European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA), the trade body representing Europe’s private equity, venture capital and infrastructure sectors, rebranded today to Invest Europe.
Invest Europe initially began as a trade body for the European venture capital industry before expanding to cover private equity and infrastructure investment, as well as investors such as pension funds and insurance firms. The name change will reflect that greater scope.
Dörte Höppner, Invest Europ’s CEO, said: “This marks an important milestone for our organisation. As Invest Europe, we will be better placed to articulate how vital Europe’s private capital investors are to the economy and to support policymakers in developing solutions to Europe’s growth challenge.
“Venture capital, private equity and infrastructure are not only essential providers of investment to growing companies; they also provide guidance and expertise, helping [small and medium-sized enterprises] to become global champions, including Skype, LateRooms, Moleskine and Tommy Hilfiger.
“Crucially, we also represent the long-term investors from pension funds, insurance companies and other global institutions backing Europe’s private capital sector, to the tune of €40bn ($44.6bn) a year.”