Good preparation is of the utmost importance. The basis for every successful investment is a clear strategy (for more on this topic see ' Profile - portfolio strategy') and a careful analysis of the potential investments.

Value is the goal. One important factor for the strategic positioning of eCAPITAL is the steady increase in the value of the company. Other factors such as ROI, the increase of the company's market share and the use of synergies also play an important role for the companies in the portfolio. But the most important aim of an investment is to increase the value of the company. This is the factor that makes a successful exit possible.

Not an easy decision. Before eCAPITAL makes a commitment to invest, management carefully evaluates the potential investment. The business plan and the market are analysed meticulously. To do this eCAPITAL depends on the know-how of their strategic partners. If eCAPITAL's management decides a company worthy of investment, we start to search in eCAPITAL's network for potential co-investors. As a rule, co-investors are business angels who know the industry the company is in. We ask these private investors to co-invest so that - in addition to our intensive supervision- they can participate in the development of the company with their network contacts and their experience. Numerous co-investments of the past few years have confirmed the mutual benefit of this strategy for the associated companies.