Backing the Right Founder: What We Look For (and What We Avoid)

At Ara Capital, we back founders first. Business models can evolve. Markets can shift. But a strong founder? That’s the foundation for everything.

And in healthcare — where patient outcomes, staff wellbeing, and clinical culture matter as much as margins — getting this part right is non-negotiable.

So… what makes the “right” founder?

Let’s break it down.

What We Look For

1. Clinician first, business curious

We love operators who’ve walked the floor, handled a post-op phone call at 2am, and calmed a worried parent in a waiting room.

But we also want founders who ask:

• “How do I build a repeatable model?”

• “What’s our gross margin per chair?”

• “Can we digitise our patient onboarding?”

They don’t need an MBA. Just curiosity and coachability.

2. Hungry, not reckless

The right founder is ambitious — but grounded. They know when to push and when to pause. They take calculated risks, not coin tosses.

They ask questions, seek feedback, and build for the long term.

And most importantly, they don’t chase growth at the expense of clinical quality. Ever.

3. Culture builders

Clinics live and die by their people. A great founder knows how to hire well, keep talent motivated, and lead with empathy — especially in high-stress settings.

If your nurses are staying, your receptionists smile, and your junior doctors say “this is where I want to grow” — that’s a sign of the right leader.

4. Ego parked at the door

We love confidence. But arrogance kills partnerships.

We’re here to collaborate — not to compete with your vision. The best founders see us as partners, not threats. They know where they shine and where they need support.

They’re open, honest, and ready to go on a growth journey — together.

Red Flags (a few we’ve learned the hard way…)

1. “I just want a payout.”

We get it — everyone wants to be rewarded. But if your main goal is a quick cheque and an early retirement, we’re probably not your people.

We back builders, not flippers.

2. “I know everything.”

No one knows everything. Not us. Not you. Not even your Head of Ops.

If a founder isn’t open to change, feedback, or learning — the business will hit a ceiling (fast).

The healthcare landscape evolves too quickly for fixed mindsets.

3. Poor patient outcomes or reviews

It sounds basic, but it’s critical: if your care isn’t safe, consistent, and trusted — we walk.

No amount of EBITDA can fix a business built on weak clinical quality.

4. Toxic staff culture

High turnover, burnout, gossip, blame games? These aren’t HR issues. They’re leadership issues.

We’ll help you fix systems and processes — but the people part starts with the founder. Always.

The Bottom Line

When we back a founder, we’re not just writing a cheque — we’re committing years of time, expertise, and belief.

We want partners we can trust. Leaders who inspire. Builders with heart.

Because healthcare isn’t a product. It’s personal. And when the founder gets it right — everything else follows.