Press Release, 14 Octobre 2024. Profinpar.
Following the success of its first fund launched in 2017, Profinpar, a firm specialising in supporting profitable and growing SMEs in Belgium, is launching a new €50 million fund. Among the investors are well-known Belgian entrepreneurs.
Founded in 1997 as an investor club, Profinpar has been supporting SMEs for over 25 years. In 2017, its founder Pierre Robin partnered with Dimitri de Failly and Thomas Walgraffe to launch a first €38 million fund. The objective was to fill a gap in the French-speaking Belgian venture capital market: investing between €2 and €6 million in profitable and growing SMEs.
The new fund has already attracted and united high-profile entrepreneurs such as Françoise Belfroid (Ronveaux Group), Francis Blake (Imperbel), François Blondel (KitoZyme, OncoDNA), Christophe Leclercq (Newelec), Paul Portier (Portier Group), Etienne Rigo (Octa+), Thierry Quertinmont (Trafic), Serge Bassem (Ewon), Louis Amory (Maison Blavier), and Cedric Pierrard (Efficy).
A distinctive approach
What makes Profinpar unique is its combination of equity investment with the expertise of its investors, who are entrepreneurs themselves. “Our investors are entrepreneurs who share their experience and networks with our partner companies to help them grow,” says Dimitri de Failly, Profinpar Partner. “We act as active partners, by buying shares or injecting capital, and by supporting the management team at board level to help shape strategic thinking and contribute to key decisions. This allows us to bring real added value to SMEs.”
‘Rough diamond’ SMEs
Profinpar targets companies with an enterprise value between approximately €5 and €25 million, located in Belgium, Luxembourg and northern France. However, the strategic focus is on French-speaking Belgium, where private equity players are scarcer than in Flanders. “There is a real need for private investors willing to actively support SME growth in Belgium,” notes Thomas Walgraffe, Partner at Profinpar. “Business transfers are also becoming a major issue. Our offer aims to fill a real gap. Our approach is often complementary to that of public investors, with whom we gladly collaborate.”
More precisely, Profinpar looks for profitable SMEs with development potential, typically in niche or consolidating sectors. It supports their growth and structuring path, with a particular focus on ESG aspects. “Structuring is critical,” explains Dimitri de Failly. “Many SMEs struggle to grow or find successors due to weak internal organisation or overdependence on their founder. Profinpar’s role is to help strengthen these businesses, notably by investing in the professionalisation of their governance. It’s an essential prerequisite for healthy growth.”
Strong success stories
Since launch, the first Profinpar fund has invested in 10 ambitious SMEs and has now completed its investment period. Notable success stories include MiD Finance, based in Fléron, which became the national leader in personal and mortgage loan brokerage in just a few years. This impressive trajectory led to its acquisition by French group Meilleurtaux in early 2023. Another example is Nexum, based in Brabant, which Profinpar supported in consolidating the European change management consulting market. Through two acquisitions in Denmark and the UK, Nexum tripled in size and was ultimately acquired by a US-based strategic partner.
Becoming the reference private investor in French-speaking Belgium
With solid financial results from its first fund, Profinpar is now launching a new €50 million fundraising campaign. The team recently welcomed a new Partner, Rodolphe Blondiau (formerly with M&A firm Merodis), and will further expand in the coming months. Pierre Robin, founder of Profinpar, has stepped back from day-to-day operations but remains involved as a senior advisor and investor. The team of four has completed over 70 transactions in Belgium and internationally. “Our ambition is to become the leading private investor in French-speaking Belgium for financing ambitious SMEs,” say the three Partners.
A well-advanced fundraising
The fundraising is already well underway, with more than €30 million committed out of the €50 million target. Over 50 entrepreneur-investors—including many from the first fund—as well as major Belgian institutional investors (SFPIM, Wallonie Entreprendre, finance&invest.brussels, Noshaq, etc.) are backing the project. A first closing is expected before year-end, paving the way for the initial investments.
