We buy and operate enduring businesses.
Primitive Holdings is a private investment firm that buys and operates businesses for the long term.
Investment Philosophy
Our Approach
Value-Focused
We're value investors focused on fundamentals, not fads. We target stable businesses at reasonable valuations (typically under 4x EBITDA) and maintain conservative balance sheets.
Fast Decision-Making
Time is everyone's most valuable asset. We make decisions swiftly—we typically choose to make an offer within 48 hours of receiving the financials and key business information.
In the Trenches
We're operators at heart, not financiers. We spend most of our time running and growing our businesses. We're not afraid to get our hands dirty, and this will become evident the moment we start working together.
Investment Criteria
What We Look For
We're relatively industry and geography-agnostic investors. Our focus is entirely on acquiring businesses with strong fundamentals that we can nurture and grow for decades to come.
Deal Structure & Size
- Full or majority transition of the business (typically +80%)
- EBITDA between $500K and $10 million
- Flexible transaction structures available to meet seller needs
Owner Situation
- Owner seeking retirement or a liquidity event
- Existing team remains in place
- Prefer owners who value a successful handover and preserving their legacy
Business Fundamentals
- Consistent financial performance for 3+ years
- Sustainable competitive advantage or clear market differentiation
Geography
- Location-agnostic (we buy globally)
- We relocate after purchasing the business (we're on the ground and don't believe in managing remotely)
About Us
Our Story
Wes De Silvestro is the sole shareholder and founder of Primitive Holdings. Wes has spent his career as an entrepreneur and operator, having founded and grown multiple, successful businesses in the energy and technology industries.
The inspiration for Primitive Holdings came from Wes's own experience as a business owner looking to sell. After encountering private equity firms more focused on quick returns than sustainable growth, he recognized the need for a different approach. This firsthand experience shaped Primitive's philosophy of patient, operator-focused acquisitions that preserve the legacy of the businesses we acquire.
Wes graduated from Harvard College with an A.B. in Government. A fun fact about Wes is that he is a local government nerd and passionate about challenging government to serve its consituents better. He once built his own custom polling software and helped elected city councilors in several cities throughout the United States. Outside of work, you'll likely find him exploring the hiking trails of the Bay Area or in a meditative gym session.