Playbooks to “Exit Animals”: François Candelon on AI, Alignment & Speed as the Future of Value Creation

In a candid conversation, François Candelon, Partner Value Creation at Seven2, shares how his 30 years at BCG shaped a systematic yet customised approach to value creation. He explains why the fundamentals are non-negotiable, how aligning early on the “exit animal” transforms outcomes, and why AI will define winners and losers in private equity over the next decade. For operating partners, deal teams, and portfolio executives, this interview offers a clear roadmap for balancing structure with speed and ambition with execution.

For operating partners, deal teams, and portfolio executives, this interview offers a clear roadmap for balancing structure with speed and ambition with execution.

Download to Learn:

• How to lock in strategic alignment in the first 100 days to accelerate value creation
• Why AI should focus on “hunting elephants” (transformational opportunities) rather than scattered use cases
• How governance, leadership, and rapid response systems act as a portfolio’s life insurance policy

For deal teams and operating partners, his message is clear: value creation today is about speed, scale, and boldness.