Brad Nathan on Redefining Private Equity

Brad Nathan, founder and President of Lynx Equity Limited, recently sat down with Canadian SME to share the story of founding Lynx, the firm’s approach to acquisitions, navigating international markets, and his advice for business leaders.

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Founding Lynx

Brad founded Lynx at a time when the market was focused on rapid growth and high valuations over steady earnings. “At the time, everyone wanted to turn a million into a billion, as opposed to turning a million into a million seven or a million three and prioritizing compound returns,” he explains. “So I focused on an area no one was really interested in.” This emphasis on sustainable returns has shaped Lynx’s philosophy ever since.

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A People-First Approach to Acquisitions

“If the math passes, that’s when you want to get to know who the people are,” Brad says. He recalls meeting the owners of Label Express, who told him it was refreshing that he focused on building a relationship rather than asking what university they attended. For Brad, profitability is just the starting point—understanding the people behind the business is what truly drives successful acquisitions.

Lynx’s buy-and-hold model is built on preserving what works. Rather than overhauling successful operations, the firm lets businesses continue doing what they do best while offering administrative and growth support.

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International Perspective and Market Trends

Brad also spoke about the competitive Canadian banking environment, where access to appropriate financing has become more challenging. With banks becoming less flexible domestically, Lynx’s international reach allows the company to target markets with more business-friendly policies, ensuring continued growth opportunities.

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Leadership Principles

Brad’s entrepreneurial advice includes:

• Surround yourself with good, decent people

• Pay yourself last

• Always have capital reserves for emergencies

• Be willing to take calculated risks

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Lasting Success Through Discipline and Relationships

For Brad Nathan, building value isn’t about chasing the flashiest numbers—it’s about patience, discipline, and respect for the businesses Lynx acquires. By focusing on people, preserving legacies, and staying adaptable in a changing global market, Lynx has built a portfolio that thrives for the long term.

Listen to the entire interview with Canadian SME here.