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Contact us for a confidential exploratory chat
If you are a business owner facing succession challenges or exploring an exit and want to learn more about Castelnau, click below to book a meeting.
We look forward to hearing about your legacy and discussing how we can support your business’s next chapter.
Castelnau is a succession fund aiming to acquire and operate one outstanding owner-led British business
About Castelnau
The Problem
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By 2030, nearly one million UK small businesses are expected to change hands due to retirement. 50% of SMEs lack a succession plan.
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Trade & PE buyers are increasingly unattractive to sellers due to valuation gaps, challenges with ensuring continuity for employees and long earnouts keeping owners tied down.
Our Mission
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Castelnau aims to acquire and operate one great UK SME, offering business owners a clean, flexible and straightforward exit.
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As succession entrepreneurs, we take over running the business from day one. You get the dream exit while we honour your legacy and drive long-term growth.
What we offer
An approach grounded in family values and dedicated to the foundations of your life's work.
Committed capital up to £50m
Backed by leading investors and successful SME entrepreneurs.
Preserved legacy
We’ll protect your people, culture, and reputation.
Simple process
Upfront transparency and flexible terms for a seamless acquistion and transition.
Proven operators
20 years collective experience, committed to drive long-term growth.
Darshan Chohan
Co-Founder
Darshan is a corporate lawyer turned SME and enterprise sales operator. Darshan grew up in London with roots in small business ownership across the UK and Australia.
Prior to founding Castelnau, Darshan built a career as an M&A lawyer at magic circle firm Linklaters before leading Commercial and Sales at a high-growth tech startup as employee #8. Darshan holds a Law degree from Cambridge University and an MBA from INSEAD.
Outside of work, you'll find Darshan on the golf course, enjoying live cricket or indulging his foodie fantasies.
Miguel Limón
Co-Founder
Miguel brings a mix of strategy, operations and finance experience to Castelnau. Born and raised in Mexico with a background in family business, Miguel moved to the UK in 2019 to pursue his MBA.
Before Castelnau, Miguel was a Management Consultant at Kearney with a decade of experience in finance, retail, energy and private equity. Miguel holds a degree in Economics and Applied Math and an MBA from London Business School.
Outside of work, Miguel is a Formula One super fan and an avid (but average) 5-aside footballer.
Who we are
Miguel and Darshan are brothers-in-law with backgrounds in family business in the UK, Australia and Mexico. 20 years collective experience across sales, strategy, operations, finance and legal.
What we look for
Business Profile
B2B services, SaaS or tech-enabled services. Ideally, a mission critical offering.
Size & Growth
£1 - 8m EBITDA with recurring or highly predictable revenue and strong margin potential
Succession Plan
Owner-led and looking to transition out operationally, ideally into retirement
Market Position
Differentiated service offering or defensible market position (e.g. niche expertise, IP, regulatory barriers) alongside strong growth potential.
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