Empower Capital Fund Overview

Empower Capital Fund Overview Background Mission Methodology Financing Investing Team Empower Capital Co-­‐investment Fund is one of the instruments implemented under EU’s JEREMIE Program to invest EUR 15 million on a pari-­‐passu basis with private co-­‐investors in Bulgarian companies. The Empower Fund shall be fully invested by the end of 2015. For that purpose, Empower Capital has, to date, put together a deal flow of 23 projects with a potential investment size in excess of EUR 73m. As a generalist fund, Empower Capital’s mission is to provide growth capital and management expertise to late early-­‐stage and growth-­‐stage companies within different market sectors such as retail, light industry, transportation and logistics, food processing, healthcare and hospitality sectors and companies from the technology sector. Financing may not be provided to any company which falls within the following excluded sectors: illegal economic activities, tobacco and alcoholic beverages, production of and trade in weapons and ammunition, gaming, casinos, GMOs. The Manager's investment process approach includes active involvement in the strategic management of the investee companies. The Fund does not provide only funding, but also expects to have direct influence over the strategic direction of the investees and their proper financial management. The Fund provides funding in the form of both equity and quasi-­‐equity instruments on pari-­‐passu basis alongside reputable private co-­‐investors, contributing up to 50% of the new investment. The Manager seeks to invest direct equity stakes of around 10-­‐40% with total project size of around EUR 3-­‐10 million and Fund’s participation typically in the range of EUR 1-­‐3 million. In exceptional circumstances, the Empower Capital may consider investing up to EUR 5m in one single project. Due to the size of the investments and of the investee companies, as well as the current economic environment, the Fund expects that the average investee holding period shall be up to eight years. The Empower Capital aims to invest in Eligible SMEs and Mid-­‐Caps that have strong potential for leadership position within their chosen industries, substantial potential for revenue and profit growth, sustainable competitive advantages, solid financial reporting, clear and identifiable exit potential, and whose management/owners enjoy undisputed reputation for integrity. Typically, these companies shall have turnover of EUR 3-­‐25 million, an experienced management team that recognizes both growth opportunities in the market and the value added, both in funding and in management and strategy expertise that the Fund can provide. Empower Capital is led by Elvin Guri, a well-­‐known investor and entrepreneur with successful track record in financial services. The Fund has brought together a strong team of Bulgaria-­‐based professionals, investment managers with at least 15 years experience, and analysts of exceptional skills. The team has a combined experience of approximately 40 deals across several different sectors in Bulgaria, from start-­‐ups to medium size companies. Empower Capital also relies on an Advisory Committee, composed of highly respected and influential professionals who possess a wealth of experience and relationships at the highest levels in both the private and public sectors.