First closing of CHF 65 million for Renaissance Technologies 4

Swiss pension funds have already invested more than CHF 65 million in the 4th investment group of the Foundation Renaissance PME. The time-limit for subscribing to this investment group will end on June 30, 2014 with a target set at CHF 100 million.

Public and private pension fund institutions have participated in this first capital raising operation. “The fact that the pension fund institutions already invested in the previous investment groups are providing 85% of this first capital raising operation demonstrates the strong, long-term support from the current investors of the Foundation Renaissance PME,” emphasized Daniel Liechti, President of the Foundation.

The Foundation Renaissance PME is reserved exclusively for Swiss pension fund institutions. It is dedicated to the equity financing of privately-held Swiss SMEs in the high-added-value industrial and technological sectors. Since it was established in 1997, Renaissance PME has already invested in more than 30 SMEs in Switzerland including Sensimed, Anergis and Symetis.

“Many of these Swiss SMEs have demonstrated sound know-how in their ability to build leading positions at the international level in niche and innovative markets”, stressed Jean Rémy Roulet, Director and administrator of the Caisse Paritaire de Prévoyance de l’Industrie et de la Construction (Joint pension fund for industry and construction, CPPIC) and a member of the Board of Renaissance PME.

“The Foundation Renaissance PME offers Swiss pension fund institutions the opportunity to invest in unlisted Swiss companies and aims to earn an annual rate of return higher than the Swiss listed equity market. Due to the very nature of its activity, the Foundation helps to support and preserve Switzerland’s entrepreneurial fabric,” pointed out Johnny Perera, Director of the Services division at Retraites Populaires and a Board member of Renaissance PME.

The investment programme of Renaissance PME managed by Vinci Capital enables Swiss pension institutions to make diversified and balanced investments in Swiss SMEs. The investments of Renaissance PME are targeted mainly at family successions and industrial takeovers and are made in a diverse range of sectors such as industry, health, information technology, education and energy. Portfolio companies include Sensimed, Anergis and Symetis.