Ardian Achieves Record €3.2bn Expansion Fundraising Amid Adversity

Ardian, a globally recognized private investment house, has successfully raised a record €3.2 billion for its sixth-generation Expansion Fund, AEF VI, bucking the trend in a challenging fundraising landscape. Having surpassed its previous fund by 60% and exceeded the initial hard cap, this fundraise underscores investor confidence in Ardian's strategy, which involves investing in high-growth, mission-critical SMEs across Europe to aid in their development into international leaders. Approximately 200 limited partners participated, with nearly half of the capital originating from returning investors who increased their commitments by an average of 13%. Nearly 120 new investors joined, demonstrating Ardian's growing appeal. With a significant portion of funds already deployed, AEF VI continues to follow Ardian’s successful strategy of supporting mid-sized companies with strong prospects, having already completed eight key transactions. Ardian’s innovative approach includes sharing capital gains with company employees and focusing on sustainability, as highlighted by carbon footprint assessments and GHG reduction plans implemented across its portfolio. The fund also aligns with strategic acquisitions bolstered by a robust and experienced team. This latest fundraise follows the closure of Ardian’s first private equity Continuation Fund with Syclef, affirming Ardian’s commitment to nurturing champions.