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Legacy Partners: investing in the next generation of business leaders
Legacy Partners was founded by seasoned entrepreneur Christopher von Wedemeyer following the successful sale of DrSmile, the company he co-founded, to the publicly traded Straumann Group. Under his leadership, DrSmile grew into a market leader with 600+ employees, operations in 10 countries, and annual revenues exceeding €200 million.
Following this successful exit, he established his Berlin-based family-run investment company, Legacy Partners, specializing in small-cap buyouts.
More recently, Legacy Partners launched Legacy Search Partners to actively support entrepreneurs in identifying, acquiring, and growing great companies. With a deep commitment to supporting Europe’s Mittelstand, Legacy ensures that both company legacies and family ownership traditions remain intact while fostering sustainable business growth.
A true partner throughout the search journey
Legacy Search Partners offers far more than financial backing—it serves as a strategic partner throughout the entire SF process. From deal origination and hands-on M&A support to organizational development, the team provides expertise in investment theses, transaction structuring, and proprietary deal sourcing.
To further strengthen its capabilities, Florian von Villiez has joined the firm, bringing profound private equity and due diligence expertise from Bain and operational experience from scaling the DACH entity of the B2B SaaS unicorn Choco. With extensive experience in topline growth and internationalizing companies, the team is committed to actively supporting searchers—not just with capital, but with practical guidance at every stage of the journey.
European market focus & investment flexibility
Legacy Search Partners has a pan-European investment focus, with half of its searchers based in the DACH region and the remainder operating across France, the UK, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Thanks to its independent structure, Legacy can move quickly and decisively, offering flexibility in investment size, bridging equity gaps, and supporting add-on acquisitions.
A rigorous focus on the right searcher-company fit
Legacy Search Partners believes that the alignment between the searcher and the target company is a critical driver of success. Beyond financial and sector fit, they emphasize culture, leadership style, and owner compatibility. Through a rigorous selection process, they back entrepreneurs with exceptional resilience, determination, and leadership potential—individuals who are committed for the long term and possess the analytical and financial acumen necessary to acquire and scale a business successfully.
A proven track record & continued growth
Legacy Search Partners is already a key player in the European SF landscape. It played a pivotal role in Europe’s largest-ever search fund transaction—the acquisition of Alfavet Tierarzneimittel GmbH by Wreeko Mittelstandspartner. With an active pipeline of investments, the firm targets one additional SF investment per month, further solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner for Europe’s top searchers.
In addition to leading Legacy Partners, Christopher von Wedemeyer serves as an advisor at Germany’s largest SF accelerator, where he supports searchers as they transition into CEO roles.
For searchers seeking a dedicated, experienced, and highly engaged investment partner, Legacy Search Partners offers a unique combination of capital, strategic expertise, and hands-on operational support—helping entrepreneurs unlock value and build lasting success. Relevant SF-related inquiries can be sent directly to Florian von Villiez at fv@legacy-partners.de
