8: M&A Zing (Ep. 8) – From Apple to Acquisitions: A Conversation with Hamburg Ventures

The M&A Zing

Welcome to another weekly recording of M&A Zing — the podcast for acquisition entrepreneurs, search funds, and holdco builders across the UK & Europe.
In this episode, host Gareth Hawkins kicks off a new interview series featuring emerging searchers and established acquirers. Today, he sits down with Florian Wilisch, founder of Hamburg Ventures. Florian’s path to ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) includes nearly a decade at Apple (working on iconic products like the iPhone and Apple Music), plus years of startup scaling and a successful e-commerce exit. Now he’s applying his love for product innovation and digitisation to buying a profitable small business — with a B2C twist.
From near-miss deals and financing struggles to the joy of connecting with sellers on more than just the numbers, Florian shares valuable insights for anyone navigating the SMB acquisition space.
Timestamps

• [00:00:13] Introduction & Welcome
  
• Gareth kicks off the new interview series, introduces Florian’s background.
  

• [00:01:07] Florian’s Apple & Startup Roots
  
• Managing major product launches at Apple
  
• Transitioning to startup life and selling his own e-commerce venture
  

• [00:03:35] The Pull of ETA
  
• Why Florian left corporate roles for buying a business
  
• Balancing family, personal risk, and entrepreneurship
  

• [00:06:08] Hamburg Ventures & Search Focus
  
• Targeting companies ripe for digitisation and product innovation
  
• Building trust with owners via operational insights (vs. pure financials)
  

• [00:10:30] Search Journey & Challenges*
  
• Early near-miss deals falling through
  
• Staying resilient through lender setbacks
  
• Why B2C acquisitions face extra financing hurdles
  

• [00:14:45] Dealing with Brokers & Debt Brokers
  
• Pros and cons of brokered deals
  
• Finding a debt broker who truly adds value
  
• Navigating bank reluctance for non–recurring revenue models
  

• [00:19:50] Lessons Learned & Key Takeaways
  
• Speed vs. thoroughness — straddling the line
  
• Crafting a personal “story” to resonate with sellers
  
• Coping with setbacks and mental resilience
  

• [00:26:00] Looking Ahead: Hamburg Ventures
  
• Plans for the next 12 months
  
• Positioning to acquire, then modernise an established SMB
  
• The dream: bridging the gap for B2C deals in ETA
  

• [00:39:20] Final Thoughts & Contact Info
  
• Florian’s call to lenders, owners, and other searchers
  
• Connect with Florian via LinkedIn or HamburgVentures.com
  

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Episode Highlights

• Innovating in Legacy SMBs: Florian uses his Apple and startup experience to spot growth potential where others see “old-fashioned” systems.
  
• B2C Financing Struggles: Most lenders prefer recurring B2B revenue, leaving B2C deals under-served and creating hidden opportunities.
  
• Trust-Building with Sellers: Being an operator can win an owner’s confidence, especially if they’re not purely numbers-driven.
  
• Resilience in Search: Missed deals and lender fallouts are common. Staying focused on why you’re doing ETA helps you push forward.
  
• Future Vision: In 12 months, Florian hopes to have closed a deal and applied his “digitisation + innovation” playbook to scale it fast.