Link raises further capital

The initial target - set at NZ$3.25m - was bolstered by enthusiasm from internal staff, executives, brokers, directors and external investors, and enabled Link to exceed expectations, with an oversubscription of NZ$200,000. This follows Link’s first capital raise round in August 2017, where the business secured NZ$3.14m.

This latest private raise, via online investment platform Snowball Effect, saw half of the investment come from the company’s internal team members and board while the other half was sourced from independent investors looking to capitalise on a strong cash flow positive business.   

‘There aren’t many companies raising capital who have stable revenues underpinning the core business. We have a proven model which has been scaled throughout the world, so this was a sort of ‘unicorn’ opportunity,’ says Aaron Toresen, Link CEO.

Toresen began leading the firm in 2005 - following its establishment as an Auckland-based boutique business brokerage in 1996. Under Toresen’s stewardship, the firm grew exponentially, with the company now employing over 450 brokers in five countries, and owning the largest business brokerage in California.

Link shows no signs of slowing down, with the external equity already being put to good use. The firm recently purchased the largest business brokerage in Melbourne, sold four new territory franchises in the United States, another in the Philippines and an additional franchise here in New Zealand.  

The remaining funds will be utilised to drive further key acquisitions and franchise expansions, along with developments in its web and IT and to support its recruitment efforts. Link has hired more than 20 brokers between July and November this year in New Zealand alone, and its office in Los Angeles has expanded from 22 to 38 brokers within the same period. 

‘Our strategy is clear, defined and easy to understand. Link is over double the size of its closest competitors in New Zealand, which gives us the strategic advantage which investors appreciate,’ says Toresen.

Simeon Burnett, CEO and co-founder of Snowball Effect was pleased with the raise and the response from both new and existing investors.

‘A good number of experienced investors found the Link offer compelling with plenty of reasons to back it. They exceeded what they said they were going to after their previous offer, and this saw an excellent response from existing investors and also those that were new to the opportunity,’ he says. 

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