11 private equity-kantoren in Nederland sloten zich bij ons aan voor een Out of the Ordinary-gelegenheid om te concurreren, contacten te leggen en de banden binnen de sector aan te halen.
Op 10 juli 2025 organiseerde Investec de allereerste Padel Champions Cup bij de Padel Mate Club, net buiten Amsterdam. Het evenement was speciaal bedoeld voor de private equity-gemeenschap en bracht meer dan 50 professionals van toonaangevende firma’s samen.
Gasten genoten van padelwedstrijden en drankjes terwijl zij met elkaar netwerkten. De Cup markeert de start van een nieuwe reeks evenementen gericht op het versterken van relaties via sport.
Hoogtepunten
Een van de hoogtepunten was de spannende finale in de Advanced League, waarin FIELDS Group Vendis Capital versloeg – een wedstrijd die het publiek op het puntje van hun stoel hield. In de Beginners League nam Rivean Capital het op tegen Gate Invest en won overtuigend met 8-3. Hun sterke optreden zette de toon voor de rest van het toernooi en belooft nog meer spektakel in de volgende rondes.
Gemeenschap
Van senior partners tot jonge medewerkers: het evenement verwelkomde een brede mix van professionals uit de private equity-wereld. Het competitieve maar vriendschappelijke karakter van het toernooi moedigde spontane gesprekken, nieuwe ontmoetingen en een vleugje speelse rivaliteit aan.
Buiten de baan zorgde de informele sfeer voor open gesprekken over de nieuwste trends en ontwikkelingen in de sector.
Vooruitblik
De Padel Champions Cup keert later dit jaar terug en sluit volgend jaar zomer af met een spannende finaleronde.
Geïnteresseerd in deelname aan toekomstige edities? Neem contact met ons op via [email protected]. We kijken ernaar uit om de volgende keer nóg meer mensen uit onze gemeenschap te verwelkomen.
Bij Investec geloven we dat sterke bedrijven gebouwd zijn op sterke relaties. Daarom zetten we ons in voor Out of the Ordinary ervaringen voor onze klanten en partners.
On June 5, we had the pleasure of hosting a selected group of entrepreneurs for our TMT CEO Dinner in our Wiesbaden office.
The evening focused on strategic dialogue around digital transformation and the impact of software and how leaders can actively shape the future of their businesses. A standout moment was the keynote by Lars Lehne (former CEO of Incubeta and Syzygy), who offered inspiring perspectives on South African culture and the intersection of digital expertise, leadership, and openness to change – all with a fresh and thought-provoking angle.
The event wrapped up with a relaxed and personal dinner, offering a space for open dialogue and meaningful new connections.
Evenings like this are where ideas begin to take shape and future plans are set in motion. We’re already looking forward to the next edition!
Investec M&A advisory recently facilitated the negotiation module again for the NVP Essentials Course in the Netherlands.
This highly regarded multi-day program, organized by the Dutch Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (NVP), provides a comprehensive overview of the complete private equity investment process, equipping starting PE and M&A professionals with essential knowledge and practical skills.
During the PE Essentials training, the professionals went through the entire PE investment process. Investec led the workshop focused on negotiation strategies, while other speakers covered topics such as bank financing, investment management, due diligence and exits.
Our negotiation workshop equipped participants with practical tools and strategies for maximizing deal outcomes. This hands-on training directly enhances their daily work performance. Following a challenging round of negotiations in our case study, champagne was awarded to the buyers and sellers who achieved the most favorable outcome at the end.
Investec’s continuous involvement in the NVP Essentials Course underscores our commitment to continuous professional development and dedication to staying at the forefront of the private equity industry.
Recap | Information event: Financing summit | 11 October 2024 | Bergwelt Kandel
Creative solutions for challenging times
The economy is faltering, and order intake has become volatile or even shrinking. Companies planning a refinancing, a generational change or having to fund investment programs are facing difficult market conditions. The buzzword ‘transformation’ is being used inflationary, and some even speak of de-industrialization in Germany. What role do banks and financial partners play in this situation? Does debt capital still make sense, or do mezzanine financings and minority equity offer a real alternative?
These and other questions were the focus of the wvib Financing Summit on the Kandel, where expert insights were provided by Michael Fabich, Chairman Investec, and Thorsten Gladiator, Managing Partner Investec. They discussed the crucial role and significance of the sector in today’s financial landscape.
The wvib (Wirtschaftsverband Industrieller Unternehmen Baden e. V. in the Southwest of Germany) is a trade association for industrial SMEs, a mouthpiece and service provider for family-owned medium-sized companies. Founded in 1946 by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, wvib comprises 1,040 manufacturing companies with 384,000 employees and a worldwide turnover of 75 billion euros. The association has over 60 full-time employees. At the invitation of wvib, Investec took part in the wvib Financing Summit with a presentation together with representatives of financing providers and companies.
Private equity as a flexible financing instrument: from locust to grasshopper
Private equity (PE) has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades. Once decried as ‘locusts’, private equity has now developed into an instrument to fund sustainable growth. PE also plays an important role in German medium-sized companies when it comes to successfully managing succession arrangements, changes in ownership or strengthening of equity. The success of the model is reflected in the figures: In Germany today, there are over 470 private equity firms that have invested in more than 5,500 portfolio companies, which together generate annual sales of €293 billion and employ around 1.5 million people. In the last five years alone, around €76 billion has been invested in the market. Thorsten Gladiator and Michael Fabich emphasize that PE today is more than just financial engineering. The focus is on long-term value enhancement through targeted operational improvements and strategic growth.
Between transformation and regulatory pressure
What will 2024 look like for a German automotive supplier? The Leiber Group, a family-run company with a long tradition, invested heavily in e-mobility – once a reason for customers and financing partners to be pleased. However, the expected unit numbers fell short of the forecasts by up to 80%. Managing Director Martin Müller describes the situation as a ‘vicious cycle’: price pressure from customers, constant transformation pressure and a growing flood of regulation are weighing on both the workforce and the company’s liquidity. Nevertheless, Leiber is looking optimistically to the future with a new brand identity and the motto ‘with ease ahead’. A consortium of five savings banks is securing the financing. ‘We don’t complain, we act’ – a motto that fits perfectly with the current times.
Financing the future – how, who and when?
A “management buyout” instead of a handover within the family raises exciting questions: How much capital can the management raise? How do you organise a gradual transition? The mechanical engineering firm MAFAC, managed by Rainer and Joachim Schwarz, tackled this process at an early stage. For the new managing director and shareholder Stefan Schal, financial security through a complex construct of silent partnerships, fixed-interest loans and a guarantee was anything but a given. The solution preserved the values of the family business and secured its future.
Global markets, local solutions
The Sparkasse Freiburg-Nördlicher Breisgau also sees the world as changing. While sales markets are global, financing is often secured locally. This is where Markus Hildmann comes in. With topics such as sustainability regulation, corporate finance and corporate succession, the Sparkasse supports companies with modern software solutions such as Nawisio, which are designed to facilitate compliance with CSRD, EU taxonomy and CSDDD. The centre of excellence for corporate succession is designed to ensure that the 125,000 companies affected each year find a suitable solution. Hildmann emphasises that it is crucial to involve financing partners at an early stage.
Mezzanine financing: stopgap or strategic advantage?
Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft (MBG) and Bürgschaftsbank BW work closely together. For Chris Hammer, the silent participation is a strategic tool for getting back on the offensive from a defensive position. Thanks to its subordination, lack of exit pressure and non-interference in day-to-day business, this instrument can create a solid basis for further outside capital without the need to sell company shares. Creditworthiness and room for maneuver are maintained – ideal for transformations, growth financing, innovations, successions or start-ups.
Conclusion
According to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW), Germany will need around €1.3 trillion of financing between now and 2030 to achieve the transformation and future growth it needs. This staggering figure makes it clear that traditional financing methods alone will not be enough. To successfully shape the economic future of German SMEs and finance transformations, it will take courage, collaboration and an open mind when it comes to tapping new sources of capital.
Watch the recap of the Summit here:
The Rheingau Music Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Europe and organises over 170 concerts every year throughout the region from Frankfurt and Wiesbaden to the Middle Rhine Valley.
Unique cultural monuments such as Eberbach Monastery, Johannisberg Castle, Vollrads Castle or the Wiesbaden Kurhaus as well as picturesque vineyards are transformed every summer into concert stages for stars of the international classical music scene and interesting up-and-coming artists from classical music and jazz to cabaret and world music.
In over 30 years, the Rheingau and its festival have become a centre of attraction for music enthusiasts from all over the world in a unique interplay of culture and nature, music, enjoyment and joie de vivre.
Investec is delighted once again to sponsor the Rheingau Music Festival 2024 and invites you to join us from 22 June to 7 September 2024!
A special feature this year? For the first time, there will be two opening concerts: Traditionally, the festival opens in the Eberbach Monastery, followed by another opening concert in the Kurhaus Wiesbaden. This year’s focus artists are also particularly outstanding: violinist Christian Tetzlaff, cellist Anastasia Kobekina, pianist Bruce Liu and jazz saxophonist Candy Dulfer.
Once again this year, various themes and focuses will ensure a varied and exciting programme. Under the motto “Spot on: Hollywood”, the world of film music comes to life in twelve concerts. Under the motto “Brazil!”, the contrasts and beauties of the country will be explored musically. The programme is also dedicated to the works of Antonín Dvořák and a true classic: Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”.
The stages of the 37th festival season will be graced by numerous stars from the worlds of classical and pop music. Highlights include star pianist Lang Lang, singers Álvaro Soler, Max Mutzke and Max Giesinger, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, opera singer Rolando Villazón and entertainer Eckart von Hirschhausen.
Investec has been a committed sponsor of the Rheingau Music Festival for more than 15 years. This long-standing partnership is characterised by our deep appreciation for the arts and a strong connection to local culture. We look forward to experiencing a rousing summer full of music together with you again this year.
You can view the detailed program here.