Private Equity In Germany

This study evaluates the value generation potential of private equity for German mid-cap companies. A discussion of the private equity industry and the analysis of the value generation levers serve as a basis to further explore private equity value generation in the German market. First, the special features of German mid-cap companies are examined with a special focus on their financing needs. Second, the German private equity market is introduced and its differentiating features are revealed. The comparison of the findings assesses the general suitability of private equity as a financing option for German mid-cap companies and suggests that many mid-cap companies are not (yet) suited for private equity investments. Finally, the applicability of the identified value generation levers on the German mid-cap segment is analyzed with the help of a conceptual framework in order to evaluate the value generation potential. The results show that the traditional value generation levers are applicable but have to be adjusted with respect to national differences. Private equity associations have to specifically address the strong social considerations in the German business culture and the traditional unity of management, ownership, and supervision in the mid-cap segment in order to realize high rates of return. Anecdotal and recent empirical evidence indicates the relevance of many theoretical conclusions.

Scientific Essay from the year 2007 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1,0, University of Hull, course: Independent Study, 27 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: This paper gives an overview of private equity. Functionality of investing firms, possible applications of private equity, and its influence on portfolio-companies is in the focus of interest. The topic is investigated by analysing the German market and describing private equity as a controversial financial instrument. Thereby also reservations are portrayed that exist in the German society as well as in the German "Mittelstand" (small and medium sized businesses). The paper concludes with presenting the author's individual view on private equity and a positive outlook on development of private equity in Germany.

Seminar paper from the year 2018 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1,3, University of applied sciences, Düsseldorf, language: English, abstract: In this work the development of the young Private Equity market in Germany is analysed in order to form the base of comprehensive understanding of the market today. In the last decades, the private equity (PE) market in Germany has witnessed waves of rise and fall. But it surpassed, by the end of 2017, all the records of German PE history. According to Deutsche Beteiligungs (DBAG), the amount of transactions in the mid-sized businesses in the German market dramatically increased and hit €4.4 billion in 2017 which was the highest during the last 15 years. But in contrast, the competition in the German market has been recently high with a steady number of companies which led to high prices and overvalued companies. PE firms target the mid-sized businesses since they are more likely to accept financial investors than bank loans or credit lines. However, this problem can now be countered with the help of PE in the context of alternative corporate financing. It should be noted that PE business has been a concern of German politics and businesses since the 1960s where the financial system was basically based on banks which is not appropriate for the development of PE industry. The government intervention was the base to build a stronger PE industry away from bank-based financial systems. Recently, the stock market segment was a key driver for the dynamic development of PE market. The price falls and the collapse of the overheated and overvalued companies were also clearly felt in the PE segment and generated a great deal over scepticism on the capital markets.

Start-ups are emerging, non-conventional enterprises that enter established markets with radically different products, displace incumbents, create new markets, and promote economic growth through innovation. Start-ups are often faced with many challenges that may threaten their survival, which can often be overcome by securing steady financial support. Start-ups are high-risk enterprises that are unattractive to conventional financiers, but absolutely suited to private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) investors who seek rewards and are therefore willing to accept risk. The success stories of global digital platform start-ups have attracted PE investors in particular. When investing in a digital platform start-up in Germany, what criteria do PE and VC investors look for? How should entrepreneurs prepare for VC funding? What strategies should they use? The authors examine these questions in this book and provide a comprehensive analysis of the German start-up, digital platform, PE, and VC ecosystems. The book exposes entrepreneurs, investors, mergers and acquisitions experts, regulators and policy-makers to the market's workings and pain points so that they can help create a German start-up ecosystem that is as functional as the other organized industries.

This study evaluates the value generation potential of private equity for German mid-cap companies. A discussion of the private equity industry and the analysis of the value generation levers serve as a basis to further explore private equity value generation in the German market. First, the special features of German mid-cap companies are examined with a special focus on their financing needs. Second, the German private equity market is introduced and its differentiating features are revealed. The comparison of the findings assesses the general suitability of private equity as a financing option for German mid-cap companies and suggests that many mid-cap companies are not (yet) suited for private equity investments. Finally, the applicability of the identified value generation levers on the German mid-cap segment is analyzed with the help of a conceptual framework in order to evaluate the value generation potential. The results show that the traditional value generation levers are applicable but have to be adjusted with respect to national differences. Private equity associations have to specifically address the strong social considerations in the German business culture and the traditional unity of management, ownership, and supervision in the mid-cap segment in order to realize high rates of return. Anecdotal and recent empirical evidence indicates the relevance of many theoretical conclusions.

Master's Thesis from the year 2023 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1,0, International School Of Management, Campus Frankfurt, language: English, abstract: The aim of the master thesis is to examine whether private equity is suitable for tokenization. After analyzing different characteristics of private equity, such as the illiquidity or mechanisms like capital calls, the master thesis concluded that the asset class is suitable. Private equity shares in the form of security tokens can help to reduce illiquidity and cashflows like the capital calls can be automated by the use of smart contracts. For the tokenization, the master thesis recommends to use existing standards, such as the Ethereum blockchain or the ERC-1400 token. Furthermore, different structures for issuing private equity tokens were elaborated. These include a structure for an indirect participation via a special purpose vehicle which issues tokens and simultaneously invests into a fund, but also a direct participation where the fund itself can issue tokens. During the description of possible structures, all relevant laws were included. These include the German Electronic Securities Act (eWpG), German Banking Act (KWG), Security Prospectus Act (WpPG), Capital Investment Act (VermAnlG), Securities Trading Act (WpHG) and the German Investment Code (KAGB). All structures were evaluated from the perspective of private equity funds, institutional investors, private investors or other relevant intermediaries. Also, benefits and challenges for the different structures and participants were discussed. The benefits include an increase in efficiency of several processes, potential cost savings, the possibility for funds to reach more investors or the possibility for investors to diversify their portfolio more. Still, these benefits could only be made use of, if major challenges are mastered by the market participants. These include an insufficient legal framework, different hurdles when implementing a secondary market, or the problem that theoretical approaches might work differently in reality.

Arnd Plagge evaluates public policy for venture capital in the USA and Germany and presents a comprehensive study of the American and the German market for venture capital. He shows that current German public policies aimed at fostering venture capital activity are severely flawed and that only a reversal of priorities, away from supply-side policies towards a demand-oriented stance, will yield real payoffs.