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First Close · July 16 · 41 min

John Messer, Founder at Copilot Capital

Is AI really taking over the world, are zombie funds a good thing, and when should a founder step down as CEO? John Messer is the founder of Copilot Capital, a lower mid market SaaS investor. John has spent a decade in private equity in the UK, including roles at Inflexion, Alchemy Partners and Tenzing, almost exclusively focused on software buyouts. In 2023, he founded Copilot Capital, which invests in founder led SaaS businesses in Europe. Copilot's first fund is now almost fully deployed, with investments in Sweden, Denmark and the UK. In this conversation, we talked about: John's unusual route into private equity The “SaaSpocalypse” and how AI is reshaping software investing How AI could change the structure of private equity deal teams When founders should step back from the CEO role The trade-offs of taking seed capital as an emerging manager Why zombie funds may create new opportunities for specialist managers And of course, what John thinks success will look like for Copilot First Close is powered by Langham Hall, the award winning provider of fund services to global emerging managers.

0:00-41:15
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Is AI really taking over the world, are zombie funds a good thing, and when should a founder step down as CEO?

John Messer is the founder of Copilot Capital, a lower mid market SaaS investor.

John has spent a decade in private equity in the UK, including roles at Inflexion, Alchemy Partners and Tenzing, almost exclusively focused on software buyouts. In 2023, he founded Copilot Capital, which invests in founder led SaaS businesses in Europe. Copilot's first fund is now almost fully deployed, with investments in Sweden, Denmark and the UK.

In this conversation, we talked about:

  • John's unusual route into private equity
  • The “SaaSpocalypse” and how AI is reshaping software investing
  • How AI could change the structure of private equity deal teams
  • When founders should step back from the CEO role
  • The trade-offs of taking seed capital as an emerging manager
  • Why zombie funds may create new opportunities for specialist managers
  • And of course, what John thinks success will look like for Copilot

First Close is powered by Langham Hall, the award winning provider of fund services to global emerging managers.

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