Créer sa boutique M&A : le pari de Mickael Fitoussi

“In my early days, there was nothing. Just me, my backpack, my iPhone, my ThinkPad… and a conviction. 👔🎙 In April 2021, Mickael Fitoussi decided to create Longchamp Partners, an M&A boutique specializing in the Software and IT services sectors. After starting his career in consulting, a stint in Private Equity at Andera Partners, and then more than 10 years in M&A at MK Finance / In Extenso, Mickael decided in 2021 to switch sides and create his own investment bank. 🕐 Chapters: 0:00 Teaser 0:42 Introduction to Mickael & welcome at Longchamp Partners 1:15 Family of entrepreneurs, Sorbonne University & the 2008 Lehman Brothers crisis 2:04 Landing the interview in 2 hours, without any preparation 3:37 First experience in M&A: the revelation of SmallCap 4:02 Stint at Aforge Finance: the LBO Factory 4:46 Investor perspective at Andera: understanding this What makes a deal valuable? 5:41 10 years at In Extenso Finance: from 5 to 45 people 6:29 The three-pronged approach to deals (technical, investor, entrepreneur) 7:35 30 M&A deals: lessons from generalism 8:30 The game changer: discovering SaaS KPIs (ARR, churn, NRR…) 9:24 March 2020: lockdown as an entrepreneurial trigger 11:20 Backpack, iPhone, WeWork: the reality of day 1 11:45 Leaving your team after 10 years: the departure negotiation 13:04 Where does the name "Longchamp Partners" come from? (golf anecdote) 14:14 The bold choice: specializing in IT services & software 14:31 What is an IT services company? (Clear definition) 15:19 Specialist vs. generalist: becoming a sector-specific market maker 17:20 Why Longchamp isn't raising funds 19:01 3 emblematic transactions (conflicting partners, single-client IT services company, Dydu × Zaion) 22:56 His biggest failure: rejected on a deal he knew better than anyone 24:37 5 years & +90% conversion rate: the #1 KPI 25:44 IT services market crisis: first decline since 2008 27:14 Will AI disrupt SaaS valuations? 29:34 How AI is already changing the daily life of an M&A banker 31:04 The junior tasks that AI will replace (and those it will never be able to do) 33:26 The challenges of Longchamp Partners: growing without losing its DNA 34:33 The "augmented" investment banker by 2035 35:41 Recruitment: why motivation beats the CV 37:15 Interpersonal skills, the #1 skill in M&A 38:51 What you need to know (or not) before applying to Longchamp 39:41 The biggest interview mistake & the quality that makes the difference 40:53 Career Insight Quiz 43:04 "If you're different, own it" 📌 This episode is for you if: — You're preparing for interviews in M&A or investment banking — You're hesitating between a large institution and a boutique bank M&A — Are you considering creating your own finance firm? 🔗 Find us: LinkedIn:   / training-you1   Instagram:   / trainingyoufr   Website: https://training-you.fr/ 🎙️ Career Insights is the Training You podcast. In each episode, we talk with finance and consulting professionals to understand their roles, career paths, and career advice.