Selling a business is a milestone that carries far more weight than a financial outcome. It represents years of graft, difficult decisions, relationships built and a sense of identity that is woven into the company. Understandably, founders want to know what will happen to the people and the culture they leave behind.
At Jonas Europe, our answer has always been the same - we buy & hold forever. We take a long-term, steady approach that gives businesses the space to grow without pressure, uncertainty, or disruption. And for many founders, that reassurance is what makes all the difference.
Many acquirers operate with short planning cycles. They buy, change direction quickly, restructure or aim for an exit. For founders, this can mean unexpected shifts for their team or a loss of what made their business special.
Our model is different - we never sell the companies we acquire, which brings a level of stability that’s becoming increasingly rare in the software world. When we talk to founders about why this matters, the same themes come up time and time again:
This long-term view shapes every part of our approach.
Your culture stays at the centre
Every business has its own rhythm and personality; we don’t disrupt that. Instead, we protect what already works and allow your team to continue running the company with the identity they created. Our decentralised structure means decisions stay close to the people who know the business best.
Your team is supported, not replaced
A stable environment helps people do their best work. Employees gain access to learning and development programmes, leadership opportunities and a wider community of colleagues across the globe. The aim is to give teams more pathways, not fewer.
Your customers experience continuity
For many businesses, software sits at the heart of daily operations. Our buy & hold model means customers can trust that the product they depend on will continue to evolve rather than be phased out or resold. This continuity is one of the reasons our acquisition model works so well in vertical markets.
Your expertise remains where it belongs
Vertical market software is built on deep industry knowledge, and it’s important that this stays close to the product and the customers who rely on it. While we do centralise functions like Finance, IT and HR to strengthen operational support, the specialist expertise at the heart of your software remains within your business.
Your product teams, customer-facing colleagues and industry experts continue doing what they do best, supported by shared resources, best practices and the wider Jonas Europe community. This balance ensures your unique value stays intact while your people gain access to tools that help them grow.
What founders often appreciate most is the balance we offer. Businesses maintain their independence, culture and leadership while also benefiting from:
This allows companies to keep doing what made them successful, while having the backing to grow at a sustainable pace.
Our approach is rooted in the belief that founders deserve a partner who values the journey they’ve taken and the people who helped build their business. We understand that selling is not simply a commercial decision. It’s emotional and personal, and it deserves to be treated with care.
Choosing a forever home means choosing a future where your work continues, your people are supported, and your customers remain confident in the product they rely on.
If you’re exploring what the future could look like for your business and want to understand whether a buy & hold forever acquirer is the right fit, we’re always open to a conversation. No pressure, no rush. Just an honest discussion about your goals and the legacy you want to protect.