KeBeK is an independent private equity firm that invests in SMEs in the Benelux. We partner with entrepreneurs, families, and management teams to help companies grow to their next stage.
KeBeK Private Equity was founded in 2012 by 4 Partners who joined forces after their time at KBC Private Equity, the private equity division of the KBC Group.
We invest in healthy small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to grow to their next phase. Companies are based in the Benelux, often active in attractive niche segments, and have significant potential for value enhancement.
KeBeK focuses on partnerships with families and entrepreneurs in “primary” deals. Next to supporting companies as a hands-on financial partner, transactions with KeBeK are often a solution for transition of capital and management, and an attractive alternative to keep independence.
4
funds
30+
portfolio company
investments
30+
add-on
acquisitions
20+
years of team
collaboration
Why KeBeK
KeBeK supports families, entrepreneurs and management teams, to grow their companies to the next phase of development. We strongly believe in partnerships and therefore invest primarily through so-called “primary” deals. ~90% of our portfolio companies are deals where historical shareholders reinvested alongside KeBeK in a new partnership. In addition, transactions with KeBeK are often a solution for transition of capital and management.
KeBeK is backed by a broad investor base, consisting of Belgian, Dutch and international institutional investors, family offices and wealthy individuals being mainly entrepreneurs, that invested in 4 KeBeK funds since 2012.
Our strategy is focused on investing in profitable companies with sustainable business models and defendable market positions. SMEs (€1.5-10m EBITDA) are based in Belgium and The Netherlands, active across different sectors but often in attractive niche segments of proven industries, and have significant potential for value enhancement.
KeBeK invests equity tickets of typically €3–10m per investment, via majority or control positions with influence on the strategy, management and future exit. Transactions are mainly buyouts in different forms (LBO, OBO, MBO, MBI), but also growth equity, and have an investment horizon of around 5-7 years.
Every deal is approached with an entrepreneurial mind-set, and a no-nonsense, fair and sustainable approach. KeBeK also adopted a responsible investor approach including ESG criteria in its investment process and the monitoring of its investments.
When supporting companies and management teams, we focus on value creation strategies combining (i) organic growth, (ii) reinforcement of organizations, processes and systems, and (iii) external growth through acquisitions (buy-and-build). KeBeK then acts as sounding board and supports in specific areas. Management in the “driving seat” is fully aligned with shareholders.
KeBeK’s team comprises 5 complementary professionals, of which 4 Partners working together for 20+ years since their time at KBC Private Equity, the private equity division of the KBC Group. They have a unique story in Benelux SMEs private equity, investments, funds and value cration strategies.
With around 30 portfolio investments executed and over 30 add-ons realised since 2012, KeBeK has a demonstrated track-record of investing and creating (operational) value for its portfolio companies.