Euro Choice Direct, a co-investment fund advised by Akina, has raised 50 million euros (almost $55 million) in its first close. Also, the fund has partnered up with Invision to make an undisclosed investment in Swiss Education Group, a hotel management education company.
PRESS RELEASE
Euro Choice Direct, the first dedicated co-investment fund advised by Akina, has successfully completed its first closing rounds at more than EUR 50 million in December. In parallel, the fund completed its first investment in Swiss Education Group (SEG), the largest hotel management education group in Switzerland.
Akina, the leading specialist advisor to private equity vehicles, is pleased to announce the first closing rounds of its first dedicated co-investment fund. In parallel, Euro Choice Direct completed its first investment by co-investing with Invision in Swiss Education Group (SEG). The company is the largest hotel management education group in Switzerland with over 6’500 students from more than 110 different countries studying in seven campuses. SEG’s member schools provide undergraduate and postgraduate programs including an exciting range of specialisations.
Ulrich Bolze, Principal at Akina, added: “We are delighted to invest alongside Invision in SEG. The solid business model, limited cyclicality and strong cash generation makes it a stable investment with a favourable risk/return profile.”
Frank Becker, Managing Partner of Invision, commented: “The Swiss Education Group is well positioned to further profit from the increased demand of the hospitality industry for well-educated talents. With the support of Akina we will further strengthen SEG’s position.”
About Swiss Education Group
The Swiss Education Group is the largest hotel management education group in Switzerland with campuses in Montreux, Caux, Bouveret, Brig, Leysin, Neuchâtel and Lucerne. Since the establishment of its first hotel school in 1982, the Swiss Education Group has grown to become a world leading hospitality education network. The outstanding success of the Swiss Education Group has set new standards in the hospitality industry and provides inspiration to its graduates.
For further information, please visit www.swisseducation.com
About Euro Choice Direct
Euro Choice Direct invests alongside experienced fund managers and targets small and mid-sized companies in Europe with differentiated strategies, robust business models and attractive entry valuations. Its investment opportunities are sourced through Akina’s proprietary network of carefully selected private equity mid-market fund managers with a focus on sweet spot investments which mirror Akina’s high-conviction macroeconomic views. This results in a broad and attractive deal flow of about 100 relevant co-investment proposals per year. Akina’s expertise in advising on co-investments dates back to 2000 and encompasses numerous transactions.
Euro Choice Direct is still in fundraising and is expected to complete the final closing in Q2 2016 at the target size of EUR 150 million. Several prospects have earmarked parts of their 2016 allocation for this offering, which provides with one single fund investment access to highest quality deals in the true small and mid-cap market typically captured through several individual country funds only.
About Invision
Since its foundation in 1997, Invision has become a leading private equity firm for successions and buyouts in the German-speaking market. In this period, Invision has invested more than CHF 500 million in equity in over 50 companies and achieved sustainable value creation in its portfolio companies.
For further information please visit www.invision.ch.
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