Frequently Asked Questions

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 Fjordwake is an advisory and acquisition platform focused on profitable service and trade businesses.

We operate across three core functions:

• Operational Advisory (constraint diagnosis and EBITDA lift)
   
• Capital Partnerships (structured capital alignment)
   
• Direct Acquisitions (control investments and long-term ownership)
   

Our objective is simple: build durable, buyable businesses and create enduring enterprise value.

 No. Advisory is one part of our model.

We:

• Diagnose operational constraints
   
• Structure capital for growth or transition
   
• Acquire businesses directly when appropriate
   

In some cases, we serve as advisors.
In other cases, we deploy capital.
In select situations, we do both.

 We focus on lower-middle-market service and trade businesses with:

• $500K – $5M in annual revenue
   
• $100K+ normalized EBITDA
   
• Stable crew or subcontractor base
   
• Clear owner transition path
   

Industries include roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, painting, and other specialty trades.

 We use a structured evaluation framework called the Acquisition Readiness Diagnostic (ARD).

The ARD determines whether a business is:

• Buyable now
   
• Fixable within 12–24 months
   
• Not currently viable for acquisition
   

We evaluate financial integrity, operational independence, owner transition viability, market positioning, and capital stack alignment.

This prevents emotional or narrative-based decision-making.

 In select engagements, yes.

When advisory work directly increases enterprise value, we may structure:

• 3–5% equity participation
   
• 10–15% profit-share arrangements
   
• Performance-based capital alignment
   

These structures are used selectively and only when incentives are clearly aligned.

 Yes.

We acquire established service and trade businesses that meet our underwriting standards.

Our acquisition focus is long-term operational ownership, not short-term financial engineering.

Post-acquisition, we prioritize:

• Owner transition stabilization
   
• Margin expansion
   
• Capacity optimization
   
• AI-enabled efficiency
   
• Financial reporting discipline

 Yes.

We value broker relationships and operate with professionalism:

• Timely NDAs
   
• Clear underwriting timelines
   
• Transparent communication
   
• Structured capital stack clarity
   

We respect representation agreements and work through proper channels.

 Traditional private equity often emphasizes financial engineering and rapid exits.

Fjordwake emphasizes:

• Operational discipline first
   
• Conservative capital structures
   
• Sustainable EBITDA growth
   
• Long-term ownership optionality
   

We focus on durable value, not velocity alone.

 Traditional consultants diagnose and leave.

Fjordwake:

• Diagnoses
   
• Implements
   
• Aligns capital
   
• Participates in upside when appropriate
   
• Acquires when strategic
   

We operate as builders, not slide-deck providers.

 The first step is a confidential evaluation conversation.

We assess:

• Financial performance
   
• Owner goals
   
• Transition feasibility
   
• Capital stack viability
   

From there, we determine whether advisory, acquisition, or capital partnership is the right path.