2018 was a record year in Italy for the private equity and venture capital. In all, investments nearly reached 10 billion euro (9,788 billion), the highest value ever recorded on our market and almost double compared to 2017. A total of 359 transactions, up 15% compared to the 311 of the previous year. The numbers emerge from the analysis conducted by Aifi, the Italian private equity and venture capital association, in collaboration with PwC.
In particular, in terms of investments, 2018 was characterized by some particularly important agreements concluded by large international operators in the sector of infrastructure. According to the analysis, there were 13 large and mega deals (transactions with paid equity exceeding 150 million), with international operators investing 66% in terms of amount.
Also last year, funding on the private equity and venture capital market amounted to 3,415 billion, down compared to 6,23 billion in 2017, which had been influenced by some transactions of particular significance concluded by institutional entities. If we only take into consideration the independent deposits of private entities, the amount grew to 2,738 billion, almost three times the 2017 figure (920 million).
“The funding made in 2018 saw the closing of over 25 operators, the first source were pension funds and pension funds – underlined the president of Aifi, Innocent Cipolletta – this is a signal we have been waiting for for some time and which could be a first step towards a European alignment with international investors. The social security system is in all countries the main investor in private capital funds because they give higher returns for those who can invest over a relatively longer period of time. In doing so, the social security system also invests in itself since it promotes the country's economic activity and work, which is the only source of financing for social security”.
