Operator-Led Search

f your profile is selected, you will be invited to a 45-minute zoom orientation call with our Talent team. This call will determine if your search focus requires further development or can move ahead. To prepare for the call: 1. Read and review the program description beforehand 2. Prepare your questions about the program, selection process, and the NCA team 3. Prepare your search industries/sectors and target geography Read this article for tips on acing your orientation call

If selected, candidates will then be invited to a zoom interview with a team member of the Assessment Center. Be prepared to present your "universe of search" including industry/sectors, geographic focus, and number of potential companies (filtered using NCA investment criteria). Candidates will also be expected to explain how their experience, background, and network is relevant to their search strategy. Please note that we run 3 selection cycles per year and your application may be put on hold until the next cycle if we determine your search thesis requires further development.

At this stage, all candidates are invited to an "Open House" webinar. During the webinar, candidates can ask anonymous questions through the Q&A function. Each selection cycle includes one "Open House" webinar. Participation in the webinar is not compulsory but is strongly encouraged.

If you continue to progress, you will be given 5 days to complete a business case assignment that you will present (in 30 minutes) to NCA's M&A and Talent teams. Case materials will be provided by NCA and are the same for all candidates. For candidates who have no formal M&A experience, this assignment will take around 20 hours to prepare, so please plan accordingly.

At this stage, selected candidates sign an NDA allowing NCA to share legal document samples and term sheets. Take time to review the documents and email any questions for NCA's Legal and Talent Management teams. Questions will be answered live during a Q&A webinar so candidates can benefit from each other's questions. A recording of the webinar will be made available for those who cannot attend.

After familiarizing yourself with the sample legal documents shared in Step 7, you will then be invited to a 45-minutes video call with our CEO. During the call with our CEO, candidates are expected to discuss their interest in our program and how their experience, network, and vision is relevant to their search strategy. During the value creation call, candidates will be expected to present a 15-minute pitch of their investment thesis. This is a great opportunity to get to know our Partner and gather valuable feedback in preparation for the next step in the selection process (Assessment Center).

If selected to continue to this final stage of the selection process, candidates will be given 5 days to revise their 15-minute pitch of their search and acquisition case. Candidates are required to complete an online leadership assessment and create a CV using our NCA template. You will then be invited to our Assessment Center to present your pitch to our Entrepreneurs Jury and a selection of external advisors, followed by 30 minutes of

If you are invited to join the program following the Assessment Center, you will work with NCA to prepare your case for fundraising (PPM) with help from our Talent Management team. At this stage you will have access to databases, industry reports, and the NCA DDO team. In parallel, our Legal team will finalize background and reference checks, while our Marketing team helps you finalize your website and marketing materials.

Once Onboarding is completed, you will be able to present your investment thesis to relevant investors within NCA's investor base. At this stage, candidates are also expected to bring in 1-3 potential investors from their own network to support their case alongside NCA and NCA Investors.

After the search capital has been raised, you will need to finalize legal documentation to complete onboarding and officially enroll in NCA's program. Once that's done, congratulations-you are officially an NCA Searching Entrepreneur!