Paris, on July 24th, 2009 - Demeter Partners, a Paris-based European private equity firm, announces the intermediate closing of Demeter 2 at € 182M. Demeter Partners is dedicated to expansion capital operations, but to early stage operations and majority acquisitions as well, in eco-energies and eco-industries in France and other European countries. The fund was launched on November 18th 2008 with a target size of €200 million and a 1st closing at € 125 million. Demeter 2 is the successor fund to Demeter, a fund of €105 million fully invested as of today. Investors in Demeter 2 include 2 sponsors (CDC Entreprises, IFP Investissements), about ten faithful investors already present in the 1st Demeter Fund (the main are Robeco, Cardif, CIC, CNP Assurances), but new investors as well: Total, Crédit Coopératif, Dahlia, European Investment Fund (EIF), GDF Suez, Pictor (a fund in which members of the Halley Family are invested) and Neotec (Spanish Fund of Fund).
Founded in 2005, Demeter Partners is a pioneer in France in the Cleantechs’ field. The current fund will continue to build on the successful strategy of Demeter’s predecessor fund, which consists of the early identification of high potential niches, selection of attractive companies having a good positioning in the value chain, in order to build a diversified and balanced portfolio.
Founded in Paris in June 2005, Demeter Partners is an independent asset management company, which takes capital interests in companies (generally unlisted) in the eco-industries and eco-energies sectors, with a view to financing their growth.
The Demeter Partners team is composed of 15 people in Paris who bring valuable market insight and technical expertise to portfolio companies. Truly European, Demeter Partners has an office in Madrid (5 people) and in Berlin (2 people).