Thomas Bernard

UI Investissement is a private equity investment manager focused on French small and medium-sized companies across sectors, who pays particular attention to sectors related to industry and services. The firm describes their investment approach as pragmatic and emphasizing mutual respect between the management in place and UI Investissement's team. The firm invests in companies valued between 10 and 100 million Euros, and targets expansion financing, shareholding restructuring and corporate succession situations leading to buyout transactions. They acquire minority interests when financing internal growth or acquisitions, and majority stakes in the case of LBO transactions. Investment criteria include market leadership potential, a clear competitive advantage and a growth-focused management team.

Aquiti Gestion is an active regional manager which invests in innovative technology SMEs in a range of sectors including IT, agrifood, optical/laser, healthcare, chemical, biotech, business distribution and industrial with geographic focus is on the Aquitaine region. The firm typically invests EUR 75,000-200,000 in their investee companies, acting as sole investor or co-financing with regional or national partners. They take minority stakes, partnering with management to share their experience and network without interfering in the day to day management of the business and seeks to invest in young companies with significant growth potential, less than five years of operation and an industrial prototype developed. They participate in business development transactions, aiming to help accelerate growth of healthy businesses and aim to invest in profitable companies with significant growth potential and a healthy financial situation. The firm typically exits their investments in five to seven years via share repurchase or trade sale.