Tag Archives: Funds

ABN AMRO announces EUR 10m commitment to Keen Venture Partners’ European Defence and Security Tech Fund

Keen
  • This investment is ABN AMRO’s first investment in a dedicated European defence fund
  • The Fund targets early-stage companies across the EU, focusing on information superiority, cyber defence, space, autonomy and robotics among others
  • This investment aligns with the ABN AMRO’s strategy to strengthen European security and defence amid geopolitical challenges

In light of increased international tension and conflicts, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and recent pressure on the Atlantic alliance, Europe has been forced to reassess its military defence strategy and expenditure. ABN AMRO has stepped up its support to the security and defence industry in 2025, widening the scope of defence and security projects eligible for banking products, while closely keeping track of emerging defence technologies.
‍
Keen’s European Defence and Security Tech Fund, with a focus on early-stage companies within the defence and security technology sector, aims to support companies that are provide ‘dual use’ solutions in areas such as information superiority, cyber defence, robotics, AI, autonomous systems and space technologies such as securing satellite communications, satellite image analysis, and defence of space assets. The fund’s investments will be pan-European, with exposure to the United Kingdom, Turkey and Norway.

Dan Dorner, ABN AMRO’s Chief Commercial Officer Corporate Banking said: “ABN AMRO today announces a pioneering effort to enhance the availability of capital for defence-focused ventures in Europe, with a €10 million commitment to Keen’s European Defence and Security Tech Fund. Our commitment aligns with ABN AMRO’s Corporate Banking support to the European defence industry.”

Alexander Ribbink and Giuseppe Lacerenza, Partners at Keen Venture Partners: ‘The team at Keen has a long commitment to and investments in defence and defence technology. The opportunity to add the power of tech entrepreneurs with the full support of venture capital to the European defence ecosystem is huge. A stronger and safer Europe needs the resourcefulness and grit that only entrepreneurs can bring. We are proud to be at the forefront of this trend, and to be supported by ABN AMRO’.

More information:

Keen Venture Partners is a radically human venture capital firm based in Amsterdam and London. Keen backs exceptional teams and fast-growing European tech companies from seed to Series B. Keen has built strong expertise in defence and deep tech, supported by an advisory board of European military leaders, industry veterans, and policymakers. The firm invests through a thesis-driven approach, formulating investment ideas based on fundamental trends in specific areas of technology. When getting to know founders, Keen shares its network of operators, experience, and capabilities even before investing. The portfolio consists of 30+ startups and scaleups across Europe. You can find more information at: www.keenventurepartners.com.

‍
ABN AMRO Corporate Investments offers ABN AMRO clients an opportunity to help accelerate the transition to a resilient and sustainable society through a comprehensive array of capital products. These include amongst others fund investments & co-investments, direct investments through the Sustainable Impact Fund (one of the largest private impact funds in the Netherlands), hybrid debt and sub-ordinated debt.

‍

Back to all news

Categories: News

Tags:

EIF announces €40 million investment in Keen Venture Partners’ European defence and security Tech fund under InvestEU

Keen
  • EIF commitment is backed by the InvestEU programme, which aims to trigger more than €372 billion overall in investment supporting EU policy priorities, until 2027
  • This investment is the EIF’s first investment in a dedicated European defence fund
  • The Fund targets early-stage companies across the EU, focusing on information superiority, cyber defence, space, autonomy and robotics among others
  • This investment aligns with the EIB Group’s strategy to strengthen European security and defence amid geopolitical challenges

As Europe faces an unprecedented level of security threat, innovation in defence, security, and space technologies has become a strategic imperative. The EIB Group has stepped up its support to the security and defence industry in 2024, widening the scope of defence and security projects eligible for financing earlier this March.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) today announced a pioneering effort to enhance the availability of capital for defence-focused ventures in Europe, with a €40 million investment in Keen’s European Defence and Security Tech Fund. The fund, with a focus on early-stage companies within the defence and security technology sector, aims to support companies that are pioneering solutions in areas such as information superiority, cyber defence, robotics, AI, autonomous systems and space technologies such as securing satellite communications, satellite image analysis, and defence of space assets. The Fund’s investments will be pan-European, with exposure to the United Kingdom, Turkey and Norway.

Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stephane Séjourné said: “Strengthening Europe’s defence technological and industrial base is about securing our strategic autonomy and protecting our citizens—on land, at sea, in the air, in cyberspace, and in space. It’s about ensuring that European companies can deliver the technologies we need. We are moving from declarations to delivery, with investments to match our ambition.”‍

Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of the EIF, stated, “Our investment in the Keen European Defence and Security Tech Fund underscores our commitment to strengthening the European security landscape. By supporting innovative companies in this critical sector, we are not only fostering technological advancements but also enhancing Europe’s overall security and resilience.”

This investment is the first of its kind under the Defence Equity Facility and the InvestEU Space mandate and builds upon EIF’s previous investments in generalist venture capital funds with a partial focus on defence.

Alexander Ribbink, and Giuseppe Lacerenza Partners at Keen Venture Partners: ‘The team at Keen has a long commitment to and investments in defence and defence technology. The opportunity to add the power of tech entrepreneurs with the full support of venture capital to the European defence ecosystem is huge. A stronger and safer Europe needs the resourcefulness and grit that only entrepreneurs can bring. We are proud to be at the forefront of this trend, and to be strongly supported by the EIF’.

More information on the EIB Group investments in security and defence are available here.

‍

Background information

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by helping them to access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, the EIF fosters EU objectives in support of sustainability, innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth and employment.

Keen Venture Partners is a radically human venture capital firm based in Amsterdam and London. Keen backs exceptional teams and fast-growing European tech companies from seed to Series B. Keen has built strong expertise in defence and deep tech, supported by an advisory board of European military leaders, industry veterans, and policymakers. The firm invests through a thesis-driven approach, formulating investment ideas based on fundamental trends in specific areas of technology. When getting to know founders, Keen shares its network of operators, experience, and capabilities even before investing. The portfolio consists of 30+ startups and scaleups across Europe. You can find more information at: www.keenventurepartners.com

The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable economy. It helps generate additional investments in line with EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal, the digital transition and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. InvestEU brings all EU financial instruments together under one roof, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient, and more flexible. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub, and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners who invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. This guarantee increases their risk-bearing capacity, thus mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investment.

‍

Press contacts

Keen Venture Partners:

Alexander Ribbink | alexander@keenventurepartners.com | +31612340000
Giuseppe Lacerenza | giuseppe@keenventurepartners.com | +31612048616

EIB Group:

Serena Sertore | s.sertore@eib.org | tel.: +352 437 970 859
Website: wwww.eif.org/ | Press Office: +352 4379 21000 — press@eib.org

European Commission:

Quentin Cortes | +32 2 291 32 83 | quentin.cortes@ec.europa.eu

‍

Categories: News

Tags:

European Investment Fund invests €40M in Keen Venture Partners’ defence tech fund

Keen

Amsterdam, May 22nd, 2025 – The European Investment Fund (EIF) will invest €40M in Keen Venture Partners’ European Defence and Security Tech Fund. The European Investment Fund announced this today. Keen’s fund is Europe’s first EIF – backed defence fund that focuses exclusively on defence, security and space tech. Keen expects to have a first close of its fund in the third quarter of 2025.

Europe faces an urgent need to strengthen its defence capabilities. The continent is under direct threat from the East, with Russia’s war in Ukraine continuing unabated. Europe’s key NATO ally, the United States, is demanding that it carries a fairer share of the burden of its own defence. Europe has underinvested in defence across all key areas and now needs to remedy this. Increased investment across the entire defence ecosystem is essential. Startups and scale-ups, led by entrepreneurs and backed by venture capital, can play an important role in accelerating innovation and delivering new technologies to the front lines more quickly.

Increased defence spending could significantly boost Europe’s economic growth. According to a report by the Kiel Institute which shows that gross domestic product (GDP) could increase by 0.9 percent to 1.5 percent per year if governments raised annual defence spending from the NATO target of 2 percent to 3.5 percent of GDP and shifted from buying weapons designed and made in the USA to more European purchases and innovations.

Need for defence tech entrepreneurs greater than ever

The need for a stronger and more self-sufficient European defence industry has never been greater, making the addition of defence tech entrepreneurship and venture capital – and therefore not only public funds – essential. Entrepreneurs bring innovation and cost-efficiency, particularly in dual-use solutions, and thus contribute to a deeper defence tech ecosystem. To build a strong defence tech ecosystem, venture capital is crucial for rapidly scaling these solutions and driving long-term impact.

Keen’s dedicated defence tech fund is currently in the fundraising phase with a target to raise €125 million. The investment of the European Investment Fund represents a significant contribution to becoming one of the major funds in Europe, from which around 20 to 25 startups from seed phase to Series B will be supported.

“The mission to make Europe stronger and safer by empowering defence tech entrepreneurs receives a major boost with this EIF investment in our fund”, said Alexander Ribbink, Keen Venture Partners.

Giuseppe Lacerenza, partner at Keen adds: “Strengthening Europe’s defence and security through private capital, combined with the ingenuity and perseverance of entrepreneurs, is only just beginning. We’re proud to see the EIF take a catalytic role in mobilising private investments for this vital cause.”

Expertise and network for scaling startups

Keen is characterized by its deep expertise and network in the defence tech industry. The fund tracks more than 800 European defence tech companies, which is more than any other European fund. Keen has put together a top-level European advisory board with proven experience in defence tech investments, consisting of renowned advisors with a background in the military, defence tech business and policy. Within the fund, there is room for larger investors with experience in the defence tech industry.

Keen Venture Partners aims to play a structural role in building the European defence tech ecosystem. The Keen fund focuses on ‘dual use’ defence technology in European NATO countries. Dual use technology can be used for other purposes in addition to defence tech, such as disaster control or environmental monitoring. Keen’s portfolio includes Eclectic IQ, Rescale, Perciv AI and Avalor AI.

This operation benefits from support from the European Union under the InvestEU Fund

Categories: News

Tags:

Deerfield Management Closes Over $600 Million Healthcare Venture Fund

Deerfield

Deerfield’s Healthcare Innovations Fund III will invest in promising therapeutics, improvements to healthcare delivery, and paradigm-shifting technologies

NEW YORK, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Deerfield Management Company, L.P., today announced the closing of the Deerfield Healthcare Innovations Fund III, a fund of over $600 million that aims to advance healthcare by investing in promising therapeutics, improving care delivery models, and elevating emerging technologies with the potential to shift existing paradigms, including machine learning and artificial intelligence.

“There has never been a better time to invest in new and evolving technologies and products across the life science, medical technology, and healthcare service landscape. Advancing knowledge, data, and software capabilities are transforming what is possible to achieve in improving health outcomes,” said James Flynn, Managing Partner at Deerfield.

Enabled by Deerfield’s collaborations with 29 leading research institutions and nine industry partners, Deerfield operationalizes innovation through its in-house ecosystem. Specialized teams like Deerfield Discovery and Development (3DC) and Deerfield Intelligence employ seasoned drug hunters, medical technology innovators, and software developers to identify and advance promising products, services, and technologies, often in partnership with Deerfield-founded entities like Deerfield Catalyst and Genscience.

Deerfield is housed at Cure, a twelve-story healthcare innovation campus located in New York City with a mission to accelerate cures by helping health innovators develop products and services from concept to commercialization. Cure’s resources include state-of-the-art research laboratories and convening spaces and is staffed to support health innovators’ business needs.

Deerfield recognizes that advancing healthcare requires more than a for-profit investment model can provide. In keeping with the firm’s long-standing practice, Healthcare Innovations Fund III will donate a portion of profits not allocated to the fund’s limited partners to the Deerfield Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focused on improving the health of children worldwide. Since its inception in 2005, the Deerfield Foundation has partnered with a diverse slate of healthcare-focused non-profits to make a difference in the lives of patients and families, from clinics in the South Bronx to care facilities in the highlands of Nepal. Foundation funds are provided via employee contributions as well as fund profits.

Deerfield has invested in and supported the healthcare industry for over 30 years. Today the firm employs more than 180 professionals, with specialized knowledge that spans clinical and translational medicine, drug and medical device development, healthcare policy and markets, machine learning and data science, biostatistics, value-based care, financial instruments, operations, corporate strategy, market access research, sector dynamics, and more, which can be leveraged by corporate and strategic partners.

About Deerfield Management

Deerfield is an investment management firm committed to advancing healthcare through investment, information, and philanthropy. The Firm works across the healthcare ecosystem to connect people, capital, ideas, and technology in bold, collaborative, and inclusive ways. For more information, please visit www.deerfield.com.

Contact
Jessica Sagers, PhD, Head of Communications
jsagers@deerfield.com

SOURCE Deerfield Management Company, L.P.

Categories: News

Tags:

CVC closes third generation Strategic Opportunities fund at €4.61 billion

CVC Capital Partners

Latest fundraising continues the platform’s successful track record, with CVC’s long-term private equity strategy having secured total commitments of over €13 billion across three vintages.

CVC is pleased to announce the final close of CVC Strategic Opportunities III with total commitments of €4.61 billion, matching the size of its predecessor fund, CVC Strategic Opportunities II, and significantly increasing the number of investors committed to the strategy.

CVC’s Strategic Opportunities platform invests in high-quality, stable businesses that present an attractive risk-return profile over a longer investment horizon relative to traditional private equity mandates. Focused on Europe and North America, CVC Strategic Opportunities typically invests for a longer period compared to the broader private equity industry’s average hold period. Through the platform’s long-term approach, CVC seeks to maximize value creation initiatives on behalf of its investors and portfolio companies. The team often partners with founding families or foundations seeking long-term capital and operational resources to take their business to the next stage of development.

Quotes

We are truly grateful to our investors for supporting this fundraise, which reinforces our conviction that there is significant demand for a successful, longer-term private equity strategy

Lorne SomervilleManaging Partner and Co-Head CVC Strategic Opportunities

Lorne Somerville, Managing Partner and Co-Head CVC Strategic Opportunities said: “We are truly grateful to our investors for supporting this fundraise, which reinforces our conviction that there is significant demand for a successful, longer-term private equity strategy. As we embark on investing our third vintage, adding to our strong, stable and performing portfolio, we believe we are well-positioned to continue delivering consistent and attractive returns for our Strategic Opportunities investors.”

Jan Reinier Voûte, Managing Partner and Co-Head CVC Strategic Opportunities, added: “Over our previous two vintages, we have built a strong track record through our long-term approach to value creation. Looking at our pipeline, we’re energised by the opportunities to partner with high-quality businesses  and drive enduring growth, leveraging our team’s robust operational resources.”

Since inception, the platform has committed over €7.5 billion to 18 businesses offering long-term strategic development opportunities across sectors and geographies. Examples of CVC Strategic Opportunities investments include: Asplundh, the market leader in vegetation management and other services to major utilities in North America, Australia and New Zealand; Sebia, a world-leading provider of diagnostic testing equipment; and most recently, Hempel, a leading international supplier of coating solutions.

Categories: News

Tags:

FSN Capital Confluence closes as a new continuation fund with LGT Capital Partners as lead investor

Fsn Capital

FSN Capital Confluence*, a newly established €588 million continuation fund, has acquired two portfolio companies from FSN Capital V** in order to build on their successful platforms and support a new phase of growth. LGT Capital Partners acted as lead investor. 

The €588 million fund was established to acquire two portfolio companies – Nordlo and Saferoad – from FSN Capital V and other sellers with the aim of accelerating their organic growth and strategic M&A activities. 

As lead investor in the continuation fund, LGT Capital Partners was supported by new and existing investors, achieving a notable rollover rate from FSN Capital V investors who were offered a status quo rollover option to invest in the fund at current terms, or to use the transaction to generate liquidity. The fund was significantly oversubscribed and attracted leading institutional investors, including endowments, pension funds and asset managers from around the world. AltamarCAM Partners and Cubera served as co-underwriters. 

The two companies in FSN Capital Confluence are: 

Nordlo – a leading Nordic managed IT service provider, established through a proprietary three-way merger facilitated by FSN Capital V in 2018. The company has since successfully completed a total of fifteen strategic add-ons. Nordlo is set to continue on its growth path by leveraging a strong M&A pipeline and expanding its client base.  

Fredrik Almén, CEO of Nordlo, comments: “We see significant opportunities on the horizon with this continued partnership. With additional capital, we can continue to roll out Nordlo’s winning entrepreneur-driven model, and grow with even larger acquisitions, both in the Nordics and other countries.” 

Saferoad – one of the largest providers of road safety and infrastructure solutions in Europe. FSN Capital V invested in the Saferoad Group in 2018, splitting the company into Saferoad and ViaCon. Saferoad achieved strong performance during FSN Capital V’s period of ownership. The company is well positioned for continued growth, driven by innovation, ESG leadership, operational excellence initiatives, and strategic market consolidation.  

Bernd Frühwald, CEO of Saferoad, says: “We look forward to continuing our journey with FSN Capital through FSN Capital Confluence following several years of successful collaboration during FSN Capital V’s ownership. We share a passion for road safety, a commitment to delivering sustainable infrastructure and the ambition to create value for our clients, employees, and society. Looking to the future, we believe that with this partnership, we are uniquely positioned to continue seizing new opportunities and leading the way in our industry.”

Robin Mürer, Co-Managing Partner at FSN Capital Partners (investment advisor to the FSN Capital Funds), comments: “The establishment of the continuation vehicle for Nordlo and Saferoad represents a milestone for FSN Capital. The transaction has provided true optionality for FSN Capital V investors and co-investors to either create liquidity or continue to support two highly successful investments in FSN Capital V. Both Nordlo and Saferoad have built proven long-term growth engines that FSN Capital Confluence will invest behind.” 

Michael Gentili, Head of Capital Markets at FSN Capital Partners (investment advisor to the FSN Capital Funds), comments: “Through FSN Capital Confluence, the FSN Capital Funds reaffirms its support and belief in Nordlo and Saferoad and their respective management teams. We are grateful for the trust investors have vested in FSN Capital Confluence, Nordlo, and Saferoad, with LGT Capital Partners in the lead and AltamarCAM Partners and Cubera Private Equity serving as co-underwriters.
It is particularly pleasing to see so many existing FSN Capital V investors deciding to remain with FSN Capital Confluence for this next period of growth and we look forward to support the continued journey ahead!”   

André Aubert, Partner at LGT Capital Partners, adds: “We are pleased to deepen our partnership with FSN Capital and to help facilitate a transaction that is accretive to Nordlo and Saferoad, as well as to FSN Capital V’s LPs and our investors. Having been at the forefront of the evolving secondary market for more than two decades, our goal is to continually expand our exposure to attractive, high-quality assets on behalf of our investors.” 

*FSN Capital Confluence GP Limited acting in its capacity as general partner for and on behalf of each of FSN Capital Confluence L.P. and FSN Capital Confluence Invest L.P. ​
**FSN Capital GP V Limited acting in its capacity as general partner for and on behalf of each of FSN Capital V L.P., FSN Capital V (B) L.P. and FSN Capital V Invest L.P.​

 

About FSN Capital 

Established in 1999, FSN Capital Partners is a leading Northern European private equity firm and investment advisor to the FSN Capital Funds. FSN Capital Partners has a team of more than 90 professionals across Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Munich. Our ethos, “We are decent people making a decent return in a decent way” defines our core values. 

The FSN Capital Funds have more than €4 billion under management and make control investments in growth-oriented Northern European companies, to support further growth and to transform companies into more sustainable, competitive, international, and profitable entities. The FSN Funds are committed to being responsible investors and having a positive environmental and social impact across its portfolio while achieving market-leading returns.  

Learn more about FSN on our website: www.fsncapital.com 

 

About LGT Capital Partners 

LGT Capital Partners is a leading global specialist in alternative investing with over USD 100 billion in assets under management and more than 700 institutional clients in 44 countries. An international team of over 800 professionals is responsible for managing a wide range of investment programs focusing on private markets, multi-alternatives and diversifying strategies, as well as sustainable and impact strategies. Headquartered in Pfaeffikon (SZ), Switzerland, the firm has offices in San Francisco, New York, Dublin, London, Paris, The Hague, Luxembourg, Frankfurt am Main, Vaduz, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney. 

Categories: News

Tags:

Innovation Industries Raises €500 Million For Investments In Deeptech

Innovation Industries

Fund oversubscribed, with the majority of financing coming from Dutch pension funds

Amsterdam, May 15, 2024 – Dutch venture capital fund Innovation Industries has raised €500 million for its third fund, which focuses on financing deeptech companies in the Benelux and Germany. Earlier this year, Innovation Industries also raised €100 million for another fund, the Strategic Partners Fund, which invests in scale-ups from the existing portfolio. This brings the total raised capital for this year to €600 million.

Deeptech companies develop groundbreaking technologies and bring them to market. These types of companies have the potential to offer innovative solutions to global challenges such as climate change, security, aging populations, food shortages, and energy supply. Due to the complexity and advanced nature of their products, deeptech companies have higher capital requirements and longer development times compared to more conventional enterprises.

Investors in the fund

Investors in the third fund include PME and PMT. These pension funds have also invested in Innovation Industries’ earlier funds. The fund also includes pension funds ABP, bpfBOUW, Pensioenfonds KPN, and TNO Pensioenfonds. Additionally, investors in the fund include ABN AMRO, Athora Netherlands, Rabobank, Oost NL, Brabantse Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij, Invest-NL, InnovationQuarter, European Investment Fund (EIF), KfW Capital, and Wachstumsfonds.

“Investing in deeptech is very attractive from various perspectives. Nevertheless, deeptech companies still face significant challenges in raising capital,” says Nard Sintenie, partner at Innovation Industries. “With our third fund, combined with the Strategic Partners Fund, we are taking an important step in addressing this issue for Dutch deeptech companies.”

Harm de Vries, partner at Innovation Industries, stated, “We are very pleased that in addition to pension funds PME and PMT, other pension funds are now also participating in our fund. We share a long-term vision with these pension funds, combining good financial returns with a contribution to the future resilience of the Dutch deeptech ecosystem. With currently around €900 million in capital under management, we will serve as a magnet for groundbreaking technologies in Europe.”

“Our team currently operates from offices in Amsterdam and Eindhoven. Soon, we will add an office in Munich,” explains Chris Sonnenberg, partner and co-founder of Innovation Industries. “With a solid European presence, we can identify the best technology companies and thereby strengthen the competitive position of the Netherlands,” he adds.


About Innovation Industries

Innovation Industries has been active since 2017 and has investments in more than 30 deeptech companies. An example is Nearfield Instruments, a spin-off of TNO that develops advanced measuring machines for the semiconductor industry. Companies in the portfolio have also been sold, such as Luxexcel, which was acquired by Meta (the company behind Facebook) in 2021. Luxexcel manufactures 3D-printed lenses for digital glasses.

‍

Categories: News

Tags:

EQT Future holds final close; over EUR 25 billion (USD 27 billion) raised across EQT Private Equity in fundraisings concluded during 2024 to-date

eqt
  • The EQT Future fund closes at EUR 3 billion (USD 3.3 billion) in total fund commitments, with total fee-generating commitments to the strategy, which includes co-investments, totaling EUR 3.6 billion (USD 3.9 billion)
  • This brings the combined final closes by the EQT Private Equity platform in 2024 to more than EUR 25 billion (USD 27 billion) in total commitments, following the EUR 22 billion (USD 24 billion) close of EQT X
  • EQT Future is a private equity strategy that invests in two themes: Climate & Nature and Health & Wellbeing. Its innovative approach enables EQT Private Equity to hold companies for longer, leveraging EQT’s proven active ownership approach and a tailored impact management and measurement toolbox to drive attractive downside protected returns

EQT is pleased to share that EQT Future (or the “Fund”) has held its final close. The Fund raised EUR 3 billion (USD 3.3 billion) in total commitments, with total fee-generating commitments for the overall strategy, including co-investments, totaling EUR 3.6bn (USD 3.9 billion)1. The close brings the combined final closes by the EQT Private Equity platform in 2024 to more than EUR 25 billion (USD 27 billion) in total commitments.

An integrated part of EQT Private Equity, EQT Future backs robust and downside-protected business models in two thematic areas: Climate & Nature and Health & Wellbeing. By adding a tailored impact management and measurement toolbox and having a more flexible investment mandate, it aims to innovate on EQT’s proven approach and create long-term value in its portfolio. The Fund is Article 9 accredited and has innovated around ways to align sustainability with financial returns, linking carried interest to sustainability targets.

The Fund received commitments from investors across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and the Nordics. It has a diversified investor base, including forward-thinking institutional and private wealth clients, notably family offices, with a greater share of commitments coming from the latter segment compared to the EQT Private Equity flagship funds.

Simon Griffiths, Partner and Head of the EQT Future Advisory team, said: “That EQT has been able to introduce a new strategy and receive strong backing for EQT Future’s attractive downside-protected offering shows that investors are keen to see innovation within private markets. We’ve married EQT’s proven private equity approach with new impact thinking to invest in market leaders that can be grown over the longer term and that can potentially transform whole industries. This differentiates EQT Future from many other impact funds, which typically focus on venture and growth-stage opportunities. We have partnered with three businesses where the founders and management share our vision of driving more sustainable products and services, and the portfolio has already shown its resilience.”

Per Franzén, Head of Private Capital Europe & North America at EQT and Chairman of the EQT Private Equity Investment Committees, including EQT Future, said: “EQT Future is a perfect complement to our Equity strategy. Having a longer-hold mandate makes us an ideal partner to long-term owners, such as industrial families and entrepreneurs. It also enables us to acquire crown jewels and develop them to their fullest potential. As an integrated part of our Private Equity strategy, EQT Future makes us a smarter thematic investor. It enables us to select the right opportunities with a focus on sustainable long-term value creation, and makes us a better partner to our clients.”

The Fund is currently circa 40-45 percent invested across three high-quality, downside-protected companies, which all show strong underlying earnings growth and are realizing their impact potential:

  • Global pest-control service provider Anticimex offers a biocide-free digital solution, paving the way for a sustainable pest control industry and contributing to curbing biodiversity loss
  • Bloom Fresh International develops innovative disease-resistant varieties of fruit, reducing the use of fungicides that have a negative impact on soil health, ecosystems and human health, while increasing the agricultural output and shelf life of the fruits
  • Pioneering autoinjector developer SHL Medical enables advanced drug self-administration for greater patient autonomy, thereby reducing the burden on healthcare systems

Management fees for the Fund are charged on invested capital during its full term. This means that management fees will be charged only as and when investments are made by the Fund. Co-investment figures included are invested capital that is fee and carry-paying.

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 33

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization focused on active ownership strategies. With a Nordic heritage and a global mindset, EQT has a track record of almost three decades of developing companies across multiple geographies, sectors and strategies. EQT has investment strategies covering all phases of a business’ development, from start-up to maturity. EQT has EUR ‌​​232​‌ billion in total assets under management (EUR ‌​​‌130​‌ billion in fee-generating assets under management), within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets.

With its roots in the Wallenberg family’s entrepreneurial mindset and philosophy of long-term ownership, EQT is guided by a set of strong values and a distinct corporate culture. EQT manages and advises funds and vehicles that invest across the world with the mission to future-proof companies, generate attractive returns and make a positive impact with everything EQT does.

The EQT AB Group comprises EQT AB (publ) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, which include general partners and fund managers of EQT funds as well as entities advising EQT funds. EQT has offices in more than 20 countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas and has more than 1,800 employees.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on LinkedIn, X, YouTube and Instagram

Categories: News

Tags:

DIF Capital Partners raises EUR 6.8 billion for its latest infrastructure funds

DIF

The successful fund raisings for DIF VII and CIF III represent a 50% increase compared to the prior funds.

DIF Capital Partners (DIF), a leading global infrastructure fund manager, is pleased to announce it has raised EUR 6.8 billion for its latest infrastructure funds with final closes across DIF Infrastructure VII (DIF VII) EUR 4.4 billion, DIF Core-Plus Infrastructure Fund III (CIF III) EUR 1.6 billion, and certain Co-investment vehicles EUR 0.8 billion.

DIF experienced strong investor demand from both existing and new institutional investors across the globe, enabling both DIF VII and CIF III to exceed their target fund sizes of EUR 4.0 billion and EUR 1.5 billion respectively. Total commitments for the predecessor funds (DIF VI and CIF II) equaled EUR 3.0 billion and EUR 1.0 billion.

DIF VII targets infrastructure investments, often concession-based or with long-term offtake agreements offering stable and predictable cash flows as well as attractive risk-adjusted returns. Sectors covered are transportation, (renewable) energy, digital infrastructure as well as utilities.

CIF III targets investment opportunities with strong growth potential. It focuses on a broad range of infrastructure sectors including digital infrastructure (specifically datacenters and fibre), energy transition as well as sustainable transportation.

Both fund strategies target a mix of operational and greenfield investments and predominantly focus on Europe and North America.

The funds received commitments from a diverse institutional investor base of more than 110 investors across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East, including public and private pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, financial institutions, foundations, and private wealth investors.

Wim Blaasse, CEO at DIF Capital Partners, said: “We are extremely grateful to our investors for their trust and support, and this successful fundraising reinforces DIF’s leading position in the infrastructure market.

In addition, we are excited by the journey ahead as we team up with CVC, and accelerate the growth of our investment capabilities, our geographic reach, and lever the CVC network”.

Gijs Voskuyl, Deputy CEO at DIF Capital Partners, said: “An ever growing demand for infrastructure capital provides an exciting investment opportunity for us, and with our investment track record and experienced teams on the ground across our network of offices in eleven countries, we are confident we can use this capital to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities.”

To date, both funds have invested or committed to nine investments each, thereby deploying around 50% of total commitments. For DIF VII this includes investments in Saur, a global water solutions provider, Fjord1, a Norwegian electric ferry concessions operator and Green Street Power Partners, a US distributed solar developer/IPP. For CIF III this includes investments in metrofibre, a German urban fibre roll-out platform, Tonaquint, a US datacenter platform and Rail First, an Australian rail leasing business.

 

About DIF Capital Partners

DIF Capital Partners is an infrastructure fund manager with more than EUR 17 billion of assets under management. DIF was founded in 2005 and has a leading position in managing mid-market investments, primarily in Europe and North America.

DIF follows two strategies: its traditional DIF funds invest in infrastructure projects and companies in the energy transition (incl. renewables) and utilities sector, as well as concessions. The firm’s CIF funds invest in companies with strong growth potential that are active in infrastructure sectors such as digital infrastructure, energy transition and sustainable transportation.

With a team of over 240 professionals in 11 offices, DIF offers a unique market approach combining global presence with the benefits of strong local networks and investment capabilities. DIF is located in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Helsinki, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, New York, Paris, Santiago, Sydney and Toronto.

In September 2023, CVC, a leading global private markets manager, announced that it would be acquiring a majority stake in DIF Capital Partners. Closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected in Q2 2024.

For more information, please visit www.dif.eu or follow us on LinkedIn.

 

Press contact:

DIF Capital Partners: press@dif.eu

Share

Categories: News

Tags:

CapMan Growth establishes its third fund: first closing at €110 million, surpassing target size

Capman

CapMan Growth establishes its third fund: first closing at €110 million, surpassing target size

The CapMan Growth Equity III fund initiates operations and makes its first closing at €110 million, surpassing its target size. The strong interest towards the fund is a testament to the successful growth stories and well-executed exits facilitated by the team. The fund is expected to reach its hard cap at €130 million by the end of April 2024.

At first closing CapMan Growth’s third fund already exceeds the size of the team’s previous fund which closed at €97 million. Since its establishment in 2017 CapMan Growth has raised over €300 million in total for growth investments.

Raising a fund larger than its predecessor in the current market environment clearly shows there is significant interest towards CapMan Growth’s investment strategy. Driving this interest is the team’s strong track-record in supporting multiple growth companies and achieving successful exits of which Picosun and Coronaria are good examples.

CapMan Growth’s strategy is to make active minority investments into entrepreneur-led growth companies, with the aim of further developing them together with the entrepreneurs and the operative management.

CapMan Growth’s investor base consists mainly of reputable Finnish institutional investors and successful Finnish entrepreneurs including several founders of CapMan Growth’s portfolio companies.

”Our investment strategy has gained a lot of interest amongst both owners of growth companies and investors. Many growth entrepreneurs seek an alternative to selling their business and we can support growth while letting entrepreneurs retain control in their company. Investors have also viewed our strategy as an interesting alternative to more traditional private equity funds. A warm thank you for the trust to all our current and new investors”, says Antti Kummu, Managing Partner at CapMan Growth.

CapMan Growth is the leading Finnish growth investor making significant minority investments in entrepreneur-led growth companies with revenues ranging between €10–200 million euros. We offer entrepreneurs an alternative to selling the majority of their business by facilitating a partial exit while also supporting growth and internationalisation. We have been part of building companies such as Coronaria, Cloud2, Digital Workforce, Fennoa, Fluido, Neural DSP, Picosun, Sofigate, Silmäasema and Unikie.

For more information:

Antti Kummu, Managing Partner, CapMan Growth, +358 50 432 4486

About CapMan

CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation and over €5 billion in assets under management. Our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors by enabling change across our portfolio companies. An example of this is greenhouse gas reduction targets that we have set under the Science Based Targets initiative in line with the 1.5°C scenario and our commitment to net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover real estate and infrastructure assets, natural capital and minority and majority investments in portfolio companies. We also provide wealth management solutions. Our service business includes procurement services. Altogether, CapMan employs around 200 professionals in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London and Luxembourg. We are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001. www.capman.com

Categories: News

Tags: