How Do You Become a Private Equity Executive? | Kip Knippel, KIP Search
Already had one exit? Kip Knippel on how finance leaders and founders get back in the room for the next PE-backed company.
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Castro How do you become a private equity executive? Kip Knippel, President & CEO at KIP Search, explains how CFOs, controllers and founders who've had an exit can position themselves for their next portfolio company role: build relationships with executive search firms in the PE space and with private equity principals and GPs, so you're on their radar when opportunities come around. He also explains what PE clients want in those hires: a proven track record of coming in, making an immediate impact, growing the business, professionalizing the team, exiting and doing it again.
About Kip Knippel: Kip is President and CEO of KIP Search, a Minneapolis-based retained executive search firm that places C-level leaders, with a practice focused on private equity, venture capital, family offices, EOS companies and emerging technology. He began his career as an M&A and commercial real estate lawyer and hosts the Capitalist Culture podcast.
Connect with Kip Knippel:
Website: https://www.kipsearch.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kipknippel/
Connect with host Joshua Wilson:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/
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A One Iron Network production: Executive Producer Joshua Wilson
The PE Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed is investment, legal, tax, or financial advice, or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security or fund interest.
Topics: private equity executive roles, PE-backed CFO, portfolio company leadership, executive search, founder exit, private equity GPs
Disclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker (BK3038350) and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The PE Podcast is produced by One Iron Network LLC for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of One Iron Network LLC, Smooth Stone Capital, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Any performance figures, valuations, or transaction terms discussed are historical, specific to the circumstances described, and are not indicative of future results. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision.
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Joshua Wilson:
So Kip, in the world of private equity, for the CFOs out there, the controllers, maybe they've had an exit, you know, these founders and they want to get back into the private equity world as maybe, you know, build out the next portfolio company and have another exit. They got their first taste of private equity or an exit. What's a good way for people to think about getting into the world of leadership in private equity?
Kip Knippel:
Yeah, I would say, I mean, build a relationship with with a recruiting firm, a headhunting firm like like ours, like KIP Search, and also build relationships with private equity firms and their principals, because you just want to be on the radar of those people. because they, you know, when we're when we're recruiting for our private equity clients, for a CFO, a controller, you know, someone in the finance space, our private equity clients want leaders that have a proven track record, that have been there and done that before and enjoy that. You know, coming in, making it making immediate impact, growing the business, you know, building out the team, professionalizing the team, whatever it is, and then having the exit, and then again, doing it again in the next portfolio company. so building those relationships with recruiting firms in that space is important. But then also, you know, I'd always try to put myself in the shoes of those executives. I want to build relationships with private equity firm leaders, their principals, you know, the GPs. so that they know me and I'm on their radar already, so they think of me when opportunities come around.
President & CEO, KIP Search
Kip Knippel is President and CEO of KIP Search, a retained executive search firm based in Minneapolis that places C-level leaders. His practice focuses on private equity, venture capital, family offices, EOS companies and emerging technology, including AI, blockchain and Web3.
He started his career as a lawyer, working on mergers and acquisitions and commercial real estate, before moving into executive recruiting. He also coaches leaders and hosts the Capitalist Culture podcast, where he talks with founders and investors about entrepreneurship, free markets and investing.
Kip holds a B.A., cum laude, in English and Communication from St. John's University and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law. Outside of work, he is a triathlete and marathoner.