Together with her Co-founder, Frister Haveman, Nicola Ebmeyer created Gain.pro, a company that now boasts over 250 employees and 150 clients, including all four major consulting firms as well as Goldman Sachs, UBS and Blackstone. Gain.pro’s mission is to provide insight into the world’s companies. Ebmeyer told us more about her career path and her management philosophy.
Describe your current job role.
I co-founded Gain.pro in 2018 and serve as Co-CEO, spearheading a team of approximately 250 employees globally to develop a cutting-edge private market intelligence platform. I find inspiration by focusing on building a product that I would have loved to use myself when I was still sitting at the other side of the table.
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?
Launching Gain.Pro and the success we’ve seen has definitely been memorable. Prior to starting Gain.Pro, I had a fulfilling career at McKinsey and some people were convinced that I was making a big mistake by leaving. But I saw an opportunity to start a business and thought: I’ll go for it.
The initial years were challenging. With limited financial means we had to build a product that people want and are willing to pay for. The search for the right product-market fit was a period of uncertainty. Fortunately, within three months we launched our Minimal Viable Product (MVP) and secured paying customers within six months, who remain satisfied users to date. Today, we’re a company of international scale with over 150 clients and have raised €20 million in funding.
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position?
One of our values is that ‘people are our greatest asset’. We strive to create an inclusive and trusting environment where your own contribution determines your progression. Personally, I’m very hands-on so when we have new team members, in the beginning, I stay close, and if things go well, I let go. That said, even with employees who have been here for two or three years, I sometimes delve into the details. I don’t think it’s right to let go too quickly and we can all continue to learn from one another too.
I also believe it’s important that everyone at Gain.Pro knows exactly what they need to do every day and how their work contributes to our goals. If we don’t communicate that clearly, people sometimes are tempted to work on things they find interesting or think are important but that the company doesn’t need. I continue to talk about our vision, our plans, our DNA and our culture so we can ensure that everyone is on the same page and heading in the same direction.
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry?
We see firms making significant investments into their tech stack. Historically, the M&A industry has been very much relationship driven. A good investor had strong links with the best advisors and a big network of business owners. The personal element is still important in today’s deal environment but the industry has gotten a lot more competitive and transparent. These dynamics require investment professionals to have better visibility on their market and identify opportunities earlier than before. Tools like Gain.pro support industry players in achieving exactly that.
If you could go back and change one career decision, what would it be?
I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than where I am right now in my career. My years at McKinsey taught me valuable lessons when it comes to analytical rigour, impact focus and stakeholder management. It’s my role as business owner that’s truly fulfilling me and it’s my past decisions that have brought me here.
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a C-level position in your industry?
Be passionate about what you do and be prepared to be in there for the long-term. We can occasionally get lucky but I believe that perseverance and dedication are the ingredients to lasting success. Not to forget, be vocal about your plans. People need to know your aspirations in order to consider you for a leadership role in the first place.
What behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success to and why?
I’m highly ambitious, have always been thinking big and I am willing to put in the work that is required to achieve my goals. It hasn’t been a straight journey from a small village in Bavaria to the C-level of one of Europe’s fastest growing SaaS companies. A scholarship for a leading US university opened the doors to an international business education and at McKinsey I had the honour to learn from extremely talented colleagues and clients. I’m not taking the status for granted but I’m always looking to push existing boundaries further. Success starts with a winning mindset!
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
I thrive on high energy, embracing an active lifestyle. I relish a touch of healthy competition and am enthusiastic about learning new things, currently preparing for my first triathlon.
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months?
This year has revolved around scaling Gain.pro to become the leading private market intelligence in Europe while balancing my role as a first-time mother. This means that I have actively deprioritised parts of my life that I put more emphasis on in the past, like living an active social life or going on adventurous travels. But the payoff has been worth it. Looking ahead, the plan involves establishing our New York office in 2024, demanding increased time in the US, alongside doubling our European business. Steering our management team with clarity amid such growth remains a thrilling challenge I eagerly embrace!