25 Years of Avallon MBO: 25 Years of Active Contribution to the Development of the Polish Economy. Tomasz Stamirowski for Forbes Poland on MBOs, Succession, and the Transformation of Polish Business.
The June issue of Forbes Poland features an interview with Tomasz Stamirowski, Managing Partner at Avallon MBO. The discussion covers, among other topics, Avallon MBO’s 25 years of experience, the development of the management buyout (MBO) market in Poland, and the practical aspects of fostering and promoting entrepreneurship.
The interview explores the practical dimensions of Poland’s economic transformation and the role of ownership structures and management teams in building Polish capital. It also examines how Polish companies address succession challenges and how succession planning influences business growth amid increasing market volatility, technological pressure, and geopolitical uncertainty.
We hope this interview will provide valuable insights for both managers and owners of privately held Polish companies.
We encourage you to read the June issue of Forbes Poland. The online version of the interview is available here:
https://www.forbes.pl/sukcesja-sprzyja-wykupom-menedzerskim/dt66ck1

Avallon MBO is a pioneer of the management buyout (MBO) market in Poland and, for 25 years, has remained true to its core principles—turning managers into entrepreneurs. This is underpinned by unique experience gained from over 150 transactions executed in partnership with management teams.

Since its inception, the fund has invested more than PLN 1 billion in the development of its portfolio companies, supporting their operational growth, international expansion, and transformation processes. On average, Avallon’s portfolio companies double their revenue and EBITDA during the investment period. Avallon has co-created the market success of brands such as VELVET Care, Good Food, and Wosana, and was also behind one of the most successful acquisitions of a Polish company in the German market—the medical company Meyra.

Today, Avallon ranks among the leading private equity funds in Poland. It is one of the few domestic firms to have completed at least three full investment fund cycles and is currently preparing to launch another. Its objective is to actively support the transformation of the Polish economy by implementing modern technological solutions in traditional sectors.

Over the years, the fund’s team has built a broad and lasting network of relationships, collaborating with more than 10,000 leading Polish managers and entrepreneurs and analyzing approximately 5,000 investment opportunities.

A quarter-century of Avallon MBO’s operations also reflects the maturation of the MBO market in Poland—from early transactions, conducted in an environment of limited capital access and  a short tradition of private investment, to a fully developed market segment where MBOs have become a key tool for succession, management professionalization, and accelerating the growth of domestic businesses.

Today, Avallon belongs to a select group of private equity funds in Poland with at least three full fund  cycles completed. The team is currently launching a fourth one —which is going to be significantly larger in scale and open to a new category of investors, including family foundations.

Avallon was a pioneer of the MBO model in Poland and is now the undisputed leader in this segment. The fund has played a significant role in popularizing management buyouts as an effective tool for business development and  promoting entrepreneurship in Poland.

The fund is an active investor focused on growth and long-term value creation. It invests in strong companies with a clear ambition—to transform them into best-in-class businesses. To date, Avallon has invested over PLN 1 billion to support management buyouts and the growth of mid-sized companies in Poland. Portfolio companies have additionally allocated nearly PLN 1 billion in capital expenditures (CAPEX) for development and modernization, while average employment growth during the investment period has reached approximately 20%. On average, companies double their revenue and EBITDA during the fund’s investment horizon.

Avallon invests across a range of sectors, building a diversified portfolio of successful projects. Its key areas include consumer goods (VELVET, GOOD FOOD, Wiejska Zagroda), healthcare (MEDORT), services (MPS, STANGL TECHNIK), as well as technology (Marketplanet, Globema) and engineering (Bipromet).

The fund has developed extensive sector expertise, further strengthened by its collaboration model with experienced managers and founders who bring deep knowledge of their companies and industries. Over 25 years, the team has established relationships with more than 10,000 top managers, and approximately 5,000 investment projects have gone through its analytical process. In the coming years, the MBO segment in Poland is expected to gain further importance driven by succession challenges, ongoing industry consolidation, and increasing pressure for technological transformation.

“25 years of Avallon is not only the story of the development of the MBO market, but also our active contribution to building Polish capital and strengthening the domestic economy. Ahead of us are further challenges—supporting the technological and business transformation of private companies established in the 1990s, as well as their international expansion. Today, private equity funds possess significant intellectual capital derived from transactional and operational experience, as well as extensive networks. Increasingly, they serve as an effective mechanism for allocating capital to companies with the highest growth potential,” says Tomasz Stamirowski, Managing Partner at Avallon MBO.

“We are often described as a ‘fund with a human face.’ From the very beginning, we have placed great emphasis on ethics, trust, and values such as commitment, integrity, and professionalism. For us, business is not only about capital, but also about long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. This may explain  why many of our transactions are carried out not only with managers, but also with founders or their successors,” says Robert Więcławski, Senior Partner at Avallon MBO.

In the near term, Avallon plans to launch its fourth fund—significantly larger than its previous investment vehicles. The new fund will enable further scaling of operations and the execution of additional ambitious development projects within Polish enterprises, with a focus on building strong, competitive companies and supporting the long-term growth of the Polish economy.

S’portofino, an Avallon MBO portfolio company, continues to strengthen its position in the premium fashion and sport segment by combining the world of sport with top-quality fashion.

Urszula Radwańska, a renowned Polish tennis player, has now joined the brand’s group of ambassadors. Her international court experience, determination and strong sense of style naturally align with S’portofino’s DNA. This marks another step in building a strong, aspirational lifestyle brand rooted in authenticity and consistent values.

On this occasion, the company has also announced a new initiative — Tennis Camp Ula Radwańska by S’portofino, which will take place on 20–26 April in Marbella, Spain. The camp offers a unique opportunity to develop tennis skills under the guidance of internationally experienced professionals, in small groups, with an individual approach and in an inspiring, premium environment that creates a distinctive sporting experience.

We encourage interested participants to register. Enrollment is open only until 5 April.
https://tenniscamp-uradwanska.pl/

Avallon MBO supported the 4th edition of the Practical Private Equity & Venture Capital Course, co-organized by the Polish Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (PSIK) and Level 20. This year’s edition was partnered by the Warsaw Stock Exchange Foundation.

The course is a unique educational initiative aimed at students, providing access to practical knowledge about the private equity and venture capital market through a series of workshops led by experienced fund managers.

As part of the program, Agnieszka Pakulska and Marcin Konarski represented Avallon MBO, sharing their experience in investment project analysis, cooperation with management teams, and building company value during the investment process.

An important element of this year’s edition was also the involvement of Level 20 – an initiative supporting the development of women in the private equity industry, co-founded by Agnieszka Pakulska.

From Avallon MBO’s perspective, the opportunity for direct interaction with course participants and observing the high level of engagement and interest in the PE/VC market among the younger generation was particularly valuable. Participation in the program provides students with a meaningful opportunity to gain practical knowledge and better understand the specifics of the private equity and venture capital market.

During the match between Widzew Łódź and Lech Poznań, the children of Avallon employees and their friends took part in a special pre-match ceremony, escorting the players of both teams onto the pitch.
Before the first whistle, the youngest participants, together with girls from the Widzew Academy, stepped onto the field alongside the players, accompanying them during their entrance to the stadium. For the children, it was a truly special moment and an unforgettable experience that will surely stay with them for a long time.
The match delivered plenty of sporting excitement for the fans and ended with a 2:1 victory for Widzew Łódź over Lech Poznań.
We are proud to support the development of young athletes as a partner of the Widzew Academy and to create opportunities for such memorable football moments.
Congratulations to the Widzew team on a great result, and thank you for the opportunity to be part of this special event.