SW1 is a private investment holding. We acquire and hold interests in companies, mainly in financial services and technology, and work with their management over the long term.

We invest our own capital. There is no fund, no fixed term and no obligation to exit. This lets us take positions that need time: regulated businesses, carve-outs, situations where ownership has to change hands carefully.

We prefer a small number of holdings we understand well to a large number we do not. In most cases we hold a controlling or significant stake and sit on the board.

• Established businesses in financial services, technology and adjacent sectors
• Operations in the European Union, or a clear path to it
• Founders or shareholders who want a long-term partner rather than a quick sale
• Transactions where structure matters: staged payments, options, regulatory approvals

Most of our transactions are negotiated directly with founders and existing shareholders. We are quick on terms and slow on diligence.

After closing we stay involved: board seats, reserved matters, audited reporting, follow-on capital when it is warranted. We do not run the companies we own, and we do not pretend to.