We diagnose struggling startups and bring them back to full health.
Find out moreA private equity firm that treats businesses instead of only funding them
Most investors look for companies that are already healthy. We look for good companies that are unwell. A startup with a real product and real customers can still fail because of a broken team, unclear leadership or cash running out faster than it comes in.
HK Private Equity takes a stake in startups at that turning point. We start with a full diagnosis of the business, build a recovery plan with the founders, fund it, and stay alongside them until the company is stable and growing again.
A typical case on intake
We specialize in two things: rescuing startups and rebuilding the teams behind them
We step in when a startup is low on cash, missing targets or losing momentum. We provide rescue capital and work with the founders to stabilize the business quickly.
This is our core specialty. Most struggling startups have a people problem underneath their financial problem, so we rebuild the organization so the business can recover.
Recovery follows a clear path, from the first conversation to a business that runs well without us
We meet the founders, listen to what is happening and decide together whether a full diagnosis makes sense.
We examine every vital sign: finances, team, leadership, product, operations and governance. You receive a clear written assessment of what is working and what is not.
We agree on priorities, the investment, the people changes needed and the milestones that will show the business is recovering.
We fund the plan and work inside the business: restructuring teams, bringing in leaders, setting up HR systems and reviewing progress every month.
The company can raise its next round, grow on its own or move to a new owner. We plan our exit around what is best for the business.
Six vital signs we check in every business before we recommend a treatment
| Vital sign | What we measure | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and runway | Burn rate, months of runway, cash conversion | Spending grows faster than revenue |
| Team health | Turnover, open roles, engagement, workload | Key people leaving, burnout, hiring freezes |
| Leadership | Decision-making, accountability, founder bandwidth | Founder doing every job, unclear ownership |
| Product and market | Customer retention, demand, competitive position | Churn rising, sales cycles getting longer |
| Operations | Processes, systems, delivery quality | Missed deadlines, manual workarounds |
| Governance | Board, reporting, legal and investor obligations | No monthly reporting, messy cap table |
In everything we do, from committing capital to working inside a company, we are guided by three values.
An honest diagnosis is the start of every recovery, even when it is hard to hear.
Fix the team and the results follow. We treat every employee with respect through change.
We measure success by a business that runs well without us.
Most startups don't run out of ideas. They run out of time, money or the right people. We help with all three.
From the boardroom to the front line
Human resources management is where most recoveries are won. Our HR practice works directly with founders and their teams on the areas below, and builds systems that keep working after we step back.
Clear structures, reporting lines and responsibilities so every role has a purpose and an owner.
We assess the leadership team, coach founders and recruit experienced executives where gaps exist.
Hiring plans tied to the recovery plan, with structured interviews and proper onboarding.
We find out why people leave and fix the causes, from workload to career paths.
Fair compensation and equity plans that reward the people who drive the recovery.
Regular feedback, clear goals and a culture of accountability that lasts.
We back startups with a real product and a problem that can be treated
Tell us what is happening in your business
We review your request and contact you to schedule a confidential intake conversation with a partner.
Anything you share is kept private and used only to assess how we can help.
The first conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing.