Blue Sky Private Equity (BSPE) specialises in providing rapidly expanding Australian companies with additional capital to help support their growth.
BSPE was founded in 2006 and currently has investments in eight companies across a broad range of industries, including retail, consumer goods, equipment hire, manufacturing, media and mining services.
BSPE raises money from private investors looking for exposure to rapidly growing private businesses. In 2010, BSPE declared the first close of the EC2010 Fund, having raised $25 million for expansion capital investments (with plans to raise an additional $25 million in 2011). BSPE is currently looking to invest this capital in successful local businesses.
What is Expansion Capital?
'Expansion Capital' is a form of private equity investment that provides businesses with additional capital to fund growth in return for an equity position in the company. It differs from other forms of private equity, such as venture capital (which invests in start-up businesses) or LBOs (which use high levels of debt to fund buy-outs of large, established businesses and drive returns).
If your business is growing rapidly but requires additional capital (for example, for capital expenditure, to fund acquisitions or for working capital), then it may benefit from partnering with BSPE.
Our investment strategy focuses on providing established, profitable businesses with capital as well as management support to promote growth. The size of our investments varies, allowing us to cater for both large and small investment amounts.
We currently have investments in a range of sectors, including retail, agribusiness, manufacturing and industrial services and have a new pipeline of projects on the way. The characteristics we look for in our investments are:
Superior business
 Market share or growth opportunity
Defensible strategic position
Strong cash flows
Track record of profitable operations
Strong management team
Exceptional, entrepreneurial owners that are committed to the business
Quality and depth of management within the business (BSPE rarely seeks management control)
Opportunities to add value where we have particular skills
Drive performance measurement and culture
Strategic introductions across our network
'Corporatise' business through improved reporting and improved corporate governance
Close involvement in sourcing and advising on M&A and exit opportunities
Corporate Governance
Willingness to adopt best practice corporate governance standards
Clear ownership and corporate structure
Exit Plan
Clear exit route such as IPO, third party acquisition (including secondary buy-outs), management buy-out or buy-back of their investment
Targeted Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 30%
Exceptional team with strong operational, financial, strategic and transactional experience
BSPE has a team of highly qualified professionals with a broad range of experience and a diverse range of backgrounds. BSPE also has a broad network of industry experts that it can access to help add value to your business.
 Click for an overview of BSPE's team
Active partner that will help expand your business
BSPE plays a hands-on role with the companies it invests in by providing ongoing strategic and operational support as well as through our Board involvement. We also have deep expertise to support our investee companies in mergers and acquisitions, sourcing or restructuring debt finance and exit planning.
Access to capital
BSPE provides growing businesses with access to capital that can be difficult to source from traditional lenders such as banks. We invest this capital to help businesses accelerate growth and maximise the value of the business ahead of a planned sale in three - five years.
Strong track record of helping companies grow
BSPE has a strong track record of helping rapidly grow the size and profitability of our investee companies, as well as helping embed the corporate disciplines that are necessary in larger businesses.
Click for an overview of BSPE's investments
Shared hunger for success
Having rapidly grown our own business since 2006, we understand the challenges and pressures faced by entrepreneurs. We too are hungry for success, both at BSPE and in the companies we invest in.
Backing of a strong, diverse funds management company
BSPE is part of Blue Sky Alternative Investments Limited, an investment firm established in 2006. Blue Sky Alternative Investments is Australia's only dedicated alternative asset manager, with funds covering private equity, real estate, infrastructure (water) as well as a hedge fund.
For further information, please contact:
Blue Sky Private Equity
Telephone: +61 (0) 7 3270 7500
|
