How does a start-up mutual fund shop break through the clutter? Well, for the folks at Grandeur Peak [profile], the answer is to work on Thanksgiving.

PM Blake Walker and senior analyst Spencer Stewart are trekking to Europe this week to meet with management at small and micro cap companies that the duo are considering for their portfolio.

"European markets have taken a beating and some very promising small companies have been thrown out with the proverbial bath water. Consistent with our thorough due diligence process, and given all that is currently taking place in Europe, we wanted to meet again with these management teams to hear how they think the events unfolding may impact their businesses," explained Walker.

Of course, if no one knows about the trip, there is no marketing punch. To get the word out, the firm also put out the word with reporters.

And, from the sound of it, the portfolio team is a hardworking one.

Stewart flies from Europe to South Africa next week where senior analyst Amy Sunderland will join him. Walker is not making that trip.

"There are great undiscovered companies in all parts of the world, but you have to be willing to get off the beaten path to go find them," explains Robert Gardiner, CEO and PM. "Our universe starts with more than 30,000 companies. Our years of experience are critical in being able to sift the wheat from the chaff among these smaller firms to identify the companies which we believe are the highest quality and best investment opportunities."

The core team at Grandeur Peak Global Advisors cut their fund industry teeth at Wasatch Advisors before striking out on their own. 

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