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Apex Partners is an Italy-focused SF based in Piacenza, established to pursue succession-driven acquisition opportunities within Italian small- and mid-sized enterprises. Founded in 2026, the fund aims to partner with family-owned and entrepreneurial businesses across Italy that are approaching a generational transition.
The fund is led by Edoardo Selmi and Davide Orso Giacone, who met and worked together at Pictet, a Swiss-based global investment firm, where they developed a shared interest in lower mid-market investing and owner-led businesses. Building on this experience, they founded Apex Partners to pursue an operator-led acquisition strategy centered on long-term ownership, continuity, and active involvement.
Edoardo brings a background in private equity investing, with exposure to Italian SMEs and the lower mid-market environment. His experience includes involvement in consolidation processes, valuation initiatives, and long-term value creation strategies within entrepreneurial businesses, contributing to a strong understanding of market dynamics and ownership transitions in this space.
Davide’s background spans strategic advisory and operational development, with exposure to business planning within larger groups as well as entrepreneurial settings. His experience includes work across different sectors and business models, with a focus on operational excellence, commercial development, and internationalization processes supporting structured growth.
Together, they combine deep familiarity with the Italian lower mid-market with a long-term ownership mindset, positioning Apex Partners as an active partner capable of supporting companies through transition, consolidation, and sustainable expansion.
Operating under the SF model, Apex Partners is designed to acquire and operate a single Italian SME, with the potential to build a platform in a fragmented sector through selective and disciplined expansion, committing full-time to the long-term development of the acquired business. Following an acquisition, the founders intend to assume active leadership roles, working closely with employees and stakeholders to ensure continuity and responsible ownership.
The focus is on companies built around solid products or services, clear market positioning, and strong cultural foundations. Apex Partners seeks situations where its experience in internationalization, commercial development, operational excellence, and consolidation can complement the entrepreneur’s deep industry knowledge and understanding of the business and its people. Central to this approach is preserving and building upon the company’s culture, history, and values to unlock a new phase of structured and sustainable growth.
The platform is supported by a diverse base of Italian and international investors, including entrepreneurs, family offices, and seasoned investment platforms active in the Search Fund and lower mid-market space. Among these are Evolutiq, Inseta, Relay Investments Europe, Valmaris Private Investors, Legate Partners, Endurance Search Partners, Albira Investments, Search Fund Club, Linta Partners, GDA Search, LeFonds Capital, Ryse Capital, Köllective Capital, Loris Lanzellotti and Fabio Costa.
Apex Partners is now actively engaging with entrepreneurs across Italy who are evaluating long-term succession solutions and are seeking a partner committed to continuity, active involvement, and responsible ownership.
