In order to increase its support of young companies, Crédit Agricole Private Equity has signed partnership agreements with three seed capital professionals selected for their skill and their strategic fit in terms of sectors and regions:
       – Soridec, regional investment fund (Languedoc Roussillon);
       – BioGeneration Ventures, Dutch investment fund specialising in life sciences seed capital;
       – Objectif Gazelles, seed capital fund managed by business angels.

These partnerships will enable Crédit Agricole Private Equity to widen its base of investment opportunities by acquiring stakes in innovative young companies alongside well known specialists. These companies will therefore be able to benefit from greater financing capacity and support in their strategic development.

The first deal has already been carried out alongside BioGeneration Ventures with the acquisition of a stake in Flexgen, a Dutch company specialising in the development of innovative genome research tools. A number of other investment projects are currently being finalised.

These joint investment deals complement the direct investments made by the Venture Capital team and reflect the spirit of the French TEPA law on work, employment and purchasing power, with the main aim of supporting the financing of innovative young companies.

Crédit Agricole Private Equity has already invested €14 million in companies at the seed capital stage such as Flexgen, MonShowroom, Bizanga, SuperSonic Imagine, EyeTechCare and Keldelice. Thanks to its two-fold approach based on direct investments and joint investments, Crédit Agricole Private Equity can make the best investment choices for the benefit of its subscribers.

With €375 million under management in Venture Capital, Crédit Agricole Private Equity is a key player in France in SME financing and seed capital in the information technology and life sciences sectors.

Contacts
Antoine Colboc, Head of Venture Capital
Dr Philippe Guinot, Senior Partner, Head of the Seed Capital Committee

Press contact
Martine Sessin-Caracci, martine.sessincaracci@ca-privateequity.fr – 01 43 23 90 88

About Crédit Agricole Private Equity
Crédit Agricole Private Equity, an AMF-authorised investment management company and whollyowned subsidiary of Crédit Agricole S.A., specialises in direct private equity investment in unlisted companies. A multi-specialist, Crédit Agricole Private Equity has 50 investment teams focusing on different segments of the private equity market (LBO & Expansion, Venture Capital, Mezzanine, Renewable Energy, PPP Infrastructure, Liquidity Solutions, Co-Investment) and manages a total of €2.8 billion in various types of private equity vehicle (FCPR, SICAR, FCPI and SCR). Crédit Agricole Private Equity supports entrepreneurs in their expansion plans.
www-rec.omnescapital.com