Berk Partners Groeifonds

About Berk Partners Groeifonds

Berk Partners Groeifonds invests in existing, fast-growing Dutch SME companies, mainly in the following industries: innovative manufacturing industry, food processing industry and suppliers to the healthcare industry.

History
Berk Partners Groeifonds (BPGF) was founded on 6 April 2018. It is the fifth fund in a series set up by Berk Capital Management. Berk Partners originates from Berk Holding, the private investment company founded in 1974 by Ben Pon, known for the Pon Holdings family business – importer in the Netherlands of car brands such as Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche. Berk Holding was transformed into an investment company in 1990. One of its areas of investment was private equity, providing risk-bearing capital to non-listed companies.

As third parties – (former) entrepreneurs and high net-worth individuals – also started showing an interest, Berk Partners was founded in 1992. Twenty entrepreneurs and former entrepreneurs participated in this fund. This was followed by the founding of Berk Partners II in 1998, Berk Partners III in 2003 and Berk Partners IV in 2010. Since 2004, Berk Partners has been an independent investment company.

Berk Partners Groeifonds | Present
The BPGF fund capital totalled over €23 million at the start. It now (mid 2019) stands at €50 million. BPGF focuses on fast-growing existing SME companies with a turnover of €5 million to €20 million in the following industries:

• innovative manufacturing industry
• food processing industry
• suppliers to the healthcare industry

The fund focuses on:

• MBI/MBO
• Business succession
• Carve-out
• Growth capital
• Pre-exit

BPGF actively supports management and takes both majority and minority interests. The investment range is between €2 million and €5 million per participating interest, with an exit horizon of 4 to 6 years. The target internal rate of return (IRR) is > 20%. The fund invests throughout the Netherlands.

Investeringsfonds Groningen participates in Berk Partners Groeifonds as it believes that it adds an important link to the Northern Netherlands world of financing. Collaboration with the experienced fund management leads to the establishment of national networks and contacts and brings extra capital to the region. This will form a positive contribution to the Groningen economy, both socially and financially.