Golding Capital Partners GmbH has announced the successful final closing of its “Golding Buyout Co-Investment 2023” fund, achieving a hard cap of €400 million. This milestone comes despite a challenging fundraising landscape, marking a significant increase from the fund’s predecessor, which closed at €273 million.

The fund has attracted commitments from a diverse group of investors across nine European nations, with a notable concentration from Germany and Switzerland. Approximately 40% of the capital raised has come from new investors, showcasing a broad and varied investor base that includes insurance companies, pension funds, cooperatives, family offices, asset managers, savings banks, and foundations.

Investment Strategy and Focus

The “Golding Buyout Co-Investment 2023” fund is designed to invest alongside established private equity managers, primarily targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Europe remains the primary focus for investments, although there is also a selective approach to opportunities in North America. The fund aims to concentrate on sectors that demonstrate established and resilient growth, particularly in B2B services, healthcare, industrial manufacturing, and technology.

Sponsors

Golding Capital Partners has built a strong transaction pipeline, which is supported by its longstanding relationships with leading private equity managers, established since the firm’s inception in 2000. This reputation as a trusted co-investment partner has enabled Golding to access attractive co-investment opportunities, further enhancing the fund’s potential for success.

Current Portfolio and Future Prospects

At the time of the fund’s final closing, the portfolio already included ten companies. These investments feature a range of sectors, including a specialist in mobility and parking management solutions, a leading provider of alarm systems and security solutions, and a company offering testing, inspection, certification, and compliance services. Additionally, two more investments are currently undergoing advanced due diligence, with the expectation that the fund will ultimately invest in approximately 30 companies, ensuring broad diversification across various sectors and regions.

Commitment to Sustainability

The “Golding Buyout Co-Investment 2023” fund is classified as an Article 8 fund under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). This classification underscores the firm’s commitment to sustainability, which is integral to the investment process. Sustainability considerations are incorporated not only in the selection of investments but also in the ongoing monitoring of portfolio companies, reflecting a holistic approach to responsible investing.

Leadership Insights

Hubertus Theile-Ochel, Managing Partner at Golding, expressed confidence in the fund’s success, stating, “Despite a challenging fundraising environment, we successfully brought the fund to its hard cap. This reflects both the strategy’s strong track record and the high quality of the portfolio.” He further noted that the significant proportion of new investors is a testament to the firm’s reliability and the attractiveness of its investment opportunities, even in difficult market conditions. Theile-Ochel added, “The trust placed in us by our investors encourages us to continue on this path.”

About Golding Capital Partners

Golding Capital Partners GmbH is recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent asset managers for alternative investments, with a focus on infrastructure, private credit, private equity, and secondaries. The firm employs over 200 professionals across its offices in Munich, Luxembourg, Tokyo, and Zurich, managing approximately €17 billion in assets. Its diverse investor base includes pension funds, insurance companies, foundations, family offices, and various banking institutions. Golding has been a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) since 2013 and has supported the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) since 2021, reinforcing its commitment to responsible investment practices.