
3i Group
Description
3i Group is a prominent international investment manager headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with a distinguished history spanning over seven decades. Established in 1945 as Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation (ICFC), it has evolved into a global leader focused on mid-market private equity, infrastructure, and debt management. The firm is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and operates with a significant global footprint, including offices across Europe, North America, and Asia, enabling it to source and manage investments across diverse geographies and sectors.
In its private equity division, 3i targets established, growing businesses with enterprise values typically ranging from €100 million to €500 million. The firm seeks to acquire significant minority or control stakes, providing capital and strategic support to accelerate growth, drive operational improvements, and facilitate international expansion. 3i's private equity investments span various sectors, including business & technology services, consumer, healthcare, and industrial markets. For these private equity transactions, 3i typically commits equity investments ranging from €50 million to €300 million, though it retains flexibility to adjust based on specific opportunities.
Beyond private equity, 3i is a substantial investor in infrastructure, focusing on essential assets that generate stable, long-term cash flows. This includes investments in economic infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and communications, as well as social infrastructure projects. The firm's infrastructure strategy emphasizes partnerships and active asset management to enhance value over the long term. In this segment, 3i's typical equity investment size ranges from €50 million to €500 million, reflecting the larger capital requirements often associated with infrastructure development and acquisition.
As of September 30, 2023, 3i Group reported total investments and cash amounting to £18.2 billion, underscoring its substantial financial capacity and market influence. The firm's approach is characterized by a long-term perspective, deep sector expertise, and a commitment to partnering with management teams to build sustainable value. 3i's diversified investment strategies and robust capital base position it as a key player in the global private capital markets, contributing significantly to the growth and development of companies and critical infrastructure worldwide.
Investor Profile
3i Group has backed more than 307 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 82 rounds, about 27% of its total and boasts 192 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series Unknown, Series B, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, United Kingdom, France.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Manufacturing, Biotechnology.
- Led 2 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $54M – $540M.
Stage Focus
- Series Unknown (27%)
- Series B (22%)
- Series C (17%)
- Series A (13%)
- Series D (7%)
- Private Equity (7%)
- Series E (4%)
- Seed (1%)
- Series F (1%)
Country Focus
- United States (50%)
- United Kingdom (24%)
- France (8%)
- Germany (8%)
- Switzerland (2%)
- Canada (2%)
- Spain (1%)
- Ireland (1%)
- Italy (1%)
- The Netherlands (1%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Manufacturing
- Biotechnology
- Health Care
- Internet
- Information Technology
- Medical
- Wireless
- Pharmaceutical
- Enterprise Software
Frequently Asked Questions
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