Cathay Capital Private Equity

Cathay Capital Private Equity, founded in Paris in 2006 by Mingpo Cai and Edouard Moinet, is a distinctive global investment firm renowned for its cross-border strategy. Operating across private equity, venture capital (through Cathay Innovation), and private debt, the firm specializes in facilitating international expansion for its portfolio companies. With a robust presence across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, Cathay Capital leverages its extensive network to bridge markets and foster global growth, embodying a unique East-West investment approach.

Cathay Capital's investment philosophy is centered on identifying innovative companies with significant growth potential, particularly those poised for international scaling. They primarily focus on sectors such as consumer goods, healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing. The firm's multi-stage approach allows it to invest from early-stage venture rounds through to large-cap private equity transactions, providing both capital and strategic support throughout a company's lifecycle. This comprehensive strategy aims to build global leaders by connecting diverse cultural and economic landscapes.

The firm manages a diverse set of funds tailored to different investment stages and geographies. For instance, Cathay Innovation Fund II, their venture capital arm, successfully closed at over $500 million, targeting disruptive technology companies globally. Complementing this, their private equity funds, such as the Cathay Midcap II fund, which closed at €1 billion, focus on larger, more established businesses with significant internationalization prospects. This dual focus allows Cathay Capital to engage with a wide spectrum of companies, from nascent startups to mature enterprises.

Reflecting its broad investment mandate, Cathay Capital's typical first cheque sizes vary significantly across its different investment vehicles. For its venture capital investments, particularly through Cathay Innovation, initial checks can range from approximately $1 million for early-stage opportunities up to $25 million for later-stage venture rounds. In its private equity division, first cheques are substantially larger, often falling within the range of $20 million to over $100 million, targeting established mid-cap companies. This wide range underscores Cathay Capital's capacity to engage with companies at various stages of their growth journey, from nascent startups to mature enterprises seeking global expansion.