Private Equity is becoming increasingly important as a form of financing in the region of Austria, Central and Eastern Europe. The previous activities of Erste Group Bank AG are now concentrated in Erste Asset Management. Private Equity as a form of financing is essential for the development and growth of an economy and thus for the capital market.
Management Board Erste Private Capital GmbH: from left to right: Ralf Kunzmann, Werner Edlinger, Thomas Bobek
Photographer Stephan Huger, Copyright Erste Asset Management
“Together with Erste Group Bank, we have a deep understanding of the needs of entrepreneurs in our region, as well as of our investors. We are one of the leading asset managers in the region and want to expand our offering in this growth market with the newly established Private Equity entity.”
Heinz Bednar, CEO of Erste Asset Management
New subsidiary: Erste Private Capital GmbH
Erste Asset Management recently founded a new subsidiary, Erste Private Capital GmbH. The know-how in the field of Private Equity is bundled in this company. Private Equity refers to equity or equity-related financing in unlisted companies.
Ralf Kunzmann (51) new member of the management board of Erste Private Capital
As of October 1, 2021, aws-Gründerfonds manager Ralf Kunzmann moved to Erste Asset Management as managing director in the newly founded company Erste Private Capital GmbH. Together with Werner Edlinger and Thomas Bobek, he is responsible for the Private Equity business.
“Erste Group has proven itself as an innovation and market leader for many years, especially in establishing new business areas. With its investment in the aws Gründerfonds, Erste Group was the first bank to dedicate itself very successfully to the asset class venture capital and private equity after the financial crisis. Together, we will now establish and expand this business area even more intensively and exploit the great potential for private equity investments in Erste Group’s core markets.”
Ralf Kunzmann was Managing Director of aws Fondsmanagement GmbH and aws Gründerfonds
“I am pleased that we were able to win Ralf Kunzmann for our private equity activities. Together with Thomas Bobek and Werner Edlinger, he will ensure that we can drive this asset class forward quickly and successfully. Private equity is one of the major growth themes in our region.”
Heinz Bednar, CEO of Erste Asset Management
