Our success is your success
Convero is a private equity placement firm providing capital raising and advisory services to investors and fund managers.

Primary fundraising with a focus on the small end of the market and emerging fund managers
Secondary advisory services for investors (LP-led) and fund managers (GP-led) seeking liquidity solutions
Direct and (co-)investment capital raising with fund managers and independent sponsors

About

Investor perspectives combined with fund manager mindset

Convero AG brings a combination of experience, and a network of relationships gained both as investors – and sellers – of private market opportunities as well as fund managers. This means we know what it takes and can provide valuable insight and expertise to maximise our clients’ capital raise objectives. We aim to be your sparring partner, providing strategic insight, end-to-end management and dedication. Created in 2020, Convero operates from Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Our name, Convero, is derived from CON – Together, VERO – truth / trust / honesty and convert /conversion which reflect our values and our mission to deliver the best results for our clients. This is a people business, and we believe that relationships based on trust and honesty are long-lasting. We also believe that the best results are only possible if we work closely with our clients – offering a partnership, rather than providing a service. Add to this our positive mindset, entrepreneurial spirit and solution-driven attitude; we thrive on CONVERTing your prospects into investors.

Solutions

Dedication tailored to your needs

Primary fundraising

We strive to provide best in class services and work with you throughout the fundraising process from conception to strategic positioning, structuring, investor identification, and fundraising to closing.

Our long-standing relationships, dedication and market knowledge means we are well placed to exceed your fund-raising target.

Secondary advisory

The secondary market is thriving with ever larger transaction volumes, increased complexity and growing number of participants. We help both GPs and LPs to identify and manage the best suited secondary transaction. We guide GPs on solutions like continuation vehicles, fund re-openings, tender offers and fund-restructurings, as well as connect these with suitable investors. We also advise family offices and institutional investors who seek liquidity or wish to optimise their portfolio by selling some of their fund interests. We offer step by step guidance to optimise your sale price.

Direct transactions

Whether you are an established or an independent sponsor, we can help secure capital for your existing portfolio companies or new investments. We support transactions seeking €10-100m as single deal equity, co-investment or follow-on capital.

Team

Private equity specialists

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Kay Olschewski

Partner

When I was growing up in East Germany, finance meant working at a bank counter. Having studied electrical engineering, I took the opportunity to work in the field of air missile defense in the USA for 4 years, there I learnt the broad aspects of “Finance” through the wide media coverage on the subject …. and I got hooked.

… but moving into finance at 30 years old, my background proved difficult. Several university and job application rejections later, I studied and succeeded at EDHEC Business School and then got my first job at Unigestion in Geneva, Switzerland. Now, I am 100% convinced that with a certain level of education, persistence, discipline and motivation, you can achieve almost anything in life.

At Unigestion and Mercer Private Markets, Zurich, Switzerland, I had the opportunity to invest and also work with investors – either catering to existing clients or converting new ones. During this time, I became more and more specialised in the ever-more evolving secondary market, in particular, on GP-led transactions. As an investor, I not only developed a clear sense of when a GP-led transaction is attractive and likely to be successful, but also many close relationships with market practitioners - both of which benefit our clients now at Convero.

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Hervé Gevers

Partner

Golf took a central stage in my life until I started working in private equity in 2009. I competed at the highest amateur level being part of the Belgian national team and university varsity team which taught me great discipline and perseverance to perform at the highest level on and off the course. Born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium, I moved to the U.S.A. for my undergraduate degree in Finance. Since 2009 I have been living in Switzerland, which I am happy to call home.

I started my first private equity experience shortly after arriving in Switzerland, it lasted just short of 13 years at Akina / Unigestion. As an investment professional I built an extensive track record and deep investment experience in private equity with a particular coverage of the European (and selectively global) buyout and venture capital markets across primary fund, secondary, and direct (co-) investment activities.

As a team player with strong language skills (fluency in English, Dutch, French, and (Swiss) German), I am confident that I have the experience, skills and passion to guide institutional investors and fund managers in their respective private equity needs.

When I am not chasing the little white ball on the golf course you will find me chasing KOMs on Strava and up in the mountains hiking or (cross country) skiing.

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Valerie Auffray

Partner

Resilience is the word that best describes me. As Jim Rohn famously said, “If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” This is how I succeeded the ascent of Mont-Blanc. Growing up in an environment where values matter, I developed a strong work ethic and take pride in everything I do.

I was raised in France, where I studied biology and graduated from business school. In 2000, I moved to London, where I still live.

My career began in corporate and financial PR, where I honed my skills in articulating equity stories and delivering investor pitches. I spent most of my private equity career at healthcare lower mid-market firm, Apposite Capital as Head of Investor Relations, so I can easily relate to GPs’ need during fundraising. Most recently, I led the UK practice at Triago, a global placement firm. Over the years, I have built a robust network of LP relationships across Europe and the US.

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Olga Schönfeld

Senior Vice President

My desire is to connect people. I am a determined, reliable and a communicative team player who’s proven that even the serious financial industry can be fun to work in. I have developed many close relationships in the private equity industry. Understanding people’s needs and supporting them in what they do, there are no limitations for me.

Having learnt the bread-and-butter of private equity by working 15-year+ for leading financial institutions in fund controlling, accounting, and taxes I gained valuable insights to all aspects of an investment. This experience not only helped me to understand the complexity of private equity investment but also taught me to be diligent, honest and precise. All very important aspects, as I help you find the best solutions for your investment needs.

With my start at Convero in 2022 I decided to combine my two key strengths – networking with ease and a very diligent approach. I strive to go the extra mile for you. I am not comfortable with the status quo, and I am always looking for an opportunity to improve and dedicate more energy, creativity and passion to my job.

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Cristiano Giovanatto

Associate

Achieving top results in athletics requires passion, consistency, precision, and hard work, just like in finance. In the long run, there are no shortcuts to success. Curiosity and the desire for continuous improvement, both in life and at work, have always been key driving forces for me. Originally from Udine, a small town in northeastern Italy, I balanced my days between academic studies and rigorous training - a discipline that has been a constant in my life.

My passion for finance emerged during my studies and led me to pursue a career in the dynamic world of investment banking, which began in Milan. The numerous M&A projects I had the opportunity to work on over that three-year period taught me how to navigate the intricate and ever-evolving landscape of private markets, and provided me with a set of tools that I will leverage to best support our clients in achieving their strategic goals.

In my free time, I’m a regular at the local track, where I chase the personal goal of breaking the 51-second barrier in the 400-meter hurdles (commonly known among enthusiasts as the 'death lap with barriers').

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Edmond Kwiter

Junior Analyst

Growing up in Damascus, Syria, my interest in finance and private equity was sparked by my entrepreneurial drive as I witnessed the financial and economic challenges facing my country. At 12, my family relocated to France, where I pursued my education, ultimately earning a Master's in Finance from EDHEC Business School.

My career began in auditing and consulting, which provided me with a strong foundation. I then interned at G Squared in Zurich, Switzerland, where I gained my first exposure to private markets. Around the same time, I co-founded an e-commerce business, Orientis, with the goal of revitalizing the European market for Syrian artisans whose livelihoods were impacted by the decline in tourism during the conflict.

I’m proud to say that at Convero, I’ve found the perfect blend of entrepreneurship and finance.