Securing Your Legacy
We acquire exceptional businesses from owners, founders, and entrepreneurs who require top-tier operators. Our goal is to create a seamless transition that respects your life’s work while setting your company up to thrive for years to come.
Legacy Preservation • Founder-Friendly Transitions • Disciplined Growth Strategy • Operational Excellence • Long-Term Partnership • Empowered Management Teams • Future-Proof Value Creation •
Legacy Preservation • Founder-Friendly Transitions • Disciplined Growth Strategy • Operational Excellence • Long-Term Partnership • Empowered Management Teams • Future-Proof Value Creation •
The Team
Dr. Zemfira Khisaeva - Partner
Zemfira Khisaeva is the kind of leader every founder hopes to pass their business on to—strategic, empathetic, and relentlessly capable. With deep expertise in business transformation, M&A, digital strategy, and operational excellence, Zemfira has spent her career leading change across global organizations. As a former senior leader at McKinsey & Company and Global Head of Technology Strategy at Scotiabank, she has driven enterprise-wide digitization, built strategy in the face of regulatory disruption, and delivered large-scale performance turnarounds. Her leadership is informed not just by boardroom strategy but by real-world operational depth. She’s worked at the intersection of compliance, technology, and people—and earned the trust of colleagues, CEOs, and industry peers alike. Zemfira was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women in FinTech in Canada (2019) and Top 50 Women Leaders in Toronto (2022). An experienced entrepreneur, Zemfira has co-founded multiple ventures in AI and FinTech, bringing a hands-on understanding of how to modernize and scale legacy businesses. Zemfira holds a PhD in Analytical Mechanics from McGill University and a PhD in Materials Science from USTU.
Jay Steinback - Partner
Jay Steinback has held pivotal roles as Founder, CEO, CTO, and Chairman across a range of companies in his 20+ year career. Having grown up in a multi-generational Midwest retail business, Jay was deeply immersed in all facets of operations—from warehousing and logistics to sales, marketing, and tech implementation. Elevated to CEO at age 30, he led a complex family buyout and rollup at 35, and later orchestrated a successful exit to private equity in 2019. Jay intimately understands what it means to operate a family business—the weight of generational legacy, the emotional complexity of transition, and the importance of finding the right successor. His experience informs a deeply empathetic, founder-first approach to acquisitions. Following his exit, Jay founded VUE Enterprises, a vertically integrated real estate ecosystem that included brokerage, mortgage, and title operations—all powered by unified, custom-built software. Within three years, the brokerage ranked among the top five in its market. Jay also played a foundational role as one of the founding members of Arch Grants, a VC-backed incubator, and brings extensive experience across venture-backed startups and strategic leadership.
What We Are Looking For
Quality Revenue
Recurring, predictable revenue streams and strong customer retention.
Geography
We are open to companies with headquarters in the United States or Canada, serving a national or international client base.
Product
Businesses offering products or services with elements of exclusivity—whether through proprietary technology, unique partnerships, or high customer switching costs.
Financial Profile
We target profitable businesses with:
- Revenue of $15M or more
- EBITDA of $2M - $15M
- Margins of 15% or higher
- Low capital intensity
What Sets Us Apart
At ZJ Capital Partners, we understand the dedication and pride that multi-generational family businesses and owner-operators have poured into their companies. We are committed to honoring your legacy while ensuring a seamless transition and continued growth. Here’s how we carry forward your life’s work with the respect it deserves:
- Legacy Preservation: We deeply respect the heritage of your business, ensuring its core values, culture, and impact as we guide it into its next chapter.
- Seamless Transition: Our structured post-acquisition plan prioritizes minimal disruption, engaging with your team, customers, and stakeholders to maintain trust and continuity during the transition.
- Growth with Pride: We leverage our expertise in real estate, retail, and financial services to identify opportunities that enhance your business’s potential, ensuring it thrives while staying true to its roots.
- Community and Brand Legacy: We’ll honor your company and family’s role in the community and keep your initiatives alive, continuing the legacies that made your brand a household name.
Our Process
We will design a clear and structured process to ensure a smooth transition for your business.
Customizable timelines 6 - 24 months.
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Stage 1:
Introductory Conversation
An initial call to understand the business and the owner’s goals, ensuring alignment on values, timeline, and vision for the future.
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Stage 2:
Confidentiality Agreement & Information Sharing
After mutual interest is confirmed, we sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and review key documents to understand the business in detail.
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Stage 3:
Preliminary Offer (IOI)
We submit a non-binding Indication of Interest (IOI) outlining a proposed valuation range and deal structure.
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Stage 4:
Due Diligence
Following IOI acceptance, we conduct focused diligence across financials, operations, customers, and legal matters to validate the opportunity.
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Stage 5:
Final Offer (LOI) & Contract Negotiation
We present a formal Letter of Intent (LOI) and negotiate final agreements with professionalism and transparency.
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Stage 6:
Closing & Transition
We finalize the transaction and collaborate closely with the seller to ensure a smooth transition for employees, customers, and partners.
