Paris-based Eurazeo is a private equity and VC firm that invests the necessary funds required in SMEs to realise their growth potential. In a recent development, the VC firm announced that it has exceeded initial targets for its growth strategy dedicated to equity investments in European tech, as it raises a massive €1.6B in funding.
The strategy was initiated in 2014 and aims to support leading tech companies in the fields of B2B SaaS, digital health, cybersecurity, infrastructure software, fintech and marketplaces.
Speaking on the development, Yann du Rusquec, Partner Growth at Eurazeo, says, “We are delighted by the trust that our investors have shown in us. With their support, we will pursue and step up our strategy of supporting European tech champions. We will bring to these companies the expertise and energy of Eurazeo’s dedicated team and the strength of our international network.”
“Eurazeo – Power Better Growth”
Eurazeo is an investment group with a portfolio of €22.7B in assets under management, including €16B from third parties, invested across 450 companies. The firm backs startups at any stage in the sectors including B2B SaaS, digital health, cybersecurity, infrastructure software, fintech, and marketplaces.
With experience in private equity, private debt, real estate and infrastructure, Eurazeo supports companies of all sizes, with their development through the commitment of its nearly 300 professionals. The firm also claims to offer in-depth sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a responsible and stable foothold for transformational growth.
Benoist Grossmann, CEO Eurazeo Investment Manager, Managing Partner Venture & Growth, says, “Strong investor demand is an acknowledgment of Eurazeo’s expertise in the tech sector. Over the last 20 years, Eurazeo has developed one of the best track records in Europe and now manages some of Europe’s largest Venture and Growth funds. We are very happy to be working alongside such talented entrepreneurs.”
The company has offices in Paris, New York, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, London, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Berlin and Madrid. The firm is listed on Euronext Paris.
Recent growth and development
According to a statement, Eurazeo says it has contributed to the rise of the French Tech, where it supports 24 companies within the Next 40, including unicorns Backmarket, Contentsquare, Doctolib, ManoMano and Vestiaire Collective.
The firm’s recent investment includes, Thought Machine (UK-based core banking software), PPRO (UK/Germany, provider for cross-border alternative payment methods), MessageBird (Netherlands, omnichannel communications platform), Neo4J (US originated in Sweden, offers graph database technology), and Tink (Sweden, provides open banking solutions).
Earlier this month, Eurazeo signed an agreement with Montagu Private Equity to sell its majority stake in Intech, a company that manufactures and develops orthopedic surgical instruments. Eurazeo has supported Intech by providing the human and financial resources needed for its development, thus helping to more than double the company’s business in just four years, to over €120M in 2021.
Also, this month, Eurazeo entered into exclusive negotiations with the French infrastructure investor InfraVia for the sale of its 41 per cent stake in Grandir, an operator of nurseries and schools in France, Europe, and North America. Through the sale of its Grandir stake, Eurazeo is set to earn a 2.0x return on its initial investment. Over the last five years, Eurazeo helped Grandir to increase the number of nurseries and schools managed from about 250 to more than 650 and its revenue from €140M to nearly €400M.