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> The key is that Mittelstand businesses are much less likely to fail.

Citation needed.

Around half of new businesses in the US fail after five years[0], and it is reasonable to assume the vast majority are small.

Mom and pop businesses fail all the time, we just don't hear about it very often.

Also, one of the key properties of Mittelstand, as I understand it, is that you don't need, or indeed want, an exit. It's (ideally) a cosy, lifestyle business.

I agree that this is a healthy approach and more people should be aware this is a viable option, but I'm not so sure it can be mixed with PE or VC (for the reasons I mentioned).

[0] https://www.lendingtree.com/business/small/failure-rate/




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