targeting early growth companies

ANTWERP, April 10, 2020 – Fortino Capital Partners is raising the successor of its first VC-fund. Fortino Capital Venture II is aiming for a target size of €80 million and will be focussing on promising early stage European software and technology companies with a regional bias to the Benelux. As of today a total of €45 million in commitments have been signed up.

With its second VC fund, Fortino Capital Partners now has three funds in its portfolio.

The first VC fund, Fortino Capital I, with a capital of €80 million, is to date invested in 8  software companies including Teamleader (BE), BuyBay (NL) and Bloomon (NL). The fund is also an investor in Dobco and Riaktr, two companies that are actively involved in the diagnosing and monitoring of Covid-19. The fund has also realized a few important exits: Melita, Trendminer, Zentrick and Piesync, currently a subsidiary of Hubspot.

The second fund, Fortino Capital Growth PE I, is a growth private equity fund with a capital of €242 million targeting larger enterprises and their management, banking on accelerated organic growth. The fund currently supports MobileXpense (BE), Efficy CRM (BE) and Odin Groep (NL).

Fortino Capital Venture II, now its third fund, will continue its predecessor’s strategy and is targeting investments in successful start-up and scale up companies with a focus on software and technology.

Duco Sickinghe, Managing Partner Fortino: “We are living through uncertain and tough times and as an investment company we would like to, more than ever, send out a sign of hope and trust to young entrepreneurs. With our new fund we would like to reiterate our trust in entrepreneurs, driving the digitalization of our economy and society. We will use our new capital, our experience and our expertise to boost the success story of early growth companies. We believe in the future and therefore would like to send out this positive signal. We are delighted that many investors follow the same philosophy and have reiterated their trust in Fortino.”

Fortino Capital Venture II is targeting minority participations in successful and ambitious early growth Benelux companies with entry investment tickets ranging from €500,000 to €5 million, and sufficient capacity for successor capital rounds.

Amongst our investors we count many well-known private investors and entrepreneurs as well as strong institutional investors such as PMV and SFPI-FPIM.

Arie Kuipers, CEO Buybay, one of the companies in Fortino’s first VC-fund confirms the importance of a viable investment partner:  “It is comforting in these turbulent times to know that one can count on investors believing in and supporting innovation and leadership. We are getting closer to a post Covid-19 period where innovative entrepreneurs will make the difference in an accelerated digital transformation. The track record of Fortino, the team and their expertise help us to make the difference and privileged partner to turn our strategy into reality.”

About Fortino Capital Partners

Fortino Capital is a leading venture capital and growth private equity firm investing in European software and technology companies with a focus on Benelux. Our mission is supporting ambitious management teams in realising their growth plans.

We invest in early growth (venture capital) and more mature companies (growth capital) for which organic growth is at the hart of their strategy. Fortino has offices in Belgium and the Netherlands. Fortino is currently investor in Odin Groep (NL), MobileXpense (BE), Tenzinger (NL), Teamleader (BE), Bloomon (NL) and Buybay (NL).

www.fortinocapital.com.

EQT has today set the hard cap for investor commitments of EUR 15 billion for the EQT IX fund. A hard cap refers to an upper limit on the amount of investor commitments accepted as part of the fund. The actual fund size is dependent on the outcome of the fundraising process.

As previously communicated, the target fund size for EQT IX is EUR 14.75 billion and the fund’s investment strategy and commercial terms are expected to be materially in line with the predecessor fund EQT VIII.

Invitation to telephone conference call on Thursday March 19 at 11.30 CET
EQT invites to a telephone conference on Thursday March 19 at 11.30 CET. At the telephone conference, Christian Sinding, CEO and Managing Partner, Caspar Callerström, COO, and Kim Henriksson, CFO, will give a general update and answer questions, among others, around the COVID-19 pandemic (see letter to EQT’s fund investors on EQT’s website).

Dial-in details: 
PIN:    94153342#
SE       +46 856642651
UK       +44 3333000804
US       +1 6319131422

Webcast URL:
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/zothabsr

Transcript:
Transcript from telephone conference

Contact
Nina Nornholm, Head of Communications, +46 70 855 03 56
Pawel Wyszynski, Shareholder Relations Officer, +46 72 987 36 44
EQT Press Office,press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55334

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or solicitation. Any offer or solicitation in respect of EQT IX will be made only through a confidential private placement memorandum and related documents which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America.  Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. Any offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of an offering document that would be obtainable from the issuer or its agents and would contain detailed information about the issuer of the securities and its management, as well as financial information. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.

About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with a 25-year track-record of consistent investment performance across multiple geographies, sectors and strategies. With strong values and a distinct corporate culture, EQT manages and advises funds and vehicles that invest across the world with the mission to generate attractive returns to the fund investors.

The EQT AB group comprises EQT AB (publ) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, which includes general partners and fund managers of EQT funds as well as entities advising EQT funds.

More info:www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on:twitter.com and www.linkedin.com

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– KKR today announced a monetization activity update for the period from January 1, 2020 through March 12, 2020. Based on information available to us as of today, with respect to the period through March 12, 2020, KKR has earned gross realized carried interest and total realized investment income of approximately $490 million. This is driven primarily by strategic and secondary sale transactions that have closed quarter to-date, as well as dividend and interest income from KKR’s balance sheet portfolio.

The estimate disclosed above is not intended to predict or represent the total revenues for the full quarter ending March 31, 2020, because it does not include the results or impact of any other sources of income, including fee income, losses or expenses. This estimate is also not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other period, including the entire year ending December 31, 2020.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate and credit, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including estimated operating results from certain monetization activities. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “will,” “may” and “believe” or similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in these forward-looking statements, and investors should not place undue reliance on such statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200313005087/en/

Investor Relations:
Craig Larson, 1-877-610-4910 (U.S.) / 212-230-9410
investor-relations@kkr.com
or
Media:
Kristi Huller, 212-750-8300
media@kkr.com

Source: KKR & Co. Inc.

• EQT opens office in Sydney to support accelerated efforts in the Asia-Pacific region, with specific focus on Australia and New Zealand

• The Sydney office will be led by Ken Wong, Managing Director and Head of EQT Australia & New Zealand, who has been leading coverage efforts from Singapore and will return home to Sydney as part of the office opening
• EQT currently holds investments in Australian cloud and managed service provider, Nexon Asia Pacific, and has entered into a Scheme Implementation Agreement to acquire 100% of Metlifecare, one of the largest owners and operators of integrated retirement and aged care villages in New Zealand

Sydney, Australia: EQT today announced the opening of an office in Sydney, Australia. The office will be led by Ken Wong, Managing Director and Head of EQT Australia & New Zealand, who was previously based in EQT’s Singapore office and will return home to Sydney as part of the office opening. In alignment with EQT’s local-with-locals approach, the team will seek to find thematic investment opportunities with the support from EQT’s global platform and extensive network.

Ken Wong, Managing Director and Head of EQT Australia & New Zealand commented: “The opening of the Sydney office is a testimony to EQT’s commitment to investing in the region. Australia and New Zealand has an abundance of investment opportunities in EQT’s core sectors, and we have already started to see that EQT’s differentiated approach to active, responsible and growth focused ownership resonate with management teams, founders and corporates.”

Thomas von Koch, Deputy Managing Partner and Chairperson of Asia-Pacific at EQT, commented: “EQT is excited to expand into Australia and New Zealand, markets in which EQT’s Nordic values and unique governance model are well received. EQT has previously had positive experiences from investing in Australia and are encouraged by the recent traction we’re getting in market. We believe that Australia and New Zealand are some of the most interesting markets in the Asia-Pacific region and one where EQT can make a positive impact on portfolio companies as well as local communities. Putting EQT’s flag on the ground in Sydney is part of our global expansion strategy and ambition to establish a local presence across the regions EQT invests in. With a local team in Sydney, EQT is well-positioned to stay close to both its portfolio companies and to capture new investment opportunities in the region.”

EQT made its first investment in Australia in 2014 following EQT Mid Market’s acquisition of I-MED Radiology Network, a leading diagnostic imaging service provider. During EQT’s ownership period, I-MED achieved strong organic growth, established multiple new clinics, entered into new hospital contracts, successfully completed a number of value accretive add-on acquisitions and made significant investments into equipment, new technology and people. The business was divested in 2018.

In July 2019, EQT Mid Market Asia III announced its investment in Nexon Asia Pacific, a cloud and managed service provider who helps clients run more efficiently, create better user experiences and explore bigger opportunities. They are a trusted technology partner for mid-market businesses, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

In December 2019, EQT Infrastructure IV entered into a Scheme Implementation Agreement to acquire 100% of Metlifecare shares by way of a scheme of arrangement. Metlifecare is a leading New Zealand owner and operator of integrated retirement and aged care villages, providing rewarding lifestyles and outstanding care to more than 5,600 New Zealanders. Established in 1984, the business has a portfolio of 25 villages in areas with strong local economies, supportive demographics and high median house prices, located predominantly in New Zealand’s upper North Island.

Contact
Ken Wong, Managing Director and Head of Australia & New Zealand, +61 2 9052 4852
Roger Newby, Domestique Consulting, roger@domestiqueconsulting.com.au, +61 401 278 906
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

Sydney office address:
EQT Partners Australia Pty Ltd
Level 48, 264 George Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
Australia

About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with a 25-year track-record of consistent investment performance across multiple geographies, sectors and strategies. With strong values and a distinct corporate culture, EQT manages and advises funds and vehicles that invest across the world with the mission to generate attractive returns to the fund investors.

EQT’s talent base and network allow it to pursue a unique value creation approach and thematic investment strategy, with the aim of future-proofing the companies which EQT invests in, creating superior returns and making a positive impact with everything EQT does.

EQT has more than EUR 62 billion in raised capital since inception, currently around EUR 41 billion in assets under management across 19 active funds within three business segments – Private Capital, Real Assets and Credit. EQT is a thought leader within the private markets industry with deep expertise in responsible and long-term ownership, corporate governance, operational excellence, digitalization and sustainability. EQT has offices in 16 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and North America with more than 700 employees.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com

Fund to Invest in Solutions-Oriented Businesses

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 12, 2020– KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the final closing of KKR Global Impact Fund SCSp (“KKR Global Impact” or the “Fund”), a $1.3 billion fund dedicated to investment opportunities in companies whose core business models provide commercial solutions to an environmental or social challenge.

KKR Global Impact is focused on identifying and investing behind opportunities across the Americas, Europe and Asia where financial performance and societal impact are intrinsically aligned. Specifically, the Fund is focused on generating private equity risk-adjusted returns by investing in companies in the lower middle market that contribute measurable progress toward one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”).

“The UN SDGS were developed to mobilize citizens, policymakers, technologists and investors to address global challenges. As investors, we have a significant role to play in building businesses that contribute to SDG solutions while also generating financial returns for our fund investors by doing so,” said Robert Antablin and Ken Mehlman, KKR Partners and Co-Heads of KKR Global Impact.

In particular, KKR has identified the following macro themes where it believes KKR Global Impact can contribute meaningfully to helping achieve the SDGs: Mitigating and adapting to climate change; protecting clean water; learning and workforce development; responsible waste management; leveraging technology to enhance safety, mobility and sustainability; serving globally conscious consumers healthier and more sustainable products and services; and upgrading declining industry and infrastructure.

Over the last decade, KKR has been a leader in driving and protecting value throughout the firm’s private markets portfolio through thoughtful Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) management, as well as measuring and reporting on performance to the public and investors. The firm also has a history of investing in businesses that promote solutions to broader societal challenges, having invested $5.5 billion across 35 companies in solutions-oriented businesses that address policy imperatives including workforce development, green energy, responsible waste management, clean water protection and others.

Building on its track record of responsible investment, KKR launched its global impact business in 2018. Since then, the 12 person global team has executed a number of transactions as part of this, including in Barghest Building Performance (BBP), Ramky Enviro Engineers, KnowBe4, Burning Glass, and the formation of a wastewater treatment platform.

The Fund received strong backing from a diverse group of new and existing global investors, including public pensions, family offices, high net worth individual investors and other institutional investors. KKR will be investing more than $130 million of capital in the Fund alongside these investors through the Firm’s balance sheet and employee commitments.

“We are thrilled to see our investors’ shared enthusiasm for the tremendous opportunity we see ahead for KKR Global Impact and will build on this to help set the new standard across investing, value creation and measuring success in the space,” said Alisa Amarosa Wood, KKR Partner and Head of KKR’s Private Market Products Group.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate and credit, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005060/en/

Source: KKR

Media:
Kristi Huller or Cara Major
212.750.8300
Media@KKR.com

Good exit activity in the fourth quarter. Strategic options for Credit being evaluated.
HIGHLIGHTS DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER 2019

• Total investments by the EQT funds in the quarter amounted to EUR 1.9bn
  • Private Capital: Investments include, among others, SHL Medical in Switzerland and Recover Nordic in Norway (both in EQT VIII)
  • Real Assets: Investment in Metlifecare in New Zealand (EQT Infrastructure IV)
  • Credit: Investments across Special Situations, Direct Lending and Senior Debt

• Total gross fund exits in the quarter amounted to EUR 2.4bn and were mainly within Private Capital

• EQT Ventures II closed at approximately EUR 620m in fee-generating AUM. Other fundraising efforts in the period focused on EQT Real Estate II and preparations for EQT IX

• Expected value creation (Gross MOIC) developing ”On plan” in key funds in Private Capital and Real Assets, while EQT Infrastructure III as of December 31, 2019, continued to develop ”Above plan”

HIGHLIGHTS DURING 2019 (JAN – DEC 2018)

• Good investment activity across the EQT funds with total fund investments of EUR 11.9bn (EUR 8.6bn), of which EUR 2.3bn (EUR 1.1bn) within Credit

• Investment level in key funds as of December 31, 2019: 70-75% in EQT VIII (30-35% as of December 31, 2018) and 55-60% in EQT Infrastructure IV (5-10% as of December 31, 2018)

• Good exit activity with EUR 8.0bn (EUR 5.1bn) in total gross fund exits across the EQT funds, of which EUR 1.1bn (EUR 1.0bn) within Credit

• Fee-generating AUM increased to EUR 39.9bn as of December 31, 2019 (EUR 36.6bn). This was primarily driven by the successful closing of EQT Infrastructure IV with a final close in March 2019

• Number of full-time equivalent employees and on-site consultants (FTE plus) amounted to 706 (601) at the end of the period, of which FTEs amounted to 645 (527)

EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

• Investment level in key funds as of January 23, 2020, were 70-75% in EQT VIII and 60-65% in EQT Infrastructure IV

• The target size for the EQT IX fund has been set at EUR 14.75bn
• EQT has initiated a review of future strategic options for the business segment Credit
  • The growth prospects of Credit are in avenues further away from EQT’s core business of active ownership where EQT can make a strong impact and fully utilize the EQT platform
  • JP Morgan has been appointed as financial advisor to evaluate strategic options for Credit

Presentation of EQT AB’s Q4 2019 announcement
A telephone conference which will be held at 08:30 CET. Presentation materials for the telephone conference will be available on www.eqtgroup.com/shareholders/financial-reporting

At the telephone conference, Christian Sinding, CEO and Managing Partner, Caspar Callerström, COO, and Kim Henriksson, CFO, will present EQT AB’s Q4 announcement in English, followed by a Q&A session also joined by Åsa Riisberg, Partner & Head of Shareholder Relations and Pawel Wyszynski, Shareholder Relations Officer.

To participate, please use the following dial-in details below, at least 10 minutes in advance.
Sweden:                               +46 8 566 42 651
UK:                                      +44 333 300 0804
USA:                                    +1 631 913 1422
Confirmation Code:               27944395

The telephone conference can be followed live on www.eqtgroup.com/shareholders/financial-reporting and a recording will also be available afterwards.
Information on EQT AB’s financial reporting
The EQT AB Group has a long-term business model founded on a promise to its fund investors to invest capital, drive value creation and create consistent attractive returns over a 5 to 10-year horizon. The Group’s financial model is primarily affected by the size of its fee-generating assets under management, the performance of the EQT funds and its ability to recruit and retain top talent.

The Group operates in a market driven by long-term trends and thus believes quarterly financial statements are less relevant for investors. However, in order to provide the market with relevant and suitable information about the Group’s development, EQT will publish quarterly announcements with key operating numbers that are relevant for the business performance (taking Nasdaq’s guidance note for preparing interim management statements into consideration). In addition, a half-year report and a year-end report including financial statements and further information relevant for investors will be published. Finally, EQT will also publish an annual report including sustainability reporting.

Please note that the EQT AB´s Year-end Report 2019 will be released on the 12th of February 2020.
Contact
Åsa Riisberg, Partner & Head of Shareholder Relations, +46 8 506 55 342
Nina Nornholm, Head of Communications, +46 70 855 03 56
Pawel Wyszynski, Shareholder Relations Officer, +46 72 987 36 44
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com , +46 8 506 55 334

This is information that EQT AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 07:30 CET on January 23, 2020
About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with a 25-year track-record of consistent investment performance across multiple geographies, sectors and strategies. With strong values and a distinct corporate culture, EQT manages and advises funds and vehicles that invest across the world with the mission to generate attractive returns to the fund investors.

EQT’s talent base and network allow it to pursue a unique value creation approach and thematic investment strategy, with the aim of future-proofing the companies which EQT invests in, creating superior returns and making a positive impact with everything EQT does.

EQT has more than EUR 62 billion in raised capital since inception, currently around EUR 41 billion in assets under management across 19 active funds within three business segments – Private Capital, Real Assets and Credit. EQT is a thought leader within the private markets industry with deep expertise in responsible and long-term ownership, corporate governance, operational excellence, digitalization and sustainability. EQT has offices in 15 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and North America with more than 700 employees.

The EQT AB group comprises EQT AB (publ) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, which includes general partners and fund managers of EQT funds as well as entities advising EQT funds.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on Twitter and LinkedIn

Successor Fund Triples Down on Firm’s Commitment to Technology Growth Equity Sector

NEW YORK & LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 15, 2020– KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the final closing of KKR Next Generation Technology Growth Fund II (“NGT II” or the “Fund”), a $2.2 billion fund dedicated to growth equity investment opportunities in the technology space in North America, Europe and Israel.

NGT II is the successor fund to KKR Next Generation Technology Growth Fund (“NGT I”), KKR’s first dedicated global technology growth equity vehicle which completed fundraising in December 2016. Similar to its predecessor fund, NGT II is focused on generating strong returns for investors by investing in market-leading, high-growth technology companies through a combination of majority or minority stakes. In particular, NGT II is expected to make equity checks typically greater than $50 million in thematically targeted areas, including enterprise software, security, internet / digital media, fintech, and tech-enabled and data services.

“When we initially set out to create a dedicated technology growth equity strategy over five years ago, we did so believing we could provide a truly differentiated approach to the market by leveraging the broader KKR platform and resources. Looking back on the businesses we’ve helped scale since and the strong returns we’ve delivered for our investors while doing so, we’re proud to continue to build on this momentum with NGT II. We look forward to investing behind the many more opportunities we see ahead to partner with best-in-class businesses in the technology growth sector,” said Dave Welsh, KKR Partner and Head of Technology Growth Equity.

KKR has established a strong track record of supporting technology-focused growth companies, having invested over $2.7 billion in related investments since 2014 and having built a dedicated global team of 19 investment professionals with deep technology growth equity expertise. Over the last year alone, the Firm has executed a number of transactions as part of this strategy, including in KnowBe4 and OneStream.

For companies, KKR prides itself on offering more than access to financial capital, but also a unique set of resources to leverage including the Firm’s operational and industry expertise, deep network, global reach and insights from its more than 100 current portfolio companies worldwide.

“With this fund closing at over three times the size of its predecessor fund, we are thrilled to see the strong support from investors globally, both new and existing for our team, our commitment to this asset class, and our differentiated approach in the sector,” said Alisa Amarosa Wood, KKR Partner and Head of KKR’s Private Market Products Group.

The Fund received strong backing from a diverse group of new and existing global investors, including public pensions, insurance companies, family offices, high net worth individual investors and other institutional investors. KKR will be investing more than $265 million of capital in the Fund alongside these investors through the Firm’s balance sheet and employee commitments.

About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate and credit, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200115005157/en/

Source: KKR

Media:
Kristi Huller or Cara Major
212.750.8300
Media@KKR.com