M2O Incorporated

M2O took a hands-on approach to its first investment, directly managing the National Lines Bureau for five years. During that period, the company’s operations were improved and streamlined, generating a 100% return on invested capital annually by the time of its sale in 1997. M2O invested in its first search fund in 1992, the same year it was founded. At the time, a search fund was a novel and ambitious concept hatched by a small group of business school professors, students, and private investors. Over time, search funds became the foundation of M2O’s investment activities. We have invested in over 170 search funds around the world and now evaluate dozens of new search fund investments annually. Our experiences with National Lines Bureau and search funds led to additional investments in small, high-growth private companies. Unlike traditional private equity or venture capital groups, our investment horizon is often 10 years or more. Consequently, we develop lasting relationships with the companies—and managers—in which we invest.