Risk Capital - Private Equity : Fundraising a Swedish Buyout Fund

The private equity industry has had a fluctuating history. In the years between 2003 and 2007 the private equity industry expanded tremendously, yet in 2008 a financial turmoil caused significant deviation in the activity of the industry. During the credit crunch the liquidity in the market decreased affecting the sources of capital available. When several firms compete about the capital available, fundraising becomes increasingly difficult and competition intensifies. Sweden is one of the largest private equity markets in Europe and has among the Nordic countries been able to raise the largest amount of funds. The purpose of this study is to examine the fundraising process implemented by private equity firms, nevertheless the relationship that emerges between the fund manager and the investor. The authors’ objective is to provide an adequate interpretation of the private equity industry in Sweden. The authors have implemented a qualitative method, as the objective has been to obtain a profound picture of how private equity firms manage their fundraising. The abductive approach has been used in order to collect empirical data and semi-structured interviews have been carried out with representatives from four private equity firms. In addition, a smaller survey has been performed with two institutional investors to add to the objectivity. Subsequently, the empirical data has been analysed in regards to theory and compared in relation to the sources to end up in a conclusion. The authors have through the study concluded that private equity firms in Sweden with a focus in buyouts not have a common fundraising model. Private equity funds are selective in their choice of investors and prefer professional, loyal investors with a long-term perspective and strong capital base. It has from the analysis emerged that good reputation, history, team and experience is valuable in fundraising. Firms that are successful in their operations and management appeal to investors. The investors are typically institutionalised and invest in different asset classes, hence the diversification is mainly in the hands of the investor.