Bulgarian private equity firm BlackPeak Capital has announced the first close of its second growth equity fund, BlackPeak Southeast Europe Growth Equity Fund II (BPSEEF II), at €125 million. The fund will invest in fast-growing businesses across Southeast Europe, mainly in Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia.
The fund has received support from several investors who also backed BlackPeak’s first fund. These include the European Investment Fund (EIF), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Erste Asset Management and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Ivailo Gospodinov, Managing Partner at BlackPeak Capital, says: “Five years ago we spent much of our time explaining the investment case for Southeast Europe. Today, the region remains one of the fastest growing in Europe and its success stories increasingly make that case on their own. We see a new generation of ambitious founders who have built leaders in their specific niches. What these companies lack is growth capital at the scale they need and expertise to expand internationally. BPSEEF II is specifically designed to address that gap.”
Rossen Ivanov, Managing Partner at BlackPeak Capital, adds: “With BPSEEF I, we scaled our team regionally and demonstrated that our strategy of investing in minority growth deals with a strong buy-and-build focus, both regionally and globally, delivers excellent results. With BPSEEF II, we benefit from an already strong pipeline and deep insight into sectors where we believe structural growth is ahead.”
BlackPeak Capital is a Bulgarian investment firm founded in 2014. It invests in growing businesses across Southeast and Central Europe. The firm provides funding and business support to help companies expand, improve their operations and grow in new markets.
Niklas Pichler, Managing Partner at BlackPeak Capital, says: “Our goal is to help ambitious regional businesses become international leaders. We combine growth capital with practical support in entering new markets, making acquisitions and strengthening management teams. As an active partner, we work closely with founders, supporting their vision while helping them build the capabilities needed for the next stage of growth.”
The fund will invest in companies by taking either large minority or majority ownership stakes. It will work closely with founders, providing funding, business connections and expert support to help their companies grow into leading businesses in regional and global markets.
BPSEEF II will invest in different industries, including e-commerce, healthcare, digital technology and sustainability.
