Global Investment Advisory

•	Support and lead M&A, private equity, and portfolio management initiatives for midmarket and growth-stage clients, focusing on industrials, technology, and consumer sectors, with an emphasis on enhancing shareholder value through strategic acquisitions and investments.
	•	Direct global investment strategies across the US, Asia Pacific, and Middle East, overseeing deal origination, financing, and portfolio oversight for diverse clients, including midmarket rollups and technology-focused firms.
	•	Provide interim operational leadership to portfolio companies, leveraging extensive experience in operational optimization to improve financial performance and scalability, particularly in challenging market conditions.

Senior Consultant, M&A and Private Equity

Early-Stage Investments

•	Provide strategic guidance to early-stage companies in technology, SaaS and other sectors, structuring investments and supporting operational growth through financial planning, corporate structuring, and market expansion strategies.

Angel Investor / Advisor

Defence Sector Investments

•	Advised defence sector clients on development strategies, focusing on integrating technology and training solutions to enhance operational and financial outcomes.
	•	Cultivated relationships with global defence stakeholders, including NATO, to support strategic growth and investment opportunities in the sector.

Advisor

Defence Sector Transactions

•	Supported defence sector transactions by developing and presenting strategic bids for military training and maintenance contracts in the GCC, securing opportunities to expand client presence.
	•	Collaborated with regional partners to align investment strategies with market demands, ensuring operational and financial alignment.

Consultant

Royal Air Force (RAF)

•	Managed high-value assets (£200M+), leading teams to achieve operational excellence and financial efficiency in mission-critical environments.
•	Gained first-hand leadership and management experience from: 1) combat operations, 2) training delivery, 3) real-time operations management, and 4) defence procurement.

Senior Officer, Pilot, and Qualified Helicopter Instructor

Business Leader & Strategic Advisor | Emerging Technology | Defence & Security | Private Equity & Corporate Finance

Seasoned financial professional, with over 20 years global experience, currently leading on M&A, private equity, and portfolio management - complemented with operational leadership experience across a broad range of sectors. 

Formerly, a senior Royal Air Force officer & pilot, I now serve as an advisor, executing high-value transactions; occasionally, providing interim operational oversight for active investments, across the US, Asia Pacific, and LatAm.

I specialise in structuring complex deals, building consensus among stakeholders, enhancing shareholder value, and driving operational efficiency (when required).

My expertise spans identifying high-potential opportunities, optimizing financial performance, and delivering measurable outcomes, underpinned by strategic insight and operational acumen.

Core Competencies: Deal Structuring | Portfolio Management | Operational Oversight | Relationship Management

Dan Collingridge-Padbury

Audeo Ventures

Audeo Ventures is an independent investment bank specialising in tailored financial advisory for high-growth companies. We provide bespoke solutions in M&A, capital raising, and strategic consulting, guiding entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders through complex financial transactions with precision and discretion.

I focus on Aerospace & Defence, Space, Government Technology, Tech Sovereignty, Cybersecurity, AI, and National Security, working with both manufacturers (hard parts, components, systems) and service providers (consulting, maintenance, IT, data, software, distribution, and more). We support businesses operating in NATO countries, helping them navigate strategic transactions, secure investments, and drive sustainable growth.

At Audeo Ventures, we combine deep sector expertise with an uncompromising commitment to excellence, trust, and long-term partnership - unlocking value for clients in the industries that shape the future of security.

Partner

Karukera Capital

Karukera Capital is a VC Fund (focusing on blockchain technologies and AI) as well as an advisory firm (covering SME acquisitions, fund creation and management, and startups  growth).

Founder & Partner

Agence de l'innovation de défense

As an Adviser at "Agence Innovation Défense" (Defence Innovation Fund) - a €1 billion EUR government Fund investing in French Defence early stage startups - my role consisted in:

1) Assessing the technological feasibility (on Software, Hardware, AI and, to a lesser extent, Cyber Security aspects) of the projects that early stage startups asking for capital were working on 
2) Based on the assessment mentioned above, allocating capital to the startups fitting the Fund's thesis and objectives 
3) Overseeing the technical developments of portfolio companies and helping them build partnerships with national corporations in the French space and defence sector

Investment Adviser

DGA - Direction générale de l'armement

DGA is the French Government defence procurement and technology agency. I was part of DGA TA (DGA Techniques Aéronautiques), DGA's site in Toulouse, France.

- Specified, designed, assessed and audited Safety-Critical software embedded in both military and civilian systems. 
- Conducted compliance and auditing activities for the benefit of the French and European Regulatory Authorities.
- Supervised low TRL (Technology Readiness Level) projects in the field of Computer and Software Engineering.
- Coordinated a Working Group that addressed matters related to overlaps between robustness properties (encompassing dependability, availability, maintainability, integrity) of Safety-Critical software and their cybersecurity constraints.
- Initiated and conducted an AI-based software project to assist Airworthiness Authorities in their compliance activities (compliance with DO-178 C standard). 

Projects I worked on involved major stakeholders in the Aerospace and Defence industry such as Airbus Defense and Space, THALES, Astrium, MBDA, Naval Group and SAFRAN to name a few.

Aerospace Engineer | Safety-Critical System and Software Expert

French Ministry for Armed Forces

I have occupied two positions as a Military Officer for the French Military Forces:
-The first position was in the French Navy, on board a battleship; deployed to the Middle East, East Africa and South-East Asia. 
-The second position was as an Aerospace Engineer for the French Ministry of Defence, focusing on Safety-Critical software (see description above).

As a Navy Officer, my role on board the battleship while sailing included:
- Monitoring the tactical situation and participating in the development of appropriate response scenarios;
- Conducting naval combat training (Surface-to-Surface and Surface-to-Air) for Navy Officer Cadets;
- Serving as Deputy Commander of the Anti-Surface & Electronic Warfare Department;
- Maintaining and operating anti-surface warfare assets.

Military Officer - Captain

University of Science Ho Chi Minh City

Participated in the development of a back-end API (Application Programming Interface) for the online coding platform of the Computer Science Laboratory of the University of Science of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Engineer at the Computer Science Laboratory

Former French Navy Officer & Aerospace Engineer, now focused on M&A, strategic investments, and advisory in Aerospace, Defence, Space, Cybersecurity, AI, and National Security.

Founder of Karukera Capital, specializing in SME acquisitions, VC investments, and strategic advisory.

Previously, French Navy Officer who got deployed in the Gulf Region and Eastern Africa for counter-piracy ops (Op. Atalanta).

Then, Aerospace Engineer—specialized in embedded systems for missiles, drones, naval systems and aircraft (civil & military). Worked on European defence & space programs across France, UK, Spain & Germany.

Advised a €1B government fund, focusing on early-stage AI & defence tech startups.

Global perspective—lived in France, UK, the Caribbean, China, Vietnam & Thailand.

taplio

The Battle

Dan Collingridge-Padbury

Anthony Calpas

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