Corporate Vision March 2017

64 CORPORATE VISION / March 2017 , Timvan Delden speaks to us about HPE Growth Capital, its mission and how it achieves these hot on the heels of their success in achieving the Finest in FundManagement - CIOWinner – Germany award. Investing in the Future HPE Growth Capital is a pan-European private equity firm focused on technology-related companies that have high growth ambitions and to rapidly expand its business. HPE offers to those companies dedicated hands-on support in areas such as increasing international sales and distribution or building strong back-offices. HPE manages about Euro 400 million and invests Euro 10-30 million per portfolio company. Former and current investments include Kreditech, AEVI, PPRO and Cotesa. HPE is backed by institutional investors (Pension Funds, Fund of Funds, large single Family Offices) including the European Investment Fund. As a growth investor, the firm’s mission is: “Investing in tomorrow’s market leaders” and van Delden begins by telling us what it is exactly that sets HPE aside from competitors and marks it out as the best option for clients. “Our core differentiator is the combination out of a very seasoned and international team combined with a very analytical and process driven investment approach,” says van Delden. “This shines through in all areas of our firm, starting with deal and investment sourcing where we see through a very systematical methodology about 1,100 companies a year, but goes further on in our portfolio work and exit success. In the period of value creation is one of our core USPs our true global reach, here in particular to the US. We support our technology companies to successfully sell directly or via partners their products and services into the US or even building up a strong organisation there.” “HPE is a very process driven investment firm to ensure that we can replicate investment success and are not too dependent on individual judgement skills.” Recently, the firm was awarded the title of Finest in Fund Management - CIO Winner – Germany in the Investment Awards 2017. Whilst Tim van Delden is obviously delighted with such an accolade, he is quick to sing the praises of his dedicated team. “Such awards can only be won with a fantastic team in place and I am very proud of them,” he enthuses, and continues to discuss the firm’s internal culture. “At HPE we were able to create a culture of responsibility. Everyone in our firm is aware that we as a manager of third party capital have to follow strict regulatory rules, ethical standards and honourable codes. That is why HPE is ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) compliant and among other signed up to the UNPRI (Principles of Responsible Investment of the United Nations). In addition, HPE is regulated under the EuVECA label (European Venture Capital Fund Regulation).” Looking to the future, it is HPE’s ambition to invest in fast-scaling, disruptive technologies. “With that in mind we intend to build many market leading and outstanding firms in its sector,” tells Tim van Delden. “Therefore, we as a firm have growth plans, too: returning capital with an attractive yield will attract further capital and great talent which allows us to broaden our mandate by region and scale.” “Governments more and more recognize that growth focused private equity investments drive both, innovation and employment. Therefore, we currently see and are involved with various government initiatives to create capital pockets to support firms and funds like HPE Growth Capital.” 1703CV10