Insights
From Olympic Biathlon to Clavana: Welcoming Paul Schommer
Clavana is proud to welcome Paul Schommer - US Olympian, World Cup biathlete, and trusted leader within US Biathlon - to our Origination Team. Known for his elite blend of endurance, precision, and composure under pressure, Paul now brings his competitive mindset and authentic, people-centred approach to private-markets origination as he prepares for Milano–Cortina 2026.
From Olympic Biathlon to Clavana: Welcoming Paul Schommer
Clavana is proud to welcome Paul Schommer to the Clavana Elite Athlete Program, joining our buy-side Origination Team.
A 2022 Olympian and long-standing member of the US Biathlon Team, Paul brings a rare blend of endurance, precision, resilience, and emotional composure - traits perfected in one of sport’s most demanding disciplines and now channelled into elite private-markets origination. His maturity, leadership, and grounded communication style make him an exceptional fit for Clavana’s modern, human, and fiercely effective approach.
A Career Forged in High-Pressure Performance Environments
Biathlon is a sport of paradoxes: athletes move at maximum aerobic output before transitioning within seconds to rifle shooting that demands absolute stillness. Few athletes in the world can achieve that combination of intensity and composure - and Paul has built his career mastering it.
His achievements include:
Standout ninth place in the 20km Individual - a defining endurance event
Unlike many in Europe who begin skiing and shooting in early childhood, Paul entered biathlon later - after high-school skiing and collegiate competition. That unconventional path required steep learning curves and significant resilience, shaping him into an athlete defined by adaptability, humility, and relentless drive.
Leadership Beyond the Start Line
Across the US. Biathlon community, Paul is known not just for his performance, but for his leadership off the course.
He has played a pivotal role in:
Sponsorship and fundraising strategy
Strengthening athlete support structures
Advocacy for team development and community engagement
Multiple teammates independently recommended Paul to Clavana - a strong endorsement of his character, professionalism, and commercial intuition.
His commitment to community extends even further: Paul is deeply invested in outdoor stewardship, foraging, hunting, craftsmanship, and teaching others to connect with the natural world. His approach reflects curiosity, patience, and a methodical mindset - all qualities that translate seamlessly into origination. As Paul transitions into this next chapter, he is simultaneously preparing for Milano–Cortina 2026, where he will compete as part of one of the strongest US Biathlon teams in recent memory. His focus, discipline, and deep competitive experience position him as a key contributor in what is expected to be a breakthrough Olympic cycle for the programme.
Translating Elite Performance into Deal Origination
Biathlon and origination share the same foundations: discipline, timing, tactical clarity, emotional control, and precise execution under pressure.
Paul brings:
Pressure-tested decision-making
A methodical, process-driven work style
Ability to shift instantly between intensity and calm
Deep listening and emotional intelligence
Authentic rapport-building with founders and stakeholders
He engages founders with sincerity and focus, creating space for meaningful conversations where clarity emerges quickly. His ability to read nuance, stay composed, and build trust gives our clients an edge in markets where genuine human connection is increasingly rare.
A Natural Fit for Clavana’s High-Performance Culture
Paul joins a growing roster of Olympians and world-class athletes powering the Clavana Elite Athlete Program - a model built on the belief that elite performers, when supported by structured commercial training, excel in private-markets origination.
“Paul is an extraordinary addition to our team,” said Lara Hughes-Francis, Co-Founder of Clavana. “He combines high-pressure composure with human connection, discipline, and integrity - exactly the blend that defines a world-class Originator. His resilience, clarity, and authenticity mirror the culture we are building at Clavana.”
Paul embodies Clavana’s values: Integrity, Mastery, Passion, and Modern Human Effectiveness.
We look forward to supporting Paul throughout the upcoming biathlon season and are excited to see how he translates his Olympic mindset into elite buy-side origination.
Welcome to the team, Paul - we’re honoured to have you.
The Clavana Elite Athlete Program
Clavana’s Elite Athlete Program was created to support world-class athletes as they pursue their competitive ambitions while building meaningful careers beyond sport.
We recognize that elite athletes share many of the same qualities that make outstanding dealmakers: resilience, competitiveness, focus under pressure, adaptability, and exceptional communication. They are driven, disciplined, fiercely independent, and equally at home collaborating in teams to achieve something greater than themselves. These are the same traits that power success in origination, relationship management, and leadership within the financial and professional services industries.
Through the program, Clavana provides hands-on professional experience in origination, business development, and deal sourcing. This naturally aligns with the athlete mindset of persistence, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
The initiative offers both economic and structural support, creating a bridge between athletic excellence and future professional pathways. It helps athletes gain transferable skills, build networks, and develop commercial acumen while maintaining the flexibility required to train, travel, and compete at the highest level.
“Our goal is to create opportunities that not only recognize the discipline and intensity it takes to compete globally, but also provide a meaningful platform for transition, from sport to professional life,” said Clive Cooper, Co-Founder of Clavana, who has also enjoyed a remarkable career representing New Zealand in duathlon and continues to compete internationally. “This is about empowering exceptional individuals to thrive both on and off the field.”
By launching the Clavana Elite Athlete Program, the firm aims to champion those who embody the same grit, intelligence, and focus that drive success in investment and entrepreneurship - and to help them build futures that are as purposeful as their athletic careers.
About Clavana
Clavana partners with leading private equity funds, portfolio companies, and acquisitive corporates to deliver AI-driven market mapping, proprietary research, and fiercely effective deal origination.
Built on a simple belief - people power deals, not spreadsheets - Clavana represents a new breed of M&A origination: modern, human, and results-driven.
By combining data science with senior origination expertise, Clavana cuts through noise to uncover the right off-market opportunities and connect clients with the deals that move the needle.
Headquartered in the United States with a global, remote-first team, Clavana helps today’s dealmakers buy better, build better, and sell better.
