Mid Europa to raise new fund

Mid Europa Partners, the leading private equity house investing in Central and Eastern Europe, is preparing to raise a new fund estimated at around ¤1.5bn (£1.3bn).

The buyout house, run by managing partner Thierry Baudon from London, is considering raising its fourth fund, as the third has largely been spent. The exact amount has not yet been set, but it is thought that it will be similar amount to the ¤1.5bn raised last time around, in 2007.

Mid Europa is comfortably the biggest private equity player in the region. It focuses on new European Union member states and those looking to join the bloc.

The group focuses on nine industries, including manufacturing and healthcare. Mid Europa's current investments include Slovenian cable television business Telemach and Energy 21, a Czech Republic-based solar power technology operator and developer.

Mid Europa was formed in 2005 and is the successor company to EMP Europe, which was launched in 1999.