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Philip J. Hattemer and Denis Drung have left their careers in consulting and investing to become entrepreneurs through acquisition. They have launched Drung & Hattemer Mittelstandsnachfolge to take over a single profitable company in German-speaking countries and co-lead it into the future. Behind them is a circle of experienced entrepreneurs and investors, including Pina Capital, among others, who will support and mentor them throughout their journey.
Philip has built his career combining strategy, investing, and hands-on operational leadership. After spending four years at Boston Consulting Group, where he advised leading companies on strategic and performance challenges, he joined Munich-based industrial holding company Vidia, where he played a key role in evaluating and completing four acquisitions before working closely with management teams to support post-acquisition integration and long-term value creation. His experience includes spending several months on-site at portfolio companies, helping strengthen operations and execute growth initiatives. In addition to his corporate background, Philip serves as a reserve officer in the German Army, where he developed a leadership philosophy centered on responsibility, discipline, and caring for the people he leads.
Denis has built his career in corporate finance, M&A, and PE, gaining extensive experience in evaluating, financing, and executing transactions before supporting portfolio companies through their long-term development. He began his career in the investment banking division of Credit Suisse, advising on complex transactions, before joining the British private equity firm Montagu, where he worked on acquisitions and value creation initiatives across portfolio companies. Throughout his career, Denis has developed a deep appreciation for businesses built on loyal customers, strong teams, and responsible ownership.
They are seeking to acquire an established, profitable SME in the DACH region whose owner is looking for a trusted long-term successor. The target business should generate more than €10M in annual revenue and at least €2M in EBITDA. They prefer B2B companies with recurring revenue and are open to a wide range of industries, including technical services, testing and certification, and medical technology.


