ABOUT US
COME BEHIND THE COUNTER
Behind the Counter is on a mission to make private markets accessible, and help owners grow their business or successfully exit.
Our Story
After two decades excelling in private equity, investment management and corporate advisory, our founder, Gavin Preston began to see a trend that would define the rest of his working career.
Frustrated by the countless number of hard-working entrepreneurs he saw who were struggling to grow or exit, simply because private markets are cumbersome and ambiguous, and they lacked a partner who could guide them, Gavin left his job to create a company that could lead entrepreneurs to financial victory.
Behind the Counter was born on the philosophy that providing transparency of private market functions and basic market principles could better serve the global community of entrepreneurs.
OUR MISSION
We believe that good corporate finance makes a profound difference in the growth of a business and, in turn, people’s lives. Every founder should be able to access the advice and resources they need to scale and land their perfect exit.
And the truth is that private markets are not as complicated as they appear to be.
Yes, good corporate finance requires financial expertise, market understanding, a solid network and a solid reputation. It is a process – it’s also not rocket science. Anyone can learn it!
Our team is passionate about demystifying markets and helping entrepreneurs leverage our financial expertise to make the right moves, scale and win.
Gavin Preston, CFA is the Managing Director of Behind the Counter, where he helps business owners scale their companies, complete transformative transactions, improve profitability, ready them for sale, and successfully exit. With over 20 years of experience spanning investment management, private equity, and CFO roles, Gavin has led and advised on transactions exceeding $1.2 billion across diverse industries.
- Directed investments in growth-stage companies, management buyouts, and start-ups ranging from $1 million to over $1 billion
- Executed diverse deal structures, including convertible debt, ordinary and preferred equity financings, and leveraged buyouts
- Advised and invested in companies across Australia, Canada, and Israel, leveraging a global perspective
- Provided strategic counsel on corporate strategy and M&A, aligning transactions with overarching business goals
- Led capital raises for early-stage businesses (Seed and Series A), engaging investors and securing funding.
- Proficient in investor presentations, due diligence, financial modelling, market research, and portfolio management.
- Active angel investor with a passion for supporting entrepreneurial ventures.
OUR CORE VALUES
INTEGRITY
We do the right thing by people and our clients.
CANDOUR
We are real and operate directly and openly.
PARTNERSHIP
We are invested in the health and success of our clients and community.
EXCELLENCE
We seek to win and create exceptional outcomes.
OUR CORE VALUES
INTEGRITY
We do the right thing by peopole and our clients.
CANDOUR
We are real and operate directly and openly.
PARTNERSHIP
We are invested in the health and success of our clients and community.
EXCELLENCE
We seek to win and create exceptional outcomes.
OUR TEAM
Leadership Team
We leverage decades of experience to help our clients grow or exit
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Grown multiple start-ups from the inside as founders and in senior finance and marketing roles.
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Led and advised on $1.2 billion+ transactions
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Global deals including in Australia, US, Canada and Israel.
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Portfolio management of public equity, private equity, balanced and venture capital funds.
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Rescued company out of receivorship.
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Worked on a wide range of equity and debt structures and deals, including: management buyouts, leveraged buyouts, growth capital, pre-seed, seed, Series A, and later stage capital raises, hybrid securities, convertible debt or preferred shares, senior secured debt, options and more.
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Spoken with hundreds of management teams around the world.