EQT closes new European tech growth-stage fund on EUR 2.2bn
EQT has held a EUR 2.2bn final close on EQT Growth above its EUR 2bn target, raising total commitments of EUR 2.4bn to invest in growth-stage technology companies in Europe and Israel.
Total commitments include funds raised from EQT employees and the EQT Network, which are not fee-generating, according to an announcement from the GP.
EQT Growth, launched in July 2020, will support fast-growing technology companies, especially in Europe and Israel, as they continue to scale. The GP sees large opportunity for a growth investor with European roots and local expertise, according to the announcement.
A source familiar with the situation told Unquote that the firm thinks the long-term fundamentals of European tech are strong, especially within its four primary target sub-sectors. Investments will be supported by secular macro trends and led by strong management teams, the source added.
The vehicle is backed by a global group of investors including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, asset managers and high-net-worth individuals from across Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East, according to the announcement.
Investments
EQT Growth will invest around EUR 50m-EUR 200m in high-growth companies that have achieved product-market fit and are taking their next step to scale, primarily within four tech sub-sectors: enterprise, con/prosumer, health, and climate, according to the announcement.
The fund, which still has over two-thirds of capital available, has made seven investments to date. Deals in the portfolio include the USD 450m investment in Sweedish music-tech platform for restriction-free music Epidemic Sound (2017), EUR 235m investment in Germany-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) banking platform Mambu (2021) and EUR250m series-F round for second-hand fashion app Vinted (2021), giving it a pre-money valuation of EUR 3.5bn, as reported.
EQT has EUR 77bn in assets under management (AUM) as of 30 June 2022, across 36 active funds, according to a press release. It launched its latest flagship fund, EQT X, in January 2022 with a target of EUR 20bn and a hard cap of EUR 21.5bn, according to Unquote Data.
Latest News
Stonehage Fleming raises USD 130m for largest fund to date, eyes 2024 programme
Multi-family office has seen strong appetite, with investor base growing since 2016 to more than 90 family offices, Meiping Yap told Unquote
Permira to take Ergomed private for GBP 703m
Sponsor deploys Permira VIII to ride new wave of take-privates; Blackstone commits GBP 200m in financing for UK-based CRO
Partners Group to release IMs for Civica sale in mid-September
Sponsor acquired the public software group in July 2017 via the same-year vintage Partners Group Global Value 2017
Change of mind: Sponsors take to de-listing their own assets
EQT and Cinven seen as bellweather for funds to reassess options for listed assets trading underwater