h3. Business knowledge and experience with growth capital is an ideal fit for Kennet.
London, March 19, 2009 — Kennet, a leading growth equity investor in Europe and North America with funds under management in excess of $500 million, today announced the addition of Hillel Zidel to its London team.
Hillel joins Kennet from ETV Capital, a provider of debt and equity-based capital to technology and biotech companies. At Kennet he will be working with the founders and management teams of European technology companies to exploit growth opportunities, including addressing new markets and geographies, and undertaking business development activities.
“We are delighted to have Hillel join us at Kennet” said Michael Elias, Managing Director. “His business knowledge and experience with growth capital in particular is an ideal fit for us. Kennet is seeing an increasing number of investment opportunities in both Europe and the U.S., so there is a good deal for him to do here.”
Hillel Zidel added: “This is an exciting time to be making European growth equity investments. The current climate has created opportunities as well as challenges for many high-tech entrepreneurs, and the value that Kennet provides in helping its portfolio companies to capitalize on opportunities and deal with challenges is an important differentiator in a difficult economy. Kennet has a great team of investment professionals with a great track record and I very much look forward to being part of the team.”
Kennet closed its third fund, Kennet III, in June 2008 and is actively investing in technology and technology-enabled businesses. Seven investments have already been made from the fund including: Spreadshirt, the online marketplace for customized apparel; Go Internet Media, the online lead generation specialist; and Schoolwires a U.S.-based provider of communications platforms for schools and their communities.
h2. About Kennet Partners
Kennet is a leading international private equity firm that invests in growth companies in Europe and North America. Kennet supports entrepreneurial technology businesses with expansion capital to accelerate growth and build exceptional shareholder value. Kennet is an experienced investor with more than $500 million in funds under management.
For more information: www.kennet.com. Kennet Partners Limited is authorized and regulated in the U.K. by the Financial Services Authority.