The Silk Road into Central & Eastern Europe,
plus a focus on
South America, Africa and the Middle East
CEO level experience in the region gives us insight into the keys to successful transactions. It also gives us a broad network of decision makers in the region and in major financial centers. This experience enables us to build the trust necessary to bridge the gap in expectations and practices in the region and international financial centers.
Focused on what we know
Client Location
Many clients either have a domicile or operate a business with a "New Silk Road" Nexus (Central Asia, Turkey, Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine), or in Emerging Markets in Africa, South America and the Middle East. This focus perfectly coincides with our experience and knowledge.
Funding Sourcing
Either directly or using our expansive network, VAII sources funding and investment both regionally and globally. UK, EU, Turkey, Middle East, USA, India, Local Markets, International Banks, Local Banks, International and Regional Funds, IFIs, EximBanks, and Family Offices.
Main Industry Focus
Metals and Mining
Agriculture (mainly proteins and fats)
Energy – both renewable and traditional (oil and gas)
FIG (focus on FinTech) - funding, alternative and digital asset classes, trading; cash and derivatives
AI - specifically safety & security focus
FMCG, autos, and light machinery
Transport - infrastructure or deal related.
OUR CORE SERVICES
Sourcing Funding & Investable Projects
Whether a new project, expanding a current project or reviving a stalled project there is a lack of interested parties to fund or invest in many challenging countries. At the same time, there are are not enough resources from lenders and investors to source and model appropriate regional deals. VAII bridges that gap, we act for either party and are able to prepare models, business plans, collateral packages and financial projections at a standard and at level of detail that is expected by all parties; with risks and alternatives identified and addressed. There are many options and opportunities but only a few that are worth considering. VAII is able to identify those transactions and the information and analysis required to bring success to all parties.
Examples are:
Advisor providing Business Plans and Financial Modeling
Trading and Hedging strategies
Project Manager (including identifying and negotiation with potential financiers and investors)
Team Manager (assist with lawyers and other firms needed to close a deal)
Restructuring Advisory
Many times there is simply a disconnect between interested parties (lenders, investors and the company). Our role is to act on behalf of any of the parties, either as advisor, CRO, or Board Member, to find a workable and practical solution; both operationally and in a new capital structure. With VAII having real world experience, we have the credibility and knowledge to find success where others have failed. No situation is the same and a creative bespoke solution must be identified and then negotiated. Transparency and practicality are cornerstones to this process.
Examples are:
Hands-on CRO
Board Member
Advisor providing Business Plans and Financial Modeling
Project Manager (including identifying and negotiation with potential financiers and investors)
Team Manager (assist with lawyers and other firms needed to close a deal)
Investment & Project Management
VAII or an affiliate may co-invest and be involved in the management of a project. VAII stands by the transactions we associate ourselves with, thus ensuring full commitment to the long term success of any project for our co-investors.
We have assisted a substantial family office to develop an investment strategy focused on the Energy transition and emerging technologies. We have sourced deals and managed the investment process in minority and majority equity investments, mezzanine debt and royalty streams. We continue to monitor and advise investee managements. a VAII affiliate co-invests in these projects.
Examples are:
Project Manager (including identifying and negotiation with potential financiers and investors)
Team Manager (assist with lawyers and other firms needed to close a deal)
Long term Management and Shareholder Advisor and Principal
Deal monitoring; as a Board Member or Advisor
Project and Expectation Management
Many deals fail for a number of reasons, but in our experience can mainly be broken into three areas:
Disconnect on current and future value expectatons between local and international investors.
Lack of transparency of information and inexperienced management combined with and inexperienced Board of Directors.
Overly optimistic plans combined with a lack of a clear exit strategy. This results in continued under performance, over promising results and plans and the rejection of good offers to exit.
VAII focuses to reconcile all these points in any deal construct.