Key Takeaways
- • Amethis closes Amethis Europe Expansion Fund at nearly €150 million, achieving its target despite challenging fundraising conditions for first-time funds, with an initial close of €75 million followed by final close including dedicated co-investment envelope.
- • The European Investment Bank (EIB) committed €20 million to the fund, alongside institutional investors representing over 50% of total commitments including Bpifrance, Groupe BRED, Arkéa Federal Finance, and Cofides, plus family offices and private investors.
- • Fund targets majority and minority investments between €8 million and €20 million, supporting European SMEs in international expansion across EMEA through exports, supply chain enhancement, local expansion, and M&A activity.
- • Nearly 50% of capital already deployed across five investments, demonstrating rapid execution and market validation of the fund's differentiated small-cap strategy combining Amethis' international growth expertise with Edmond de Rothschild's European platform.
- • Fund is led by Nicolas Manardo and Romain Gauvrit, positioned as a European small-cap vehicle with international angle, leveraging 11 offices across Europe and 4 offices in Africa.
Summary
Amethis Investment Fund Manager has achieved final close of its Amethis Europe Expansion Fund (AEE) at nearly €150 million, meeting its stated target. The fund successfully navigated a challenging fundraising environment for first-time vehicles, reaching an initial close of €75 million before completing the final close with a dedicated co-investment envelope. This milestone demonstrates sustained institutional confidence in the fund's strategy despite broader market headwinds affecting emerging manager fundraising.
The fund's investor base reflects institutional heavyweight participation. The European Investment Bank committed €20 million, representing a significant validation of the EU-Africa expansion thesis. Institutional investors collectively represent over 50% of total commitments, including Bpifrance, Groupe BRED, Arkéa Federal Finance, and Cofides. The investor roster was supplemented by family offices and private investors sourced through Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity's private banking network, creating a diversified LP base spanning both institutional and high-net-worth categories.
Amethis Europe Expansion targets majority and minority investments ranging from €8 million to €20 million, positioning itself as a European small-cap fund with international expansion focus. The fund supports European SMEs seeking growth across EMEA through four primary channels: exports, supply chain enhancement, local expansion, and M&A activity. This strategy differentiates the fund from traditional European mid-market vehicles by explicitly targeting cross-border growth dynamics.
Execution velocity has been notable—nearly 50% of committed capital has already been deployed across five investments as of the final close announcement, indicating rapid deal sourcing and conviction among the investment team. The fund is led by Nicolas Manardo and Romain Gauvrit and combines Amethis' established track record in international growth investing with Edmond de Rothschild's institutional European platform. The combined operational footprint of 11 European offices and 4 African offices provides infrastructure support for the stated investment thesis of connecting European and African economic corridors through mid-market business expansion.
The fund's investor base reflects institutional heavyweight participation. The European Investment Bank committed €20 million, representing a significant validation of the EU-Africa expansion thesis. Institutional investors collectively represent over 50% of total commitments, including Bpifrance, Groupe BRED, Arkéa Federal Finance, and Cofides. The investor roster was supplemented by family offices and private investors sourced through Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity's private banking network, creating a diversified LP base spanning both institutional and high-net-worth categories.
Amethis Europe Expansion targets majority and minority investments ranging from €8 million to €20 million, positioning itself as a European small-cap fund with international expansion focus. The fund supports European SMEs seeking growth across EMEA through four primary channels: exports, supply chain enhancement, local expansion, and M&A activity. This strategy differentiates the fund from traditional European mid-market vehicles by explicitly targeting cross-border growth dynamics.
Execution velocity has been notable—nearly 50% of committed capital has already been deployed across five investments as of the final close announcement, indicating rapid deal sourcing and conviction among the investment team. The fund is led by Nicolas Manardo and Romain Gauvrit and combines Amethis' established track record in international growth investing with Edmond de Rothschild's institutional European platform. The combined operational footprint of 11 European offices and 4 African offices provides infrastructure support for the stated investment thesis of connecting European and African economic corridors through mid-market business expansion.
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