K. Ott

GEP is an active, long-term manager which provides seed- and start-up financing, invests in expanding industries and structures management buy-outs and company takeovers. The firm seeks to invest by partnering with investee firm management and act as lead investors in diverse lines of business, targeting majority and minority shareholding positions. GEP aims to invest in companies with clear and comprehensible business projects, significant experience in their industry, business targets that correspond to theirs, already acting in worldwide expanding markets or about to enter those markets and which offer products with a competitive edge or services which are technologically different from other companies. The firm always defines the form of divestment after the required growth period in advance, typically considering an IPO to be the best alternative, but also exploring the sale of their equity stake to a strategic partner or even to other shareholders. GEP reviews realization options with the investee company and selects the best option. The final decision is taken as late as possible, so as to reduce market and default risk.

BOCE-II is an active, medium- to long-term manager which invests primarily in companies within the German language region of Europe including Austria, Switzerland, Southern Germany and Eastern Europe. Investments in Eastern Europe are planned in cooperation with local partners. Their transaction focus is on traditional buy-outs, growth financing and refinancing. They focus on mid-size industrial and trade companies, and do not invest in financial services companies, fund-of-funds or real estate. The firm targets companies with an annual turnover of EUR 30-300 million, strong management, a sustainable competitive advantage, predictable cash flows and growth potential in terms of sales and profit development. BOCE-II partners with their investee companies. Their targeted investment horizon is four to eight years, and their exit strategies include IPO and trade sale.