Press release
Amundi Private Equity Funds launches first
European investment programme
in non-listed companies
benefiting from “megatrends”
London – 12/02/2016 - Amundi Private Equity Funds (PEF), a benchmark player in private equity in
1
2
Europe, announces the launch of the first investment programme in non-listed European SMEs /midsized businesses benefiting from at least one of the five “megatrends”: technology, demographics,
globalisation, the environment and societal changes. The programme targets French and European
investors seeking diversification and reaching out for yield in an environment of low interest rates.
Amundi PEF aims to raise €250 million.
In recent years, megatrends have been acting as disruptive forces and shaking up the global economy
in all sectors. Amundi PEF’s team has noted that despite the sluggish economic environment in
Europe, many SMEs and mid-sized businesses are enjoying strong growth and what these companies
have in common is that they all benefit from at least one of the five identified megatrends.
1
This investment programme seeks to take active minority stakes in private equity and buyout capital
in companies with high-quality management, a convincing history of profitability, organic or external
growth targets and robust financial fundamentals. As a signatory of the investors’ charter for growth,
3
Amundi PEF applies ESG principles in selecting target deals with an average value of €10 million to
€35 million and is looking for an internal rate of return (IRR) of 20% gross per transaction.
Stanislas Cuny, Head of direct private equity, Amundi PEF, adds: “With our active minority investment
strategy, we have access to entrepreneurial and family-owned businesses whose managers are often
reluctant to open up their capital to LBO funds taking majority positions. Our positioning in solid
megatrends, which drive corporate growth and performance, is an excellent opportunity for both
investors and our partner companies: in fact, we have just closed our first deal, worth €136 million.”
With an investment management team of nine experienced investors with an average experience of
4
4
15 years in private equity, a historical IRR of 26% and a very low loss rate of 1.3% , Amundi PEF is
5
one of the most successful teams in the French private equity industry .
Pedro Antonio Arias, Head of Real and Alternative Assets at Amundi, adds: “We benefit from strong
origination capabilities and an extensive business network through our partner networks in France and
Europe, giving us privileged access to SMEs and mid-sized enterprises. Thanks to this activity and to
the private debt activity, Amundi has become a leading player in helping businesses meet their
financing needs.”
1. The investment programme consists of several different legal structures acting in parallel, including: a venture capital fund (FCPR) approved by
the French financial markets authority (AMF), designed for retail investors and investment funds, and a professional private equity fund (FPCI)
designed for sophisticated investors.
2 SMEs: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
3 Environmental, Social and Governance
4 Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance - Amundi PEF data as at 31/12/2015
5 Source AFIC/Ernst & Young – French private equity at 31/12/2014 www.afic.asso.fr
Investors’ attention is called to the fact that the funds that are part of the investment programme present a risk of capital loss.
This is a long-term investment, capital will be blocked for the duration of the funds’ life and the management company cannot
guarantee liquidity beyond this term.
1
About Amundi Private Equity Funds
With more than €6 billion in assets under management (at 30 June 2016), Amundi Private Equity Funds offers its retail
and institutional clients a wide range of products tailored to their needs. Clients can invest in two types of products: direct
funds dedicated to acquiring direct holdings in non-listed companies (in development and transfer phases), and funds of
funds dedicated to investing in private equity, private debt and infrastructure funds. Amundi ETF is an authorised
management company fully-owned by Amundi.
Amundi Private Equity Funds, French Société anonyme (joint stock company) with a share capital of €12,394,096 - Portfolio
management company authorised by AMF under no.GP 99.015 - Head office: 90 boulevard Pasteur, 75015 Paris - France Paris Trade and Companies Registry 422 333 575
About Amundi
Publicly traded since November 2015, Amundi is the largest European Asset Manager in terms of AUM(*), with over 1,000
billion euros worldwide. Headquartered in Paris, France, Amundi has six investment hubs located in the world’s key financial
centres, and offers a combination of research depth and market experience that has earned the confidence of its clients.
Amundi is the trusted partner of 100 million retail clients, 1,000 institutional clients and 1,000 distributors in more than 30
countries, and designs innovative, high-performing products and services for these types of clients tailored specifically to their
needs and risk profile.
Go to http://www.amundi.com for more information or to find an Amundi office near you.
Follow us
Amundi scope - Data at 30 September 2016 - * No. 1 in total assets under management of management companies with their
main headquarters in Europe - Source: IPE “Top 400 asset managers” published in June 2016, based on assets under
management at 31 December 2015.
Press contact
Amundi
Natacha Sharp
Tel: +33 1 76 37 86 05
[email protected]
2