Meeli has a passion for innovation and culture, follows the start-up scene for latest developments and is fascinated by how technology and AI make ambiguous or ‘fluffy’ domains like culture/people quantifiable and even predictable.
Meeli is leading the Digital Due Diligence practice at Palladium, drawing from her experience in mostly start-up/scale-up businesses. She’s led DDD engagements on various mid-market deals from e-commerce to business services and insurance across the UK, Europe and the US.
Before joining Palladium, Meeli worked at Rocket Internet (aka the ‘startup factory’ that invests in and incubates digital businesses) during the $4bn IPO. She has also advised and worked in blockchain and AI-powered businesses in FinTech, Team Analytics, Employee Engagement/Culture and AdTech.
Briefly describe what your average day looks like?
I’m usually managing multiple projects at a time which includes developing a methodology, discussing findings with the team, preparing for and attending management presentations, reviewing work, and discussing findings with the PE client or management.
Outside of delivery work, I spend my time planning the evolution/growth of the Due Diligence function, interviewing candidates, reading investment memorandums and writing scopes, having regular catch-ups with our PE clients and new business meetings or rewriting our due diligence training course for BVCA/PE clients.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I’m the kind of person who gets bored easily, but that doesn’t happen in this role as I’m constantly learning about new industries/business models and from our talented team.
What’s the best thing about working at Palladium Group?
I enjoy coming in at the early stages of the project/company, so being part of an innovative proposition where I can shape things in the direction that I think makes sense. I find this really rewarding. Inventing how due diligence is done is an exciting challenge.
Also, operating like a nimble upstart whilst being part of a larger listed business combines, in my opinion, the best of both worlds.
What’s been one of your proudest moments working at Palladium?
As a young company, being considered the industry leaders in Digital Due Diligence and working alongside established names in PE, consulting and investment banking has been very rewarding.
What do you like doing when you’re not in the office?
Travel, read, yoga and snowboarding.
What inspires you?
People who’ve done the (seemingly) impossible.
Fill in the blank: I once met…
Prince Charles when he visited Estonia. He stayed in a hotel just outside my secondary school. We all ran outside to see him and he came over for a chat and asked us if we'd read Harry Potter. I've also met Charles Handy, who's been rated among the Thinkers 50 most influential living management thinkers and who writes about organisational behaviour and management.
If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation: I’d love to eliminate morning commute and spend all my weekends in beautiful places.
What are five words of advice for others in your profession?
Know your strengths and leverage them.
Anything else you want us to know about you?
I’ve lived in 6 different countries.
Articles by Meelimari
Why Digital Should Be Part of the Due Diligence Toolkit
Real Deals Due Diligence Special Edition: Digital Due Diligence Q&A
