Europe’s largest independent growth debt fund manager reaches final close; Claret Capital Partners raises €575 million to back Europe’s boldest innovators

Claret’s latest fundraising cycle exceeds its €500m target, marking a significant step-up in scale for European growth lending.

• €575m raised in total, comprising €440m of Fund IV commitments and €135m of affiliated discretionary mandates, giving Claret significant firepower to back Europe’s leading growth companies
• Brings Claret’s total capital raised since inception to €1.3bn, backed by a global institutional investor base
• 32% of the fund already deployed across 27 companies, with a strong pipeline ahead

London, Monday 7 September: Claret Capital Partners (“Claret”), Europe’s largest independent growth debt fund manager, today announced the final close of its Claret European Growth Capital Fund IV (“Fund IV”; “the fund”). Together with affiliated discretionary mandates, this brings the total raised to €575m, surpassing Claret’s original €500m target. With over €1.5bn deployed across more than 210 companies – reflecting capital recycled across successive fund vintages – spanning technology, life sciences and impact sectors, the close reinforces Claret’s standing among the leading providers of growth lending in Europe.

Since launching Fund IV, Claret has backed 27 innovators, including Billie (B2B BNPL platform); Cinclus Pharma (clinical-stage pharmaceutical company); PRODA (commercial real estate software); Inventiva (clinical-stage biotech); SIS Medical (Swiss medtech); Surfe (B2B sales-intelligence platform); and VIOTAS (smart grid technology and energy flexibility services). With 32% of capital already deployed from Fund IV, investment activity continues at pace with a robust pipeline of companies seeking flexible, low-dilution capital to accelerate their growth through strategies such as international expansion, strategic acquisitions and product innovation.

Fund IV attracted increased commitments from Claret’s institutional investor base including pension plans, insurance companies, family offices, and other leading public and institutional investors, as well as from private wealth investors (through the use of an ELTIF structure). It will also benefit from a series of discretionary co-investment partnerships that give Claret the additional firepower required to support the biggest opportunities.

Fund IV’s close comes at a time of significant growth in the European venture and growth financing market. It reflects both the long-term opportunity for the asset class and the strong performance of Claret’s earlier vintages. Fund III held its final close (€297m) in 2022 and has since delivered a strong track record of strategic exits, including European champions such as Cytora (acquired by Applied Systems), Endomag (acquired by Hologic, Inc.), Logpoint (acquired
by Summa Equity), Lyst (acquired by ZOZO, Inc.), Tiqets (acquired by Expedia), as well as successful NASDAQ IPOs such as Abivax.

Following this final close, Claret will continue to expand its pan-European platform, increasing local presence across the continent’s key innovation hubs, including new team members now based in Paris and, soon, in Berlin.

David Bateman, Managing Partner at Claret Capital Partners commented:

“We are thrilled to announce the final closing of Fund IV which significantly surpassed our original expectations and would like to thank our LPs and co-investors for continuing to place their unwavering trust in our ability to find Europe’s leading founders. To have raised this amount not only validates our approach and track record but is also a massive vote of confidence for the European technology, life sciences and impact ecosystems. With a growing pipeline of high quality opportunities, the team is actively deploying capital and continuing to look for great entrepreneurs building the next generation of European champions.”

Johan Kampe, Managing Partner at Claret Capital Partners commented:

“It continues to be a true privilege to support the founders and entrepreneurs who are driving real innovation across Europe at a monumental time for both business and society. As equity markets remain more selective and founders look for ways to grow without unnecessary dilution, we expect demand for flexible, non-dilutive capital to keep accelerating – and Fund IV positions us to meet that demand at scale.”

-ENDS-