• EQT VII closes at the hard cap of EUR 6.75 billion
• Strong support for EQT’s industrial investment and ownership approach – fund significantly oversubscribed
• EQT VII marks an important milestone in EQT’s long-term growth strategy

EQT today announces that its seventh fund for private equity investments focused primarily on Northern Europe, EQT VII, has been closed at the hard cap of EUR 6.75 billion on July 31, 2015.

Interest from both existing and prospective investors was strong and the fund was significantly oversubscribed. More than 70% of the commitments to EQT VII were made by investors in prior EQT funds, confirming the strength of being an integrated alternative investment firm with a broad offering of investment strategies.

Despite the strong demand, EQT has remained committed to raising an appropriately sized fund to be deployed in line with EQT VII’s objectives of delivering value to investors, by investing in high-quality companies that develop into strong and sustainable businesses under EQT’s ownership. EQT’s proven governance model will be applied to investments, and the expertise of both the Equity investment advisory team at EQT Partners and the business and industry specialists from the EQT Industrial Network will be utilized.

“We are proud, yet humbled, by the positive reception and strong support for EQT VII among both existing and new investors. It confirms the trust investors have in EQT’s industrial approach and strategy of investing in the development of healthy, future-proof businesses in a responsible manner. The fundraise fortifies EQT’s position as a leading integrated alternative investment firm and is also an important milestone in EQT’s long-term growth strategy,” says Thomas von Koch, Managing Partner at EQT Partners.

Christian Sinding, Head of Equity at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT VII, continues: “EQT’s growth-oriented approach of investing in high-quality businesses has since inception generated impressive annual growth across the companies within the Equity investment strategy. I believe continued use of the more than 20 years of experience EQT has investing in the support and development of companies, through various business cycles, will continue to generate strong and sustainable value for both EQT’s portfolio companies and investors.”

EQT VII is backed by a global investor base including, among others, AP3, AP6, Ardian, Argentum, CNP Assurances, Danica, GIC, HarbourVest Partners, KEVA, KIRKBI Invest A/S, Ilmarinen, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, New Mexico State Investment Council, New York City Retirement Systems, Partners Group, PFA, Sampension, Signal Iduna, USS and Varma.

The fundraising for EQT VII has now closed. Accordingly, the foregoing should in no way be treated as any form of offer or solicitation to subscribe for or make any commitments for or in respect of any securities or other interests or to engage in any other transaction.

Contacts:
Christian Sinding, Head of Equity and Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT VII +41 79 266 4007
Kerstin Danasten, EQT press contact +46 8 506 55 334

About EQT
EQT is a leading private equity group in Europe, with portfolio companies across Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 17 billion and approximately 140,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

About EQT VII
EQT VII is a EUR 6.75 billion fund which will target control and co-control equity investments in companies with strong market positions, significant potential for revenue and earnings growth, strong cash flows and a solid platform that can retain and attract high-quality management. EQT VII will seek to make equity investments typically ranging between EUR 125 million and EUR 600 million. The geographical focus will primarily be Northern Europe.

For further information please visit www.eqtgroup.com