NBK Capital, the investment and merchant banking subsidiary of the National Bank of Kuwait (“NBK”), announced today that it has successfully completed the first closing of its NBK Capital Equity Partners Fund, a private equity fund focused on investing in companies seeking capital for expansion and/or restructuring. The Fund currently has commitments totaling USD 200 million and is in the process of raising an additional USD 100 million with an expected final closing by year-end bringing the total fund size to USD 300 million. NBK and NBK Capital are collectively committing USD 30 million to the Fund, representing 10% of total commitments.
The Fund has a focused strategy to primarily invest in companies seeking capital for expansion and/or restructuring in the GCC, Levant, Egypt, and Turkey. The Fund will invest in companies where, through active ownership, the investment team can leverage their operational and financial expertise to improve performance. This value-added approach makes the Fund the ideal partner for family-owned businesses looking to restructure and embark on new growth strategies.
In line with the investment philosophy, NBK Capital has assembled a top-notch investment team with multi-disciplinary skills and an outstanding track record. Individual team members have experience in private equity, management consulting, operations, entrepreneurship and investment banking. The investment team is supported in their efforts by the NBK Group and the Advisory Board. The NBK Group brings a vast network of relationships throughout the region and local market expertise critical to the success of private equity investments. With offices in Kuwait, Dubai, Lebanon, and Turkey, NBK Capital provides the investment team with on-the-ground access and know-how to effectively execute transactions. Complimenting the investment team and the NBK Group is the Advisory Board which consists of accomplished professionals from diverse backgrounds and geographies. The broad knowledge base and access of the Advisory Board members is invaluable in executing the Fund’s regional strategy.
NBK Capital is committed to providing investors a world class private equity fund operating under the highest international standards. “We are excited about this unique and dynamic investment vehicle and look forward to executing our strategy with this highly skilled investment team”, said Samir Assaad, co-Director. “We strongly believe the Fund is well positioned to be a value added partner to business owners and seek to build regional companies we can all be proud of” added Rana Al-Khaled, co-Director.
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About NBK Capital
NBK Capital is the investment and merchant banking subsidiary of National Bank of Kuwait. Established in July, 2005, NBK Capital specializes in investment banking with focus on providing advisory services on mergers and acquisitions as well as debt and equity capital markets. The merchant banking activities of NBK Capital is focused on investing in privately owned companies.
NBK Capital's team of 40 professionals, are strategically located in NBK Capital's offices around the GCC and Middle East which include Kuwait, Dubai International Financial Centre, UAE, Beirut, Lebanon and Istanbul, Turkey. NBK Capital was named Best Debt House in Kuwait 2006 by Euromoney.
