EVCA | Central and Eastern Europe Statistics 2015 Report

The document provides annual activity statistics for the private equity and venture capital markets of Central and Eastern Europe in the years up to 2015.

The data contained in this report takes a “market approach” whereby information is compiled to show activity in a particular country, regardless of the origin or location of the private equity fund managers, to give a more accurate picture of the overall investment trends and activities in the markets of Central & Eastern Europe (CEE).

For this publication, CEE comprises Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

The significant findings from the CEE Statistics 2015 report include:

• Private equity and venture capital investment in Central and Eastern Europe last year hit its highest amount since 2009.
• The total investment amount increased 25% year-on-year to €1.6 billion, with the number of companies backed matching 2014’s record level.
• It was another strong year for private equity exit activity in the region, with a record 97 companies exiting at a total value of €1.2 billion – measured at historical investment cost – the third highest year on record. Trade sale was the most prominent exit route, accounting for over half of the divestment value at historical cost. Public market exits made a strong showing, comprising 17% of total exit value at cost.
• After 2014’s fundraising high, driven by some of the region’s largest fund managers, the capital raised last year was at a more subdued level of €418 million, as fund managers were more focused on investments and exits.
• Over 200 companies received venture capital investment, including nearly 130 start-ups.
• Buyout investments increased by a third year-on-year, reaching €1.3 billion, with 40 companies backed, mostly in the energy & environment and consumer goods & retail sectors.
• The highest investment amounts were focused on businesses in Poland, Serbia, Hungary and Romania, comprising 85% of the region’s total investment activity by value in 2015.
• 91% of companies receiving investment were based in Poland, Hungary, the Baltic States and Slovakia.

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