Thomas Bouton

BPIfrance Participations PE is an active, medium-term manager which aims to support small,medium and intermediate-sized French companies with growth potential, particularly in technology-related sectors. They also invest in large companies with liquidity issues and may exceptionally consider investing directly in seed and start-up companies. The firm targets companies with strong products and significant long-term sales potential which are facing short-term balance sheet difficulties. Their key investment criteria include viability and profitability. They get actively involved in strategic decisions, encourage the R&D activity within their investee companies, and promote social and environmental responsibility. BPIfrance Participations PE invests primarily in the form of direct equity, possibly complemented with near equity, convertible debt and warrants. They typically take minority stakes and favor co-investing with public or private sector partners, including foreign investors. They consider investments across sectors within the real economy, such as technology, industrials and services. They avoid financials, real estate, retail and non-competitive activities. The firm's exit horizon and strategy are flexible and take into account the time requirements of the R&D process as well as the state of the economy.