Chris Elam
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Hey Chris — we both ended up in PE from pretty different directions (you through McKinsey + the army, me through IB at CS & Greenhill in London). been thinking a lot about software origination lately. would be good to connect.
Hey Chris, we ended up in similar places from different directions — I came through banking at CS & Greenhill into growth equity in London, not McKinsey and the military like you. origination was always the same story for me — clear thesis, decent relationships, but no proprietary system of record tying anything together. every deal virtually sourced from scratch, nothing compounding over time. curious if that's still how most funds operate or if I'm behind the times? — Russ
Hey Chris, we came at this from different angles — I went the banking route (CS, then Greenhill in London) into growth equity at Treis, while you went West Point and McKinsey into building a search fund. different paths but similar end point. the pattern I keep seeing with most funds is weirdly consistent — strong thesis, solid network, but no proprietary system of record. the people, tools and ideas are never really connected. every deal virtually sourced from scratch, nothing compounds on itself. curious if that resonates or if you've built something different at Fells View? — Russ
hey Chris — no worries if the timing's off. most funds I talk to have tried some version of building origination in-house — analyst pulling from Pitchbook or Grata, maybe using ChatGPT to help qualify, dumping it into a spreadsheet. each piece kind of works, but there's no system of record tying it together. the people, tools and ideas are all disconnected, so there's tonnes of wasted energy. been helping a few funds like Noble Rock work through that. curious if you've run into the same thing at Fells View? — Russ
totally get it if origination infrastructure isn't top of mind right now — most funds have 10 things ahead of it on the priority list. the funds I've seen crack it early just tend to compound deal flow in a way that's hard to replicate later. if it ever moves up the list, I'm easy to find. — Russ
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Prospect Research
## PROSPECT INFORMATION: Name: Chris Elam Title: Founder & Principal Fund: Fells View Capital Background: Name: Chris Elam Current Role: Managing Partner at Fells View Capital Location: Boston, Massachusetts Current Focus: Chris is currently a "Searcher" leading Fells View Capital, a search fund backed by investors like Trilogy Search Partners and Anacapa Partners. He is actively looking to acquire and grow a unique business, specifically targeting B2B vertical software companies in supply chain management, construction, real estate, and e-commerce. He is based in the Melrose area of Boston. Professional Background: Before launching his search fund in August 2023, Chris was an Engagement Manager in the Implementation practice at McKinsey & Company. He spent nearly a decade in the US Army, serving in high-impact leadership roles including Company Commander (Captain) in Germany, Project Engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers in New England, and Engineer Platoon Leader in the 82nd Airborne Division with deployment experience in Afghanistan. He is a West Point graduate with a BS in Civil Engineering and holds an MS in Engineering Management. Key Skills: Strategic problem solving, operational management, organizational leadership, implementation, civil engineering, project management, and building high-performing teams in austere or high-stakes environments. Significant Posts: On August 17, 2023, Chris announced the launch of his search fund, stating: "I'm super excited to announce Fells View Capital. It's been a dream of mine to find and grow a unique business, and this marks the start of that adventure." He specified his industry targets, saying: "I'm starting my search in B2B vertical software, especially in areas like supply chain management, construction, real estate, and e-commerce." On May 17, 2021, while at McKinsey, he promoted a hiring forum for veterans, noting: "McKinsey is making a concerted push to hire more enlisted veterans, and I'll be a breakout lead at this event." Fund details: - Description: We're a privately held search fund with an entrepreneurial mindset. Chris and his team of investors are committed to helping business owners exit their business while maximizing its value and ensuring continued success. Let's build a mutually beneficial partnership that takes your business to the next level. Investment Criteria: Software Business - A minimum of $3M in Annual Recurring Revenue - High growth - Growing industry - Loyal customer base B2B Service Business - Minimum of $1.5M in annual earnings - Loyal customer base - EBITDA Margin more than 10% - A track record of profitable growth - In a growing industry *Generous referral fee for any warm introduction that ends in an acquisition* - Website: https://www.fellsviewcapital.com/ - Location: Melrose, Massachusetts, United States - Lead qualification: Research: - Query: =Fells View Capital Chris Elam recent investments fund thesis - Answer: Fells View Capital is a search fund led by Chris Elam, focusing on acquiring and operating private companies. Chris Elam has a background in both the military and business, including McKinsey & Company. The firm aims to help business owners exit while ensuring business success.