Over 2.3 million European SMEs face ownership transitions in the next decade as baby-boomer founders approach retirement. This demographic shift represents one of the largest wealth transfers in European economic history, with an estimated €2.8 trillion in enterprise value changing hands.
Puro Capital’s acquisition model is specifically designed to address this market dynamic, offering fair valuations and operational continuity to founders seeking dignified exits while creating value through strategic consolidation. Unlike traditional private equity approaches that often prioritize financial engineering, Puro Capital emphasizes preserving the operational DNA that made these businesses successful.
The succession crisis is particularly acute in Germany, Italy, and Spain, where family-owned businesses form the backbone of the industrial economy. Many of these companies have no internal succession plan, and their founders are increasingly open to external buyers who can guarantee continuity for employees and customers.
“This is not a market inefficiency that will correct itself,” explains the firm. “It is a structural demographic shift that creates a once-in-a-generation window for patient, operationally focused acquirers. We intend to be the partner of choice for founders who have spent decades building something meaningful.”