Our Acquisition Process

A Permanent Home for Mission-Critical Software Companies

Our Investment Philosophy

At Dorado, we don’t buy companies to reshape them; we invest in them to expand what’s already working. As part of Constellation Software Inc. (TSX: CSU), we take a permanent capital approach: acquiring and holding businesses for life. This gives founders the confidence to transition their company without fear of short-term pressure that could lead to misalignment with teams and customers.

Not Just Growth. But, Good Growth.

We believe in growth that improves outcomes for customers, industries, and the environment. Whether it’s enabling digital transformation in agriculture or reducing waste in apparel production, our investments are driven by long-term value creation.

 

Sustainable business is good business, and that belief shapes every decision we make.

What We Look For

We acquire vertical market software companies solving essential challenges in high-impact sectors. While every business is unique, we look for shared qualities that reflect long-term potential, purpose-driven leadership, and alignment with our sustainability mandate.

Geography

We focus on companies headquartered in:


 

  • North America
  • Western & Central Europe



We believe in proximity and partnership. Our regional focus ensures we can support each business meaningfully while respecting its autonomy, location, and leadership structure.

Financial Profile

We are flexible in how we evaluate businesses, but we typically look for:


  • $5–50M+ in annual revenue
  • (Path to) Profitability
  • Recurring or subscription-based revenue models
  • Strong customer retention and low churn


 

We value consistency, customer loyalty, and a demonstrated ability to deliver value over time, all hallmarks of lasting product-market fit.

Company Profile

The companies we acquire are often:


 

  • Founder-owned or independently operated
  • Providers of mission-critical software solutions
  • Focused on specific verticals where environmental impact, compliance, and resource efficiency are business imperatives



We seek businesses with clear use cases, defensible niches, and leadership teams that deeply understand the industries they serve.

Management & Culture

We look for:


 

  • Long-term orientation in strategy and decision-making
  • Values-driven teams that care about their customers, their people, and the broader systems they serve


 

We believe strong leadership is about more than hitting growth targets; it’s about vision, discipline, and a commitment to progress that lasts.

Where We Invest

We back software companies that serve the world’s most essential systems: energy, water, food, materials, and movement. These are not trend-driven plays. They are lasting, mission-critical markets where technology has the power to reduce impact, increase efficiency, and regenerate what matters most.


We seek out vertical market software businesses with clear purpose, proven traction, and the kind of leadership that plays the long game. Founders who care about people and planet. Companies that solve real problems in sectors that move the world forward.

Our Focus Areas

We invest in sustainability-aligned software across four key domains:

Energy & Environmental Software

Enabling clean generation, grid optimization, and smarter environmental compliance.

Agriculture & Agrifood Technology

Supporting sustainable yield, resource efficiency, and resilience across the food chain.

Apparel &
Textiles

Reducing waste and digitizing production in resource-intensive industries.

Supply Chain & Logistics Software

Powering more efficient, transparent, and circular global movement of goods.

How We Help Companies Grow

At Dorado, we invest for the long term, in order to support meaningful progress. We work alongside leadership teams to strengthen what’s working, evolve what needs attention, and create space for companies to grow with purpose.

 

Our approach is grounded in partnership and guided by practical support:

Strategic Coaching

Hands-on guidance from experienced operators, tailored to each business’s goals and realities.

Operational Playbooks

Proven best practices across go-to-market, product, customer success, and more. Available when needed, never mandated.

Leadership Development

We help businesses scale sustainably by supporting succession planning and strengthening internal leadership capacity.

Peer Networks

A community of software leaders sharing insights and solutions across verticals.

Shared Services

Specialized support in Finance, Legal, HR, IT and Marketing, accessible without sacrificing autonomy.

Why Partner with Dorado

A partnership with Dorado is built on permanence, purpose and partnership.

Growing What Works, Together

We build enduring software businesses alongside founder-led teams.



 

As part of Constellation Software Inc. (TSX: CSU), we operate permanently, with no exit timelines, no forced integration, and no pressure to flip businesses. This gives leaders the freedom to focus on long-term value creation instead of short-term outcomes.

 

We enable teams to run their businesses independently while providing access to decades of operational expertise, peer insights, and Constellation’s global network. The result is strategic support without disruption.

Strategic Support, When You Need It

We accelerate growth through a highly supportive model. Our network offers:


 

  • Knowledge sharing, best practices, and coaching from Constellation’s global community
  • HR guidance to build and retain high-performing, engaged teams
  • Marketing support to refine your go-to-market strategy and grow your brand
  • Finance expertise in forecasting, accounting, and vendor management
  • Operational insights to improve IT, cybersecurity, and analytics
  • Legal guidance on contracts, compliance, and governance
  • Support for strategic M&A and business development

Our Approach

We understand that selling your business is a big decision. Our process is built on transparency, trust, and long-term partnership, from the first conversation to a successful close.

01. Meet with Us

We strive to build long-term relationships with owners and operators of vertical software businesses. Whether it's at a trade show, over dinner, or during a simple phone call, our corporate development team is always available to chat about your business and share best practices from operating over 1,300 businesses around the world.

02. Speak with an Operator

Meet our Portfolio Manager, and Investment Team. Learn what it's like to be part of Constellation Software Inc. (TSX: CSU). Discuss what an acquisition process would look like. Share best practices.

03. Sign an NDA

Having completed over 1,300 transactions, our legal team has standard templates to ensure a quick and efficient process. We take the sensitivity of your information very seriously. Each conversation will primarily involve one of our senior operators and a couple of members of our corporate development and M&A team.

04. Discuss Fit

Open and transparent conversations are critical during this stage. We want to make sure your company is set up for success from Day 1. This includes creating a clear plan for how the business will operate going forward, along with a mutual understanding of any potential changes.

05. Sign a Letter of Intent (LOI)

Expect the remainder of the process to take approximately four weeks. Integration planning may begin during this phase, when appropriate.

06. Due Diligence

Our internal legal, finance, tax, and M&A teams support the process from initial offer to close. This ensures an efficient transaction with a focus on speed and clarity.

07. Close

We operate with a high degree of closing certainty, backed by experience from over 1,300 acquisitions. Once the deal is done, we focus on strengthening the business.

Backed by
Financial Stability. Built for Life.

We offer the scale and operational depth of a global software powerhouse. That means:


 

  • Fast, transparent deal processes
  • No pressure to exit
  • Access to proven growth frameworks
  • The freedom to evolve

See How We Help Companies Grow With Intention

We know selling your business is more than a transaction, it’s a turning point. If you’re exploring what’s next, we’re ready to have a real conversation. No pressure. No push. Just a thoughtful exchange about your goals and how we might help support them.

 

Dorado is more than a portfolio. It’s a permanent home for software companies shaping a more sustainable world.