has already secured €15 million in commitments, reviewed more than 150 investment opportunities in less than a year, and plans to expand its investment capacity to €40 million through co-investments.
Nearly one year after its launch, Lift Professional Services SCR, the investment vehicle promoted by Lift Asset Management to invest directly in professional, financial, and real estate services firms, is in an advanced fundraising stage and approaching its first close, having attracted stronger-than-expected investor interest.
The strategy was originally launched with a target size of €20 million, with Lift AM committing 10% of the fund’s target capital. Eleven months later, the vehicle has already secured €15 million in commitments, while the management company has increased its own commitment to more than 15% of the anticipated fund size.
Strong investor demand has also led Lift to expand the strategy’s investment capacity to €40 million through co-investment structures. The firm expects to complete the fund’s final close before year-end and is already working on a second vintage with an initial target size of approximately €50 million, which could increase to between €80 million and €90 million including co-investments.
A Differentiated Strategy in a Sector Undergoing Consolidation
Lift Professional Services was launched to address a growing opportunity within the professional services market, a highly fragmented sector currently undergoing significant consolidation and transformation driven by technology and artificial intelligence.
The strategy focuses on acquiring minority stakes in companies characterized by highly recurring revenues, attractive margins, and long-term client relationships. Its investment universe includes law firms, consulting firms, audit practices, asset managers, insurance brokers, real estate brokers, and other specialized service providers.
Unlike traditional private equity models, Lift seeks to become a long-term strategic partner without taking control of its portfolio companies.
“In many cases, entrepreneurs are not looking to sell 100% of their business or step away from the project. What they need is a partner who can support them with strategic decision-making, growth initiatives, acquisitions, and professionalization processes,” explains Ana Espárrago Pérez, Partner in Private Equity at Lift AM and Head of the strategy.
“Our goal is to become the trusted advisor who provides judgment, proximity, and strategic support at every stage of a company’s development,” she adds.
More Than 150 Opportunities Reviewed in Less Than a Year
The dynamism of the market is reflected in the significant deal flow reviewed by the investment team. Since the fund’s launch, Lift Professional Services has received more than 150 investment and acquisition opportunities, completed two investments, and continues to evaluate several additional opportunities at different stages of analysis.
The strategy primarily targets the lower mid-market segment, where there is a large pool of founder-led businesses and management teams seeking capital and strategic support without relinquishing control of their companies.
“We are not here to take over; we are here to support. We want to be a trusted partner for entrepreneurs, helping them navigate new growth phases, acquisitions, shareholder reorganizations, and operational transformations,” says Espárrago.
Artificial Intelligence: A Key Driver of Transformation
Lift believes that the emergence of artificial intelligence is accelerating the transformation of the professional services sector and creating significant opportunities for firms capable of adapting to new ways of working.
“In today’s environment, professional services businesses share many characteristics with software companies: highly recurring revenues, margins above 20%, and long-term client relationships. The main risk is key-person dependency, which is why we focus on businesses that are less reliant on individuals and invest through minority stakes that align interests while mitigating that risk,” explains Espárrago.
The firm believes that technological adoption and adaptability will be critical factors in identifying the future leaders of the sector.
A Long-Term Vision and Shared Value Creation
With a ten-year investment horizon, Lift Professional Services aims to build a portfolio of strong and scalable companies, partnering with management teams to create sustainable long-term value.
The strategy expects to begin distributing dividends and cash returns to investors from year four onwards and targets a net return of approximately 3.5x invested capital.
“We want to be the partner we would have liked to have when Lift AM was managing only €50 million or €100 million. A partner that is close, committed, and capable of helping companies grow without imposing an external model,” concludes Ana Espárrago.
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