7L Capital Partners Emerging Europe

7L Capital Partners Emerging Europe (7L) is a generalist private equity fund investing in Eastern Europe. It was launched in 2006 with EBRD, IFC, ProBank, Proton Bank and 7L Equity Partners as main investors. SIFEM is one of the largest investors, committing EUR 7.0 million to the fund on behalf of SECO.

7L invests in European countries of Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria and the republics of former Yugoslavia. 7L targets the following sectors: branded goods and services, particularly in nondurable goods; communications including publishing, television and mobile phones; and technology and applications, specifically hard- and soft-ware. 7L invests EUR 3.0-10.0 million in equity and equity-related instruments into growing local companies and cross-border expansions, and has the capacity to execute buy-outs as well. Focus is on rapidly growing markets, established brands, high-margin products, and regional and western technologies and applications. Companies must apply proven business models, have expansion potential to several national markets, and show short-term prospects of significant growth in revenue and profitability. Alignment of interest is sought with strong management teams, and exits are structured after a holding period of 3-7 years.

7L is managed by 7L Capital Partners, an independent Athens-based private equity firm founded in 2003, with local teams in each target country. The 7L team has managed multiple funds in South-East Europe.