PRESS RELEASE
Paris, February 4, 2025
After strong growth in holdings in 2024,
GENEO Capital Entrepreneur reached €740 million in funds under management
including €500 million in evergreen NAV
GENEO Capital Entrepreneur, continues its commitment to supporting resilient and ambitious SMEs and ETIs over the long term, with a unique approach to entrepreneurial capital. A major success in 2024 was the first complete disposal of a shareholding. Completed ahead of schedule, it confirms the relevance of the investment company's business model.
A high-performance model based on patience, trust and long-term support
With 740 million euros of funds under management, including 500 million euros of net asset value for its evergreen fund GENEO Capital, 29 companies invested, a first complete divestment and 16% average annual growth in Ebitda of invested companies, GENEO Capital Entrepreneur is fulfilling the promise it made 5 years ago by deploying its ability to accompany companies through all economic cycles, with no limits on action, and should propose at its Annual General Meeting the payment of a first dividend to its investors. This performance, and our ability to distribute the fruits of it, is particularly noteworthy against a backdrop of widespread economic slowdown.
In 2024, the company invested nearly 43 million euros in 3 new holdings, while reinvesting nearly 25 million euros in 4 of the companies already supported. The management company is demonstrating its ability to accelerate in order to seize opportunities and go beyond the initial project, so as to transform, with patience and confidence, French nuggets into true European champions.
GENEO Capital Entrepreneur stands out in the private equity landscape for its "evergreen" investment company model, which enables it to follow companies' strategies over time and adapt to their natural cycles. The aim is to support growing SMEs and ETIs (with an average investment of €15 million), capable of transforming themselves while integrating societal issues and positive impact. GENEO Capital Entrepreneur focuses on minority investments of between €3 and €30 million, in companies with sales of over €10 million and EBITDA of over €1 million.
With a community of nearly 260 shareholders, investors, entrepreneurs and families, GENEO Capital Entrepreneur is supported by a unique business network. These partners provide not only capital, but also a valuable network of business contacts and expertise. This environment encourages the exchange of ideas and the creation of synergies, both nationally and internationally.
A strategy of external growth and internationalization
The dynamic support offered by GENEO Capital Entrepreneur to its multi-sector portfolio is reflected in a strong focus on external growth and international expansion. Since 2019, the companies supported have made 76 acquisitions, 23 of which were international, and have set up operations in 51 countries (which means that 45% of the portfolio's consolidated sales will be international by 2024).
The "Carnet de Croissance", a support methodology specific to GENEO Capital Entrepreneur, is a key tool for identifying the levers of value creation. For the evergreen company GENEO Capital alone, the deployment of this support model in the 22 companies in the portfolio has generated more than 430 specific actions, notably in the fields of strategy, governance, innovation, international development and positive impact.
Outlook for 2025: new fund-raising and European expansion.
In 2025, GENEO Capital Entrepreneur will continue to develop its business model, with the ambitious goal of becoming a leading private equity player in Europe. The strengthening of GENEO Capital, which will reach €500 million in NAV by the end of February, will make it possible to finance new acquisitions and support existing companies. In addition to leading institutional investors, GENEO can count on the support of some 230 families and entrepreneurs, and aims to go beyond this to unite all those who wish to support the deployment of Entrepreneur Capital.
Starting this summer, the company will open its capital to new shareholders, enabling more European entrepreneurs to join its community. In particular, interested investors will be offered tickets starting from 100,000 euros. The aim is to further expand the GENEO community. The company continues to aim for geographical expansion, creating a GENEO ecosystem in Europe, starting with Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Benelux, as it is already present in several of these geographies.
A demanding and committed governance model
GENEO Capital Entrepreneur stands out for its responsible governance and strong commitment to society. In 2023, the company obtained "Société à Mission" status, reinforcing its role as a responsible economic player. A significant portion of the dividends generated is reinvested in the GENEO Community endowment fund, which supports educational and social initiatives: in concrete terms, each member of the GENEO Capital Entrepreneur team has undertaken to pay one third of his or her dividend share to the GENEO Community endowment fund. By 2025, this total contribution will reach 700 K€.
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About GENEO Capital Entrepreneur :
The purpose of GENEO Capital Entrepreneur is to provide the real economy with positive finance that combines performance and meaning.
Designed to reveal the potential for value creation, job creation and impact of SMEs and ETIs, GENEO Capital Entrepreneur has nearly 740 million euros under management. In particular, it manages the "evergreen" investment company GENEO Capital, whose capital is majority-owned by families and entrepreneurs. GENEO thus provides tailor-made capital, which adapts to the pace of each company and provides responsiveness and flexibility.
As a business partner and mission-driven company, GENEO is committed to providing support for the execution of structuring, growth and transformation projects through all of its teams, including its specialized "business partners" (external growth, structuring of liabilities, positive impact, digital and innovation). It also has a platform of more than 70 independent experts and a Community of more than 230 families and entrepreneurs, offering experience sharing and a business network that is unique in France. The terms of this operational support are adapted to the specific needs of each company and formalized jointly by the GENEO team, the management team and the other shareholders of the company in a "Growth Notebook".
Passionate about those who do, create and want to shake things up, the GENEO team's only ambition is to bring that of each entrepreneur to the highest level.
At GENEO, when we invest, we invest!
For more information: www.geneocapitalentrepreneur.com
Press contacts :
For GENEO Capital Entrepreneur :
Bien Commun Advisory :
Hugues de Tournemine / h.detournemire@bcadvisory.fr / 06 67 07 22 33
Frédéric Paillet - 01 43 35 49 84 - f.paillet@bcadvisory.fr
