Capvis is a

private equity firm A private equity firm or private equity company (often described as a financial sponsor) is an investment management company that provides financial backing and makes investments in the private equity of a Startup company, startup or of an existin ...

focused on

leveraged buyout A leveraged buyout (LBO) is the acquisition of a company using a significant proportion of borrowed money (Leverage (finance), leverage) to fund the acquisition with the remainder of the purchase price funded with private equity. The assets of t ...

and

growth capital Growth capital (also called expansion capital and growth equity) is a type of private equity investment, usually a minority interest, in relatively mature companies that are looking for capital to expand or restructure operations, enter new markets ...

investments in

middle-market companies A middle-market or mid-market company is one that is larger than a small business and smaller than a big business. Different authorities use different metrics to compare company sizes — some look at revenue, others at either asset size or number ...

across a range of industries in the Industrial Corridor of Europe (Switzerland, Germany, Italy and the Benelux). The firm is based in Baar and was founded in 1990. The firm has raised approximately €3.2 billion since inception across three independent funds as well as two predecessor funds.

History

The firm was founded in 1990 as division of

Swiss Bank Corporation Swiss Bank Corporation (French language, French: ''Société de banque suisse''; German language, German: ''Schweizerischer Bankverein'') was a Swiss Investment banking, investment bank and financial services company located in Switzerland. Prio ...

, one of the constituent pieces that today is part of

UBS AG UBS Group AG (stylized simply as UBS) is a multinational Investment banking, investment bank and financial services firm founded and based in Switzerland, with headquarters in both Zurich and Basel. It holds a strong foothold in all major fina ...

. From 1990 through 1994, the group had approximately CHF 84 million to invest. Beginning in 1995, the group was branded SBC Equity Partners but was still a wholly owned subsidiary of

. SBC Equity Partners invested from a CHF 117 million vehicle, SBC Equity Partners Fund. In 1999, shortly after the merger of

and

Union Bank of Switzerland Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) was a Swiss Investment banking, investment bank and financial services company located in Switzerland. The bank, which at the time was the second largest bank in Switzerland, merged with Swiss Bank Corporation in ...

(UBS), the firm began to raise capital from outside investors. This first Capvis fund raised CHF 340 million of investor commitments. While UBS held approximately 40% of the firm's capital, the remainder came from Swiss and international investors. In 2003, Capvis completed a spinout from UBS, including a buyout of the bank's ownership interest to become a fully independent private equity firm. Subsequently, the firm completed fundraising for a €340 million fund, Capvis II. In 2008, Capvis raised €600 million for its third independent fund, Capvis III. In December 2013, Capvis bought swimwear brand

Arena An arena is a large enclosed venue, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, Music, musical performances or Sport, sporting events. It comprises a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for specta ...

for an undisclosed sum. In 2014, the firm closed Capvis Equity IV for €720 million. In March 2015, it was reported that Capvis, other European buyout groups

Permira Permira Holdings Limited is a British global investment firm specialised in buyouts, growth funds, equity funds, and credit funds. Founded in 1985 as part of Schroders, it became independent in 1996. Operating as Permira since 2001, the company ...

and Bridgepoint, and South Korean investment firm NXMH were lining up final bids for fashion group Bogner. In 2018, Capvis closed middle-market fund Capvis Equity V for €1.2 billion. In December 2019, Capvis acquires Tertianum Group.

References

Allianz Capital Partners to sell BARTEC to Capvis
AltAssets, August 6, 2008
Capvis acquires KVT for €325m
, July 21, 2008
Swiss Capvis backs management buy-out of ORIOR Food Group
AltAssets, Aug 31, 2006
HgCapital partners with Capvis in €325m acquisition of Koenig Verbindungstechnik
AltAssets, September 19, 2008

External links

Capvis
(company website) Private equity firms of Switzerland Financial services companies established in 1990 Financial services companies of Switzerland UBS Swiss companies established in 1990 {{US-private-equity-company-stub