IPEM Survey 2023
Discover IPEM Survey 2023. IPEM | 5TH PAN-EUROPEAN PE SURVEY. Dealing in a Downturn: A “Reality Check” For Private Equity?Survey conducted with the support of 14 PE Associations
Debt set go
Not everyone enjoys buying a round. It depends how much money you have on you and how big the round is!It seems that a lot of SVB’s start-up tech clients also had trepidation over the fears of down rounds, preferring instead to opt for debt over equity; and so delay inevitable lower valuations. This helps, to some extent, explain why private market valuations remained relatively strong last year, while public market tech stocks got eviscerated as investors grew concerned over long-term growth and profitability in a rising rate environment. The consequence of SVB’s implosion will be significant, with far less venture debt leading to an inevitable slew of lower valuation down rounds, tech failures and employee layoffs. Jay Powell’s hopes to combat high inflation could come true sooner than he thinks.
Sili-gone Valley Bank
And so it ended. In the space of 24 hours, Silicon Valley Bank, the go-to bank for many US tech start-ups and VC funds, succumbed to a classic bank run as depositors scrambled to get their money out. And so it ended. In the space of 24 hours, Silicon Valley Bank, the go-to bank for many US tech start-ups and VC funds, succumbed to a classic bank run as depositors scrambled to get their money out.
Punch line (item)
Private equity can boost absolute returns when added to traditional diversified portfolios and remain a star performer among alternative asset classes.With inflation showing signs of persistence, investors will be hoping that PE funds can continue to turbo charge their overall risk-adjusted returns in the coming years. KKR’s latest white paper – Regime Change: The Role of Private Equity in the ‘Traditional’ Portfolio – outlines why the firm remains bullish in the current macro environment, in particular highlighting the importance of PE’s illiquidity premium. The report’s authors main punch line is that nimble value creation opportunities, efficacy in timing investments and exits, and company selection have been important drivers of performance. Investors will hope to remain entertained and applauding future returns as they continue to tap in to the power of PE.
Lofty ambitions
Sport as an asset class is becoming somewhat of a slam dunk with sports-focused investment firms attracting $10 billion of capital.NBA All-Star legend Carmelo Anthony is the latest high profile name, building on an already active investment career to launch Isos7 Sports Investments, a PE fund that he is co-founding with George Barrios and Michelle Wilson. More PE/VC are developing a full court press to invest in sports franchises and associated businesses. Isos7 will use Carmelo’s industry nous to seek out minority positions in teams and leagues and build on his vision of being a ‘digital athlete’. With an estimated total addressable market (TAM) of $400 billion, expect to see more high-profile athletes entering the PE world in a bid for further glory.
Green. Clean. Money Machine.
Impact investment funds are growing in prominence, with GPs keen not to miss out and feel green with envy as investors seek to make financial returns while also having a positive impact on the world.Though far from a new trend, in private equity inflows are rising in to this asset class that is estimated to be worth $1.2 trillion. With TPG raising $7.3 billion for its sixth impact fund, other prominent names are stepping in to focus on green investments, including KKR who just raised $2 billion for their second such fund. As the trend develops, there are calls among regulators to tighten up how GPs quantify the ‘impact’ of these funds and avoid greenwashing. It is not inconceivable that the industry ends up with 50 shades of green, if more impact funds come to market. How GPs define their ambitions, and measure them, will be watched closely by investors and regulators alike.
OutsTAAnding performance
TA Associates Management will be waiting for their laurel crown and gold medal following confirmation they generated the best returns for investors in 2022. This is according to the annual HEC¬-DowJones Private Equity Performance Rankings which features more than 560 large PE firms. That the tech-focused PE/VC firm are top of the charts is an impressive achievement at a time when some investors may have concerns over tech deals and valuations. But given that four of the top five performing firms this year have as much exposure to technology, media and telecommunications as any other sector, seems to suggest that there is still plenty of value to unlock. TA Associates are the leaders of the pack, and should be congratulated. But there will be plenty of other GPs looking to steal their glory and earn their own position on the winners’ podium next year.
Wheel of fortune
With $620 million in recently secured capital from the likes of KKR and Permira Holdings, the at-home cycling fitness app, Zwift, is looking to step it up a gear in 2023.With a market valuation now in excess of $1billion, Zwift is hoping to move through the peloton to the head of the race, using the investment to push towards 10 million subscribers and steal a march on its rival, Peloton. The end goal is to achieve a public listing. It goes to show that with the power of PE capital, there are still plenty of innovative companies to get behind and push them over the finish line. No doubt the Zwift team will be spraying plenty of champagne if they hit their subscription target!
Carry On Investing
One of the key messages that came out of IPEM 2023 at Cannes last week was that allocators are trying to maintain their commitments to private markets, despite concerns over higher interest rates. Rather like walking a tight rope, LPs are taking a ‘steady eddy’ approach and appear to be continuing to allocate to PE funds as diligently as ever. This is not the time to be thinking about skipping a vintage and regretting it in years to come. Disciplined deployment appears to be the name of the game, and while fundraising is expected to take longer, GPs might at least take solace in the LP mind set of “keep calm and carry on investing”.
IPEM Cannes 2023, Daily Spin 3/3 – January, 25th
IPEM Cannes 2023, Daily Spin 2/3 – January, 24th
