Amsterdam-based HPE Growth, a long-term growth investor in European technology companies, announced on Tuesday that it has attracted minority GP investment from the Nieland Family Office to further expand its tech investment platform.
The Nieland Family Office will become a minority shareholder, bringing expertise and a network of tech entrepreneurs.
This collaboration will provide significant investment capital to HPE Growth’s strategy of scaling digital businesses in Europe through multiple fund products, including the Digital Climate impact fund.
Brief about Nieland Family Office
The Nieland family’s wealth comes from investing in and managing global technology companies with digital business models over the last 2 decades. The firm’s investment philosophy emphasises values like building lasting partnerships and maintaining ethical business practices for long-term growth.
Philipp Nieland is a prolific tech entrepreneur, credited with founding tech companies like PPRO and Dock Financial on a global scale.
PPRO held the distinction of being HPE Growth’s inaugural fintech investment, playing a pivotal role in the early accomplishments of HPE Growth. This collaboration has endured for 11 years, underlining the partnership between Philipp Nieland and HPE.
Philipp Nieland says, “We believe that the long-term oriented partnership between HPE Growth and our family office is a perfect match. For over 10 years we have been working together.”
“Knowing HPE Growth’s team, investment philosophy and thorough approach to value creation, we have a strong conviction in the future of HPE Growth and the plans for the next years as the firm evolves as a true investment platform.”
“With our investment and complementary expertise, we wish to add significant value to the HPE Growth team and the existing capabilities. We are excited to continue building a strong, growing firm that delivers value, return and innovation to the tech industry,” adds Nieland.
Capital utilisation
The transaction not only supports shareholder group realignment and succession planning, but also capitalises on the trend of GP stake partnerships, allowing HPE Growth to raise capital and strengthen its platform alongside other notable collaborations like Coller Capital, MML, and Armen.
Tim van Delden, Managing Partner and founder of HPE Growth, says, “We are thrilled to welcome the Nieland Family given our long-term relationship of over 10 years.”
“The permanent investment capital will be invaluable in our efforts to grow our investment platform, maintain the highest professional investment standards and expand our offering across distinct products.”
“We are convinced that such a partnership will help us achieve even greater success and further solidify our position in the market,” adds Van Delden.
Growth investing in “world-class” technology companies
Founded in 2010, HPE Growth is a sector-specific pan-European private equity firm. It specialises in providing growth capital investments to early to mid-stage technology companies across Europe.
With assets under management surpassing €500M, HPE Growth employs a unified strategy across multiple product offerings within the realm of digital technology.
The firm’s investments range from €10M to €40M per deal for substantial minority or majority stakes. Notable portfolio companies include PPRO, Tiqets, eGym, Uberall, and WeTransfer (a B Corp).
How will the Nieland Family Office support HPE Growth?
HPE Growth’s partnership with Nieland Family Office brings operational expertise, inventive investment approaches, and extensive tech industry knowledge.
Moreover, it enables HPE Growth to enhance its GP commitment per fund. This encompasses ongoing products like “HPE Growth Fund III” (SFDR article 8) and its impact product “Digital Climate Fund” (SFDR article 9).
HPE Growth’s current senior leadership team, led by Frederic Huynen, continues to manage the organisation. Huynen is also promoted to a member of the HPE Growth Management Team.
The Nieland Family Office will play an active role in expanding and diversifying HPE Growth’s investor network, as well as aiding in proprietary deal sourcing through its network. Nieland Family Office will not engage in operational or investment decision-making within HPE Growth’s GP, but maintain a strategic shareholding partnership.
By forming this partnership, HPE Growth says that it is reinforcing its position as a digital technology investment platform in Europe and enhancing its capacity for expansion.
This development also marks an exciting phase in HPE Growth’s progression, building on achievements like obtaining B Corp Certified status as one of the initial Pan-European technology growth investors.
01
Tech meets private credit: Demystifying Norsad Capital’s efficiency boost with PE Front Office