About Nickel
Investment experience informed by an operator's perspective.
Nickel Capital Partners was founded to provide business owners and management teams with a flexible, personally accountable investment partner. The firm acquires and actively invests in established companies with a long-term perspective.
Mehdi Lazrak
Founder and Managing Partner
Mehdi Lazrak is the Founder and Managing Partner of Nickel Capital Partners. He works directly with business owners and management teams, bringing flexible capital, operating experience, and a long-term commitment to each partnership.
Mehdi comes from a family of business owners and understands that a successful company represents far more than its financial results. It reflects years of hard work, trusted customer relationships, dedicated employees, and a reputation that can take decades to build. This perspective shapes Nickel’s practical and respectful approach to investing.
Before founding Nickel, Mehdi spent five years at Expedia in strategy, product management, customer experience, and operations. In his final role, he led customer operations for Orbitz and Travelocity and oversaw a $50 million P&L. He worked alongside operating teams and engineers to improve processes, manage costs, introduce new technology, and deliver a better experience for customers.
Mehdi later became an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, where he advised investors and management teams evaluating acquisitions and improving the performance of established businesses. His work included service companies, software businesses, healthcare and life sciences organizations, and other industries. This experience gave him a practical understanding of what makes businesses durable and how thoughtful investment can support their next stage of growth.
Mehdi earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and Economics from Yale University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with concentrations in Finance and Strategic Management. At Booth, he received the Chicago Booth Alumni Association Scholarship.
Raised in Casablanca, Morocco, Mehdi moved to the United States at age 18 and now lives in New York City. He approaches every potential partnership with humility, integrity, and respect for the people who made the business successful. Owners and intermediaries work with him directly—from the first conversation through the investment and beyond.
Values
How we work
Integrity
Communicate candidly, honor commitments, and address difficult questions directly.
Humility
Listen to the people who understand the business and remain open to having our assumptions challenged.
Accountability
Stay personally involved and take responsibility for decisions and results.
Respect
Recognize the work, relationships, and people behind every successful company.
Long-term thinking
Make decisions based on durable business value rather than short-term appearances.
A direct relationship from the beginning.
Nickel is intentionally principal-led. Owners and intermediaries communicate directly with Mehdi rather than being passed between business-development, transaction, and portfolio-management teams.