Relax. X-hale. Private markets have once again proved why they remain so popular, with news that Elon Musk’s X.AI has successfully raised $6 billion in funding. It is the latest technology start-up company to delay floating on the public markets via an IPO – for so long the traditional exit route but, in recent times, a less desirable option as companies choose to stay private for longer.
Impact investing continues to evolve as GPs work hard to develop effective ways to measure impact potential in their portfolios and improve the quality of reporting. This is something that LPs are increasingly focused on as they screen deals to determine the strength of the impact thesis. Returns are still a priority but investors are becoming more forensic in understanding the tangible improvements to society.
Over the last two years, IPEM has made significant strides highlighting many of the key topics and challenges facing impact funds. During the Impact Summit on Day 2 of IPEM Paris 2024, supported by Astanor, Capricorn Investment Group, Indefi and Simpl, delegates heard about what LPs are looking for in impact funds, opportunities in emerging markets, whether or not impact funds were now mainstream, and investing in education and social inclusion.
Some of the key investment themes that LPs are considering range from industrial decarbonization to food supply chain innovation – i.e. alternative protein, regenerative farming – and plastic waste.
Impact investing, private credit and private wealth (a three body opportunity!) are all set to feature at IPEM Cannes | Wealth 2025. It therefore seems fitting to share the news that Blue Earth Capital has raised $113 million for its inaugural private credit impact fund.
Okay, time for a frank admission: Franklin Templeton is opening up access to wealth investors with a new private equity secondaries fund. The global asset manager has been given the green light by the Luxembourg regulator – the CSSF – for an open-ended product which it will co-advise alongside Lexington Partners.
It’s been quite a Bainanza this week with Bain Capital completing a $9 billion fundraise for its Global Special Situations Fund II. This puts Bain Capital in the vanguard as one of the world’s largest special situations investors as it looks to provide flexible capital solutions to companies and entrepreneurs.