Waterland Private Equity

Waterland Private Equity is a prominent European investment group based in Bussum, The Netherlands, renowned for its distinctive "buy-and-build" investment strategy. The firm focuses on partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs to accelerate growth, primarily by acquiring majority stakes in medium-sized companies operating in fragmented growth markets. Waterland’s approach involves identifying platform companies and then systematically expanding them through a series of strategic add-on acquisitions, coupled with organic growth initiatives. This method aims to create larger, more dominant market leaders within their respective niches.

The firm's investment focus spans a diverse range of sectors, including healthcare, IT, business services, leisure, and sustainability, among others. Waterland distinguishes itself through its active partnership model, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance, operational expertise, and access to an extensive network. This hands-on approach is crucial for executing complex integration processes and driving value creation post-acquisition. Their track record demonstrates a consistent ability to transform regional players into national or even international champions.

Waterland has demonstrated significant capital deployment capabilities, evidenced by the successful closing of substantial funds. For instance, their ninth fund, Waterland Private Equity Fund IX, closed at an impressive €3.5 billion in 2022, underscoring their capacity for large-scale investments. The firm typically targets companies with an enterprise value ranging from €50 million to €500 million. Consequently, their initial equity investments, or "first cheques," generally fall within a broad range, from approximately €25 million for smaller platform acquisitions up to €500 million for larger, strategic buyouts, reflecting their commitment to substantial, impactful partnerships.