DPE announces the final closing of DPE IV, raising €1bn

MUNICH, 8th September 2020 – DPE Deutsche Private Equity (“DPE”), the leading specialist growth investor in the DACH region, is pleased to announce the successful first and final close of DPE Deutschland IV Fund (“DPE IV” or “the Fund”) at its hard cap of €1bn. The Fund, which was significantly oversubscribed, was raised in just over three months.

DPE IV received commitments from leading private equity investors and pension funds, with a global investor base originating in Europe (74%), North America (21%) and Asia (5%). Over half of the Fund’s commitments were received from new investors.

DPE’s fourth institutional private equity fund will see the firm pursue its proven strategy of sourcing compelling, proprietary investment opportunities across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, partnering with Mittelstand entrepreneurs and business-owners to help them scale and grow their businesses.

DPE targets medium-sized companies with the potential for significant growth acceleration in sectors supported by strong fundamentals, and those in which executing a buy and build strategy unlocks transformational growth.

DPE’s operationally focused investment strategy is unique – no other mid-market DACH investor has its own dedicated in-house operations team to support value creation. Furthermore, DPE’s expert local knowledge and extensive proprietary network have enabled the firm to deploy capital outside of competitive processes consistently since 2007 and form effective partnerships with Mittelstand management teams.

DPE takes pride in its reputation as a responsible investor with a focus on sustainable, long-term performance. Responsible investing and the consideration of ESG aspects in DPE’s investment practices and ownership policies have been integral to the firm since its foundation in 2007.

Marc Thiery, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of DPE, said:
“We are pleased with the strong support DPE IV has received from both new and existing investors, and we are very grateful for their trust in us as custodians of their capital. We believe that the success of this fundraise is testament to the strength of our investment strategy, which has demonstrated its resilience during the current crisis. The team looks forward to seeking out new opportunities to partner with exciting Mittelstand businesses, and to creating long-term value for all our investors.”

Quest Fund Placement acted as the sole placement agent in respect of the fundraising. Pöllath + Partners acted as legal counsel.