LEUVEN MINDGATE

CAPRICORN & NEO GROUP JOIN FORCES TO BECOME SIGNIFICANT PLAYER IN EUROPEAN VENTURE CAPITAL


Capricorn Venture Fund II to focus on Technology in the broadest sense

Leuven, May 8th 2001.
Capricorn Venture Partners today announced it is starting to raise in excess of ?100M for its Capricorn Venture Fund II, primarily targeting Belgian and international institutional investors. The new venture capital fund will make investments on a pan-European basis in growth companies active in information technology, the medical and health care sector, as well as new materials.
The difficulties entrepreneurs are currently facing in financing their start-up or growth ambitions form a strong indication that Capricorn II will be able to select from a wide range of projects. Says Jos B. Peeters, Managing Director of Capricorn Ventures: '2001 promises to be a grand cru year for VC funds focusing on technology. What we are experiencing today is a great opportunity for investors.'

In this context, Capricorn Venture Partners n.v. and Neo Group Ventures c.v.b.a., both based in Leuven (Belgium), announced that they reached an agreement under which Neo Group Ventures will transfer its VC investment management activity in early-stage technology companies to Capricorn Venture Partners and will start to offer its fee-based executive consultancy services to Capricorn, on a preferential basis, to start-up or early-stage technology companies, and to other players active in private equity investment.

'We are creating a strong player in European venture capital that will be more valuable than the sum of the two parts', said Jos B. Peeters, Managing Director of Capricorn Ventures n.v. 'The alliance with Neo Group will allow Capricorn to catch the new wave in VC investment, where success will be predicated on a VC's ability to offer extensive operational and executive coaching services to young growth companies and their management teams.'

'Neo Group's investment style has been one of pro-active coaching and co-managing. Very often, our proven entrepreneurial background and experience has made us an attractive investor for younger, less experienced entrepreneurs', said Lieven Jaspaert, CEO of Neo Group Ventures c.v.b.a. 'The association with Capricorn allows Neo Group to accelerate the development work we are doing with starting entrepreneurs, while relying on Capricorn's expertise in venture capital management and finance. This synergy will provide us with a broader and wider platform from which to reach bigger and better investment opportunities across Europe.'

Capricorn Venture Partners n.v. was established in 1993 and currently has advisory agreements with Capricorn Venture Fund n.v. and Baring Capricorn Ventures Ltd. Combined, these funds hold stakes in a number of growth companies, active in areas such as ICT and life sciences. Capricorn Venture Partners has an excellent network in the corporate and institutional finance worlds, and has significant experience and expertise in venture capital management and finance.

Neo Group Ventures c.v.b.a. and Neo Group Participations Comm.V.A. were created in 2000 by a group of nine experienced technology entrepreneurs to assist early stage technology companies with both experienced executive counselling and seed capital investment. In its first half year of existence, Neo Group screened over 100 projects and invested in 3 early stage ventures.

(08/05/01)


More information:




Dr. Jos B. Peeters
Capricorn Venture Partners n.v.
+32 (0)16 293828
capricorn@capricorn.be

www.capricorn.be
Mr. Geert DeBecker
Neo Group Partners c.v.b.a
+32 (0)16 284115
geert@neogroup.be

www.neogroup.be

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