We stimulate synergies
that generate long lasting value
Synergia is managed by Hellenic Capital Partners (HCP), a long-established venture capital & private equity management firm with a veteran team comprised of high caliber professionals with complementary skill sets who have been working together for more than 15 years and have established a unique track record in the field of private equity investments.
Synergia is backed by the EquiFund (www.equifund.gr) investment platform, an initiative created by the Hellenic Republic and the European Investment Fund (EIF, www.eif.org).
The fund is established as a Greek Venture Capital Closed-end Fund (VCF/AKES of Art. 7 of Law 2992/2002 Gaz) with a 10-year term and an investment period until 31/12/2023.
The Key Information Document (“KID”) of the Fund is available here.
Synergia is a generalist private equity fund with a primary focus on the food, beverage and agri-business, tourism and hospitality, environment and energy efficiency sectors.
At Synergia, we aim to achieve long-term capital gains by providing growth capital mainly to SMEs registered and headquartered in Greece. We focus on early & later stage SMEs with strong growth potential and in need of funding their expansion plans. From the first day of assessing the investment opportunity to the investment exit day, emphasis is placed on constantly supporting the SMEs not only through capital but also by leveraging the continuous support from our management team, our co-operating advisors and our extensive network.
We seek to partner closely and cooperatively with experienced management teams and entrepreneurs that can demonstrate a successful track record and have the ability and determination to grow and develop.
At Synergia, we structure each investment in a flexible, adaptable and individualized manner tailored to accommodate the specific investee needs. We adopt a disciplined, bespoke financing and investment approach which is implemented through equity, quasi-equity and hybrid instruments (such as convertible bonds with equity features, preference shares, etc.)
As a rule of thumb, we mainly target significant minority stakes of 10% to 40% with our investment ticket size typically ranging from €2m to €6m.
Our investment style is inherently exit-oriented thus the existence of a visible and realistic exit path on the basis of value creation within a specified holding horizon, is a prerequisite before proceeding with any investment.
Investment identification and selection is the most critical component of our investment approach. Our successful track record combined with our long and diverse investment experience and know-how, provides us with an edge on identifying and creating value in investment opportunities. Investments are thoroughly scrutinized and selected based on consistent investment criteria focusing mainly on growth opportunities, strong management teams and sustainable competitive advantages.
Management expertise and commitment
Product quality
International market orientation
Import substitution
Solid growth prospects
Recurring cash flow generation potential
Managed by a team with an extensive knowledge and understanding of the Greek business landscape, Synergia aims to address and support the core financing needs of the SMEs in general. We constantly seek to find bespoke solutions to tackle all problems arising and we are committed to achieving the best long-term outcome for our investors, our investee companies and their employees.
Our win-win approach and continuous motivation of all people involved is the key driver for ensuring superior performance. We roll up our sleeves and implement a “hands-on” investment approach positioning Synergia as the partner working hard together with the entrepreneur and the management of the investee companies towards the shared goal of generating long-lasting value and building stronger businesses.
We believe that commitment is the foundation for successful investing and building long-term value, contributing significantly to creating solid, long-lasting relationships grounded on mutual trust and respect. We are committed to understanding and aligning the interests of all our stakeholders since we strongly believe that this is the best possible way to create shared value.
At Synergia, our reputation is of paramount importance, therefore we follow the highest standards of business ethics in all our practices. We have a duty to all our investors, investee companies and stakeholders to constantly act in a transparent way and to apply the highest standards of integrity and corporate governance.
We pay great attention to promoting socially responsible and sustainable investing in our day-to-day operations, by raising internal awareness and providing a common set of expectations for all parties involved. We work to understand the footprint of the companies in which we invest and help them improve their efficiency, preserve their ability to do business in the future and create a positive impact on the environment, the society and the economy.
Synergia is managed by Hellenic Capital Partners (HCP) (www.hellenic-cp.com), an independent, established VC/PE management firm which combines a highly-experienced management team, with deep knowledge and know-how of the domestic VC/PE market and a superior track record.
Α dedicated and cohesive veteran team that has been working together for more than 15 years
High caliber professionals with complementary skill sets, prior experience & successful careers
First-hand knowledge & understanding of the inherent challenges of the Greek business landscape
Successful investments and divestments from corporates across different sectors, investment stages & through multiple economic cycles
A reputable and trusted partner for the investees
Superior returns to its investors since HCP’s Funds returns have been consistently outperforming peer group returns and related benchmarks
Our diverse previous experience across different sectors, investment stages and though all economic cycles has sharpened our investment approach and skills, helped us broaden our perspective and gain deep business insight as well as unique and invaluable experiences beyond those possessed by a typical VC/PE professional.
We have been working together for more than 15 years
We have managed 4 funds with c. €86m aggregate committed capital, 2 are fully liquidated achieving net IRRs in excess of 20%
We have implemented different investment strategies (i.e. generalist /sector focused, equity/quasi equity, equity minority/majority, buyouts) and a variety of successful exit strategies (i.e. IPO, trade sale, secondary sale, MBI, buyback)
We implemented successfully our investees’ Business Plans with the appropriate market driven modifications (i.e. downsizing when deemed appropriate, secured alternative financing)
We pursued investments in businesses that could be grouped (within a sector) and achieve scale, aiming at attracting international investors’ interest and enabling self-engineered type of exit
We proved our ability in successfully navigating through the rough waters of the unprecedented Greek crisis since we managed to keep investment objectives on track, safeguard the unity and the coherence of our funds and restore their positive outlook
We successfully attracted alternative financing when the bank financing window was abruptly closed in Greece, (e.g. international & domestic vendor financing)
Having also handled majority stakes through our previous funds, we have learned to assume and carry over successfully the full spectrum of operational & strategic tasks and responsibilities of the entrepreneur/business owner
Thus, having sat on both sides of the table, we fully understand the entrepreneur’s inherent considerations and challenges
We have mobilized additional funds of over €125m from other financial backers (financial institutions, co-investors, vendors etc) on behalf of our investee companies
EquiFund investment platform (https://www.espa.gr/el/pages/EquiFund.aspx) is an initiative created by cooperation between the Hellenic Republic and European Investment Fund (EIF). It is financed by the Greek ESIF Fund of Funds TAESYM under the European Union / European Regional Development Fund / Operational Programme EPANEK, the EIF and private investors, with the objective to facilitate access to finance, mainly to SMEs, by developing the Venture Capital/Private Equity (“VC/PE”) in Greece in cooperation with selected Financial Intermediaries.
Barbara is an Attorney-at-Law qualified to practice in Greece before all Courts, including Supreme Courts.
She has a long experience on a broad spectrum of legal issues relating to investment activities, including corporate and commercial law, regulatory compliance issues, commercial contracts, private equity partnerships and transactions.
Barbara holds a Magister Juris from the University of Oxford, UK and a Maîtrise en Droit from the University of Bordeaux IV, France.
Barbara is a member of the Education-Innovation-Entrepreneurship Committee of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce. She has been invited as guest speaker at the Athens University of Economic and Business (MBA program) and the University of Athens (postgraduate entrepreneurship program) on legal issues related to Venture Capital and Private Equity.
Sonia has more than 17 years of experience in the banking sector with a primary focus on corporate banking, credit risk and credit appraisal. Sonia joined HCP in 2014 as a project manager supporting all fund management operations, as well as reporting requirements regarding the JESSICA initiative.
Before joining HCP she worked as a special project manager at the CEO’s office of Laiki Bank, as manager of the business banking division in Marfin Bank and in several Greek banks as a senior credit officer.
Sonia holds a BS in Statistics and Actuarial Science from the University of Piraeus and a MA in Banking and Finance from University of Wales.
Konstantinos has more than 14 years of experience in investment banking, venture capital and private equity, M&A advisory and Equity Capital Markets.
Konstantinos joined HCP in 2010 as an Investment Manager and from 2016 he holds the position of Director. In addition, Konstantinos was responsible for the supervision of the whole JESSICA Initiative.
Before joining HCP he worked in the investment banking division of Investment Bank of Greece where he was responsible for the assessment and the evaluation of takeover targets on behalf of important clients, structured and managed M&A transactions, executed Convertible Bonds and Share Capital Increases, structured valuation models for Intangible assets and implemented Purchase Price Allocation (PPA) modelling. Prior to that he worked for Hellenic Tourist Properties S.A., a state owned real estate company.
Konstantinos holds a B.S. in Financial and Banking Management from University of Piraeus (Athens, Greece) and a M.S. in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University (MA, USA).
Konstantinos has more than 20 years of experience in financial services and the industrial sector, spanning from marketing, sales, supply management and budgeting to investment banking, corporate finance and VC/PE.
Konstantinos joined HCP in 2005, as an Investment Manager and he currently holds the position of Chief Financial Officer, being primarily responsible for the financial, administrative and risk management operations of HCP and HFIII portfolio companies.
Before joining HCP he worked as an Investment Banking Officer at the Investment Banking division of Investment Bank of Greece where he was engaged in the operations of the department on both M&A and Capital Markets projects. Before that he worked in a metal processing firm with responsibilities including budgeting reporting and restructuring of MIS.
Konstantinos holds a BA in Management and Organisational Behavior from the American College of Greece (Athens, Greece) and an MBA and a Graduate Certificate in Marketing from the Southern New Hampshire University (NH, USA).
Nikolas has more than 14 years of experience in the financial services industry concentrating in VC/PE investing, investment banking and corporate finance.
Nikolas joined HCP in February 2005, as an Investment Officer and he currently holds the position of Chief Investment Officer. Throughout his career in VC/PE management, Nikolas raised and managed VC/PE funds with total committed capital of €85m, being actively involved in all phases of Fund Management and has structured, negotiated and executed senior and subordinated debt instruments in excess of €100m.
Before joining HCP, he worked as an Investment Analyst for AVC fund while he was also engaged in the operations of the Investment Banking Department of Investment Bank of Greece. Prior to that, he worked as an analyst in the corporate finance department in one of the leading Greek brokerage firms.
Nikolas holds a BA in Accounting and Finance from the American College of Greece (Athens, Greece) and an MSc in Finance from ALBA Graduate Business School (Athens, Greece).
Spiros has 24 years of experience in the financial services industry, primarily in VC/ PE investing and equity research. Since 2004 Spiros acts as the Managing Director of HCP and during his term, HCP, has managed to raise, manage and/or advice VC/PE and debt funds in excess of €135m. He also serves as a board member in various companies, including the Hellenic Venture Capital & Private Equity association (HVCA).
Before joining HCP, he has been responsible for the development of the VC/PE operations of Marfin Group and Head of Equity Research in a leading Greek Brokerage firm. Prior to this, he worked in a US regional brokerage house as an equity research analyst.
Spiros holds a BA in Business Administration from the American College of Greece, an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University (NH, USA) and a post graduate Certificate of Advanced Study in Financial Management from Northeastern University (MA, USA).
Maria’s professional experience covers nearly forty-five years, spanning from, management, finance and marketing experience in industry to banking, corporate finance, investment banking, asset management and VC/PE investments.
In 2004 Maria acting as President of the Board of Directors (BoD), along with the rest of the team members, led the transformation of a dormant vehicle into an active VC/PE management firm.
Before joining HCP, Maria acted as Head of the Investment Banking Division of Marfin Group and as the Managing Director and Vice President of the Investment Bank of Greece. Previously, she held senior management positions in Emporiki Bank and in a major US bank.
Maria holds a Bachelor in Business from the Athens University of Economics and Business, and a post-graduate Degree in Management Studies from West England University in Bristol.