Nordic unquote" Awards 2007

One of Europe's busiest markets with record-breaking activity in 2007, the Nordic region's top achievements were celebrated on 30 October 2007 at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm. The shortlist was chosen by an audit of data from the region compiled by unquote's proprietary database, Private Equity Insight. A judging panel then decided the winners. The prestigious panel comprised Joachim Hoegh-Krohn, CEO at Argentum; Ulf-Henrik Kull, partner and head of transactions, Roschier; Per Thurezon, director of corporate finance, SEB Enskilda; Jesper Almstrom, partner and head of transaction support, Ernst & Young Sweden; and Linn Ronning, editor of Nordic unquote". Congratulations to all the winners.

Fundraising of the Year

EQT V

EQT

The vehicle was nearly double its predecessor and far exceeded its hardcap. EQT V also marked the largest Nordic fund to date.

The shortlist also included: Creandum II; CreVal Partners Fund I AB; Cubera Secondary KS; Litorina Kapital III

Debt Provider of the Year

Nordea

The winning bank provided debt on the most private equity-backed transactions in the past 12 months.

The shortlist also included: Dnb Nor; Handelsbanken; Royal Bank of Scotland.

Large Exit of the Year

Altor Equity Partners - Dynapac AB

Altor generated an impressive IRR of approximately 100% and returned 6x its initial investment on the Dynpac exit.

The shortlist also included: Apax Partners - Molnlycke Healthcare Group; Axcel, Carlisle Companies Inc, Kirkbi and FIH - Icopal; EQT - Plantasjen.

Mid-market Exit of the Year

Industri Kapital - Prevesta

In addition to an IRR of above 100% and 10x money multiple, the winner made very successful restructuring initiatives during its two-year holding period, increasing headcount from 413 to 530.

The shortlist also included: 3i - Nordic Modular; 3i and Litorina Kapital - Q-MATIC; Ferd Private Equity - Epax Holding AS; Nordic Capital - SATS.

Venture Exit of the Year

Viking Venture, Ferd Venture and Verdane Capital Advisors - Nacre AS

The winner in this category was one of the best European venture exits of the year, when it was sold to an international industrial buyer and generated an impressive return of 15x money multiple.

The shortlist also included: 3i - Wicom; Energy Ventures and Incitia Ventures - Sense EDM; InnovationsKapital - Spotfire; IVS, Nordic Venture Partners and Vaekstfonden - Ascio Technologies A/S; Provider Venture Partners - Drutt; Verdane Capital Advisors - Reslink.

Nacre - one of the best venture exits of the year in Europe

The technology of the hearing protection company was developed by SINTEF ICT, and the company's key technical personnel also came from that department. Nacre specialises in developing and manufacturing advanced noise protection communication headsets, used by the military forces and law enforcement personnel engaged in tactical operations to improve mission communication and situational awareness.

Trondheim-based Nacre, had been funded by SINTEF Venture, the venture arm of SINTEF, Viking Venture, Ferd Venture and Verdane Capital. Viking Venture participated in two rounds of financing. Ferd has been a shareholder in Nacre since February 2005 and Verdane Capital Advisors has been involved in the company since June 2006, when it acquired 75% of SINTEF's portfolio, where Nacre had been held until then.

Hall of Fame

Conni Jonsson

EQT

Conni Jonsson co-founded EQT in 1994/95 as the spinout of Investor AB. From being a niche regional player, Jonsson and EQT have fostered a true European private equity firm. Jonsson continues to be the managing director of the Swedish group and is a very well respected professional who has strongly contributed to placing the Nordic private equity market on the European map.

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