Working at a Private Equity-Backed Company with Colt Stander, CPO of Presence
In this Enrich members-only conversation Colt Stander, Chief Product Officer at Presence, shared his firsthand experience successfully navigating leadership, culture, and expectations in a PE-backed environment.
Our takeaways:
PE firms typically aim for an exit within 3-7 years, shaping their decision-making and strategic bets.
Unlike VC, where a company may have multiple investors, PE is usually the sole or majority investor, leading to deeper involvement in operations and strategy.
PE prioritizes predictable, scalable growth and operational efficiency over high-risk, high-reward investments often seen in VC-backed companies.
The term “PE-backed” is misleading—PE firms typically own a majority stake and have a hands-on approach, expecting steady returns rather than gambling on multiple bets like VC.
There’s a strong focus on profitability and operational discipline, but this doesn’t always mean short-term cuts. PE firms balance long-term stability with efficiency.
Unlike VC firms, where founders often deal with junior associates, PE firms have smaller teams, meaning executives work directly with top partners who influence key decisions.
If a PE-backed company is hiring a VP or C-suite role, it’s often because there’s a turnaround or restructuring needed. Decisive action is expected—turnaround timeframes are often ~18 months.
PE-backed companies exist on a continuum of growth and maturity, distinct from both early-stage startups and publicly traded firms.
Thank you to Colt for these insights and advice!
