Venture Capital fund 360° Capital Partners that invests in innovative start-ups in Italy and France announce the first closing if it's new fund at 60 milion euros. This announcement is importnat because comes in a moment where the Venture Capital needs a boost in order to keep acting as one of the main actors that supports the development of innovative ideas and companies. The new 360° Capital Partners fund is also the first one that seed a direct investment by the Fondo Italiano di Investimento.
Following is a note by the VC to illustrate details of the new fund:
360° Capital Partners successfully carried out the first closing of its new fund at euro 60 million and with a target size of euro 100 million. Total capital under management, comprising all previous and current funds has therefore exceeded the amount of euro 300 million.
The fund has the objective of financing fast growing and highly innovative start-ups both in seed and growth stage. For 360° Capital Partners France and Italy represent the two core geographies of investment with specific focus on digital, cleantech and medtech sectors. In those countries and sectors 360° Capital Partners’ team has developed a 15-year long investment experience.
Among the main investors of the new fund are the European Investment Fund, CDC Entreprise, Fondo Italiano degli Investimenti, Banca Intesa, Caixa General de Depositos and several large family offices. Both returning and new investors have seen the strategic and financial opportunity to get exposure to high growth companies developing innovative products and services targeted to major markets.
360° Capital Partners’ investment team has built a solid track record of success in different times, sectors and geographies. The current portfolio comprises a number of high potential companies including: Aramis Auto, a car dealer with a unique online/offline business model and distribution in several EU countries; Leetchi, a safe and convenient online service for all types of group payment; Newlisi, a cleantech company which develops and commercializes a revolutionary sludge treatment technology; Electro Power Systems, the leading manufacturer of fuel cell back-up power systems and selected as the Technology Pioneer 2012 by the World Economic Forum in Davos; and Invendo Medical, which received FDA approval for its sedation-less and disposable colonoscope earlier this year. Besides the current portfolio, 360° Capital Partners’ investment team was an early investor in Tradingscreen (sold to Technology Crossover Ventures), Euroffice (sold to Darwin Private Equity), Yoox (IPOed), Gruppo MOL (IPOed), Smartjog (sold to Télé Diffusion de France), QXL (IPOed), SelfTrade (IPOed).
Additionally, 360° Capital Partners proudly announces the addition of Cesare Maifredi as partner. Cesare Maifredi joins Fausto Boni, Diana Saraceni, François Tison and Emanuele Levi. Cesare Maifredi brings a long international experience in the cleantech sector, energy and water treatment in particular. Finally, Pierre Massabki, with more than 10 years of experience in similar positions, joins as CFO of the new fund.
