Pictet Alternative Advisors closes its first direct private equity fund with 403 million

Pictet Alternative Advisors has announced the definitive closure of Pictet Private Equity Entrepreneur Capital I, its first direct investment strategy in private equity, with a size of 403 million euros. The vehicle has attracted foundations, pension funds, institutional family offices, and entrepreneurs as investor partners.

The direct investments team seeks to acquire majority stakes in family businesses or those founded by entrepreneurs with proven resilience and high growth potential. The strategy focuses on the lower-middle segment of the market in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH) and the United Kingdom, with a thematic focus on Business-to-Business subsectors, education and services, supported by long-term structural tailwinds.

To drive value creation, the team works closely with founders and management teams, prioritizing technological transformation, strengthening commercial capabilities, and organic growth. In addition, it promotes buy & build expansion strategies (acquiring a platform to integrate complementary businesses and generate scale and synergies).

Fund's first investments

Since its launch, Entrepreneur Capital I has made five investments, including:

• Pareto FM: leading provider of technical services for facility management with ESG criteria in the construction sector, focused on the United Kingdom, which is strengthening its offer through operational investments and has already completed an acquisition.
• Technology Services Group: British IT services company for SMEs integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, with significant recurring revenues and strong demand, and with high potential for organic growth and via complementary acquisitions.
• QGroup: German cybersecurity company, led by its founder, well positioned to expand its service offer, develop innovative solutions and selectively acquire complementary businesses to accelerate its geographical and portfolio expansion.
• Tretor: accounting firm based in Liestal (Basel) that drives an acquisition and development strategy to create a leading platform in accounting services for SMEs in Switzerland, combining the best of high-tech local firms with centralized resources.

The successful closing of our first direct private equity investment fund marks an important milestone for Pictet. Our approach – originating sectoral thematic transactions and close collaboration with founders, families, and management teams, should help already solid companies to transform and grow faster.

Edmund Buckley, director of direct private equity at Pictet Alternative Advisors