Reshaping small business succession

Unlocking more than $15bn of small business equity value for the next generation

Business leader

Our story

We’ve been building businesses for over 20 years. Along the way we’ve grown teams from 2 people to well over 100, we’ve spearheaded international expansions, and we’ve taken new technology products to market. We’ve also faced the challenges of contracting markets, downsizing and increasing competition.

A common thread connecting all of these experiences – both the highs and the lows – is the recognition that businesses thrive when people are rewarded for the value they create for a business, whether it’s a founder, a leader, or an employee. We’re convinced this is what keeps good businesses in business.

The succession challenge facing Australia’s small business owners is one of the most significant – and underappreciated – economic issues of our time. Almost 50% of business owners are approaching retirement age with no clear pathway for what comes next. Their businesses – profitable, community-rooted, often generational – are at risk of being wound down, sold below value, or simply disappearing.

At the same time, a generation of talented, ambitious leaders are ready to step up. They have the skills and the drive, but not the capital or the opportunity. We built Genshare to close that gap. We acquire great businesses, place great leaders, and create a structure that works for everyone – the outgoing owner, the incoming leader, and the team that depends on both of them.

We keep good businesses in business.

Steve Hibberd
Drew Fairchild

Genshare is a succession solution for retiring small business owners, and an ownership pathway for next generation leaders.

Small business owner

The problems we’re solving

  • Small business owners want to sell, but often there are no natural successors within family-owned businesses.

  • Sourcing new leadership can be a difficult and onerous task.

  • Next generation leaders want to own businesses, but often don’t have the capital to buy them.

  • Retiring business owners and next generation leaders are often first-timers, leading to inefficient and stressful experiences.

The Genshare solution

Our AI-powered technology supports acquisitions and transactions, talent sourcing and matching, and business planning and monitoring.

  • We acquire profitable SMEs turning over $2M–$10M from retiring or outgoing owners at fair value.

  • We identify and integrate next-generation leaders into the businesses, and provide learning and development opportunities.

  • We provide a clear pathway to majority business ownership for next-generation leaders.

  • As businesses succeed and leaders grow, our network of thriving SMEs continues to expand across Australia.

Leadership

Stephen Hibberd
Stephen Hibberd
CEO and Co-founder

Founder of tech and service companies in Australia, APAC and the US, all of which continue to operate. Small business sector focus over the last 15 years including multiple acquisitions.

steve@genshare.com.au
Drew Faichild
Drew Faichild
CFO and Co-founder

Experienced executive across multi-national, public and private companies, including start ups. Finance Director and CFO at Shell Australia, Fulton Hogan, Cleanaway and ICG.

drew@genshare.com.au
Eliza Hoppe
Eliza Hoppe
Chief People Officer

Experienced executive and board director. Led People & Culture and Sales & Marketing for a national services business with 4,000+ employees, culminating in its successful sale in 2023. Former executive search leader with deep expertise in talent and leadership advisory.

eliza@genshare.com.au
Josh Rickel
Josh Rickel
Chief Product Officer

Experienced marketer, product leader and founder. Co-founder of leading AI company Perigon, which distills 20 million data inputs across more than 150,000 sources every day.

josh@genshare.com.au
Bianca Wachtel
Bianca Wachtel
Director of Marketing and Operations

Marketing specialist with experience in strategic communications, integrated marketing and publicity, and partnerships, at global organisations in Melbourne, London and New York.

bianca@genshare.com.au
Michael Heath
Michael Heath
Executive Director - Commercial

Michael has a 24-year track record across commercial and corporate debt, capital markets, and business development. He most recently led the Treasury team at Judo Bank, where he helped grow the bank from an idea into a $13B+ market leader, and built out its warehouse securitisation lending platform.

michael@genshare.com.au
Pete Harper
Pete Harper
Non-executive Director

CEO and Managing Director of Asena Advisors. An Australian based in the US, Peter is an international tax lawyer who advises family offices and founders on direct investments and M&As.

We match great talent to great businesses.   We keep good businesses in business.       

Our model ensures that retiring business owners reap the rewards of their hard work, and allows for the continued employment of their teams.

Business owners