Coller Capital Leads Verdane's €635M Continuation Fund

Coller Capital has stepped in as the sole lead investor for a substantial €635 million continuation vehicle (CV) established by European growth buyout firm Verdane. This significant transaction provides extended investment runway and fresh capital for three key portfolio companies, prominently featuring Arrive Group, which represents the largest asset within the new fund. The CV also encompasses Talentech and Pet Media Group, underscoring Verdane's strategy of nurturing high-performing assets.

The formation of this multi-asset continuation vehicle highlights a growing trend in the private equity secondary market, where established managers like Verdane leverage such structures to offer liquidity to existing investors while retaining control and capital to drive further value creation in their most promising holdings. The market for continuation funds has seen robust activity, with managers increasingly utilizing them to manage fund lifecycles and capitalize on opportunities in sectors experiencing sustained growth.

Verdane, known for its focus on technology and disruptive businesses, has a long-standing relationship with Arrive Group, spanning over a decade. This deep familiarity, coupled with demonstrated strong returns, positions the company for continued expansion. The continuation vehicle allows Verdane to maintain its active ownership approach, providing the necessary resources to support the strategic objectives of Arrive Group, Talentech, and Pet Media Group as they navigate their next phases of development.

Bjarne Kveim Lie, Founder and Managing Partner at Verdane, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This new fund gives us the time and capital to help these businesses reach their full potential.” He emphasized that the companies, particularly Arrive Group, have already delivered significant value, and the firm remains optimistic about their future prospects. The oversubscription of the fund by high-quality institutional investors further validates the quality of Verdane's portfolio and its investment strategy.

Coller Capital's commitment as the sole lead investor underscores its expertise in the secondary market and its confidence in Verdane's management capabilities. Martin Fleischer, Partner at Coller Capital, noted, “This is exactly the kind of opportunity Coller looks to back.” He highlighted Arrive Group as a standout performer and expressed pride in leading the underwriting of the entire multi-asset portfolio, reinforcing Coller Capital's reputation for backing leading managers with their most valuable assets.

The transaction saw Lazard serve as the financial advisor to Verdane, with legal counsel provided by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Andulf Advokat. Akin Gump advised Coller Capital on legal matters. This deal signifies a strategic move for both firms, enabling Verdane to extend its value creation timeline and providing Coller Capital with exposure to a curated portfolio of high-conviction assets managed by a reputable European firm.