Ardian has committed EUR30m into F2i Second Fund, a fund operated by Italian infrastructure specialist Fondi Italiani per le Infrastrutture SGR (F2i).
The investment bolsters the relationship Ardian (formerly AXA Private Equity) has built with F2i.
F2i is an Italian operator and has a strong track record of consolidation and development across different Italian infrastructure sectors. Following the success of the inaugural fund, F2i launched the Second Fund in October 2012, raising EUR575m at first close. Subsequent commitments from Ardian and other investors have grown the fund to EUR740m.
The fund enjoys a broad investor base: credit institutions (27.03 per cent); foundations (26.35 per cent); pension funds (20.14 per cent); public institutions (13.51 per cent); investment firms (7.57 per cent); and insurance companies (5.41 per cent).
F2i has already put the Second Fund to work, investing a total of EUR309m — roughly a quarter of the fund’s target — in four Italian infrastructure companies. Those investments include stakes in SEA, TRM, SIA and Enel Rete Gas.
