N&Q: Family office deals; private equity and family offices

Family offices drive private equity investing in Europe

Family offices and private individuals were among the biggest investors in private equity in Europe last year, according to Invest Europe, against a background of a very buoyant private equity market. Family offices and private individuals provided 15% of the €71.7.6 billion in private equity investment in 2017, the third highest contribution after pension funds and fund of funds. In total, private equity investment in European companies hit a ten-year high in 2017, representing a 29% year-on-year increase, according to Invest Europe. Almost 7,000 companies received investment, of which 87% were small and medium-sized enterprises.

Family office deals

Smedvig Capital, the investment group of a Norwegian shipping family, has invested in an e-commerce startup called Poq. Smedvig was one of three investors in a Series B funding round worth £9.5 million for the UK-based startup.

Small Giants, an Australian family investment group, has invested in a Chilean waste management group called Triciclos. Melbourne-based Small Giants participated in a venture round worth $2.6 million with four other investors.