Our Founder

Karla Petrac-Patel

Karla Petrac-Patel founded Skyfer Capital after years of investing in European businesses. At TA Associates, she worked on the sale of Priority Software, an ERP solutions provider, to Blackstone. She also played a role in merging The Netrisk Group with Bauer's online comparison platforms across Central and Eastern Europe. Her expertise lies in B2B software and business services in the CEE region. Before TA, Karla worked at Centerview Partners on major deals like AstraZeneca's $39 billion Alexion purchase and Sanofi's $1.9 billion Kadmon acquisition. A Sciences Po Paris finance graduate, Karla speaks Croatian, English, French, and Russian. Her Croatian roots and diverse background help her navigate European investments skilfully.

Our Advisory Board Members

Kris Wadia

Kris Wadia is a recognized expert on launches and transformations in the technology sector.  Whilst a Partner at Accenture UK, he was part of the core team that built the industry’s first Global Delivery Network for 24x7 application development and management.  This required the hiring of 89,000 new employees across 27 countries, 5 of which were in the CEE. Using his Investor Relations skills, he crafts memorable value propositions that attract rapid funding. Most recently, he served as a Senior Advisor to a family office for the sale of their technology businesses to a listed Indian financial services conglomerate.  Kris enjoys serving as an Executive Coach to a limited group of high-performing start-up founders.  He is now based in the United Arab Emirates, with regular travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, further extending his network of capital providers.

Klaus Schmidt

Klaus Schmidt is an internationally experienced entrepreneur and C-level executive with expertise in strategic development, digital transformation, turnaround, and change management across the software and technology sectors (EMEA, US, China). From 2016 to 2022, he led MAGIX Software GmbH as Co-Owner and CEO, where he reshaped the company’s strategy, managed the acquisition and integration of Sony’s former software division (SCS), drove expansion into North America and China, and led the M&A process, culminating in an exit to private equity firm Capiton in 2018. With broad knowledge of digital and software businesses and M&A projects, Klaus has a proven track record of scaling companies through growth initiatives, marketing programs, and the development of next-generation products, from concept to market launch. He has lived in both China and North America and now enjoys mentoring young entrepreneurs as an advisor, board member, or coach. Klaus has three children and divides his time between Hamburg and Zurich.

Our Team

Our team is made up of seasoned experts with decades of experience in operating and investing across a number of industries. We have a proven track record of working with founder-owned businesses, bringing not only capital but also fresh energy, actionable ideas and hands-on support to help them thrive. We leverage our extensive networks and communities of top-tier experts to unlock new opportunities and innovatively address challenges and we work shoulder-to-shoulder alongside founders to ensure sustainable growth and success.