Accueil » News » SWEN CP launches SWEN PE Select Europa 7, one of the first Article 9 multi-strategy funds
SWEN Capital Partners, a leading player in Responsible Investment in the non-listed sector, announces an initial closing at €83 million of the 7th year of its multi-strategy range, the SWEN PE Select Europa fund [Europa 7]. Classified as article 9 according to the SFDR regulation, this vehicle targets profitable European SMEs/ midcaps in diversified and promising sectors such as health, indirectly via the selection of funds or directly via a dedicated co-investment pocket, Energy transition and decarbonisation.
The renewed commitment of historic investors and the arrival of new entrants attest to the relevance of the responsible investment strategy implemented for fifteen years by SWEN Capital Partners [SWEN CP].
Team and track record
Led by Laurent Ghilardi, Managing Director and Head of the multi-strategy private equity business, the new fund is managed by a dedicated team of 7 professionals associated with ESG expertise of ten employees. With 170 investments made since the range was launched in 2008, the investment team has a long-standing expertise in this segment. With a 15-year presence in the European market and an investment of €950 million over the previous six years, SWEN CP also has a strong network of more than 180 partner management companies, which have enabled it to generate regular deal flow.
Strategies and goals
The SWEN PE Select Europa 7 fund aims to deploy €500 million in European SMEs/midcaps from all sectors, with a focus on health, energy transition and decarbonisation. The fund targets about 40 transactions via the usual triptych, namely primary (50%), secondary (20%) and co-investments (30%). Investors can, if they wish, invest directly in the portfolio companies through the SWEN RISE [Responsible Investment Sustainable Enterprises] fund, launched jointly with Europa 7 and dedicated exclusively to co-investments. In addition to risk diversification, this program offers greater flexibility for investors who wish to focus on a direct investment approach. The fund has an average investment ticket between €5 and €15 million and aims, as in previous programmes, at a net annual IRR of over 12%.
A strenghtened funds selection
Committed to responsible finance, the new multi-strategy model takes the selection of managers one step further. To be selected, funds must be classified as Article 9. This criterion reflects SWEN CP’s desire to focus on sectors of activity that are beneficial for society and the environment in accordance with the strictest standards in force in European regulations, consistent with the Group’s policy of continuous improvement, which was notably achieved by adopting the company status as a company with a mission at the end of 2023.
For direct co-investments, which represent one-third of the program, the team uses an analysis of sustainability issues and measures in particular the “Net Environmental Contribution” (NEC) of each investment opportunity in relation to environmental issues (climate, biodiversity, water, waste/ resources…).
Private equity plays a key role in financing territories and creating jobs in promising sectors such as health, digital, the environment or the circular economy. Our approach to fund and company selection promotes best practices for ESG integration and supports those who wish to improve in this area
Laurent GHILARDI
Managing Director, in charge of growing Multi-strategy Private Equity at SWEN CP
We are proud to have structured one of the first article 9 funds in the market as a multi-strategy private equity. This fund is a catalyst to accelerate our impact and works every day to build a more sustainable world for the benefit of our clients and partners
