Columbus Capital Completes Fundraising for Search Fund
Funding | May 28, 2025 | Legal Community Italy
Columbus Capital, an investment vehicle led by Andrea Bernardi, has successfully completed its fundraising process and announced the commencement of its search phase for acquiring a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) to guide and develop. The firm's strategy focuses on acquiring profitable SMEs in Italy and Spain, particularly those engaged in energy transition, efficiency, and circular economy sectors. This aligns with Bernardi's international experience in renewable energies. Legal support for structuring the project, establishing the search fund vehicle, and completing necessary contractual documentation was provided by Cappelli Riolo Calderaro Crisostomo Del Din & Partners, under the guidance of managing associate Alessandro Antoniozzi. Columbus Capital's investor base is diverse, featuring over 20 investors, including prominent institutional funds such as Paolo Guida, Cabiedes Capital, Orca Equity Capital, Secways, Novidam, and Visconti Capital.
Sectors
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
- Energy Transition & Efficiency
Geography
- Italy – Columbus Capital is based in Italy and its investment focus includes Italian SMEs.
- Spain – The search fund also targets SMEs in Spain, indicating a geographic focus on this country as well.
Industry
- Private Equity & Venture Capital – The article discusses the establishment and operation of a search fund by Columbus Capital, a type of private equity investment vehicle.
- Energy Transition & Efficiency – Columbus Capital focuses on acquiring SMEs involved in energy transition and efficiency, showing relevance to the renewable energy and environmental sectors.
Financials
- Over 20 investors – Indicates a diverse pool of investors backing Columbus Capital's search fund.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Capital | Search Fund | Company | An investment vehicle founded by Andrea Bernardi for acquiring SMEs. |
| Andrea Bernardi | Founder and Principal | Person | The principal of Columbus Capital with experience in renewable energies. |
| Cappelli Riolo Calderaro Crisostomo Del Din & Partners | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal support in structuring the search fund and contractual documentation. |
| Alessandro Antoniozzi | Managing Associate | Person | Managing associate at Cappelli Riolo involved in Columbus Capital's project. |
| Paolo Guida | Investor | Person | One of the key investors in Columbus Capital's search fund. |
| Cabiedes Capital | Investor | Company | Institutional investor in Columbus Capital's fund. |
| Orca Equity Capital | Investor | Company | Institutional investor in the search fund. |
| Secways | Investor | Company | Part of Columbus Capital’s pool of investors. |
| Novidam | Investor | Company | An investor supporting Columbus Capital's initiatives. |
| Visconti Capital | Investor | Company | Part of the investor consortium backing the search fund. |