About us

Private equity fund manager investing in small- and mid-size Italian companies since 2000

Wise Equity, headquarted in Milan, is an independent fund management company founded in 2000. We are a team of professionals with deep experience gained from consultancy, investment banking and industry

We invest in Italian Excellence, targeting export-oriented leaders in specific market niches with compelling industrial plans and/or a need to develop a professional management structure

We like to co-invest with entrepreneurs and management, accompanying them in tackling daily challenges and sharing the burdens and benefits

Our investment strategy focuses on the growth of a business and its strategic relevance , with a conservative approach to financial leverage, aimed at further supporting organic development plans and acquisitions

We are strong believers in strategic business combinations (locally and internationally) and sector consolidation to further strengthen our portfolio companies and increase their competitiveness on an increasingly global scale

We are among Italy’s first signatories to the Principles for Responsible Investment declaration and we aim to increase awareness of Sustainability in every company in which we invest. At Wise Equity, Ethics comes first

SUSTAINABILITY

AT A GLANCE

> 25 years

of experience investing in Italian private equity

~ 950 M

Euro invested

20 / 150 M

Euro in sales for direct investment targets

direct investments

~ 2,5 add-on

acquisitions on average for each direct investment

disinvestments

HISTORY

2000

Founding of the
Management Company

Wisequity I fund
launched (2001)

100M€ committed
Fully disinvested

2006

Wisequity II fund
launched

170M€ committed
Fully disinvested

2011

Wisequity III fund
launched

181,5M€ committed
Fully disinvested

2016

Wisequity IV fund
launched

215M€ committed,
with 8 investments of
which 7 divested
(including one
partially)

2019

Wisequity V fund
launched

260M€ committed,
with 8 investments of
which 2 divested
(including one
partially)

2023

Wisequity VI fund
launched

400M€ committed

Investors:
61% international institutions
28% italian institutions
11% Wise Equity team
& other people

AWARDS

Voted Best Italian Private Equity Firm in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017 & 2015 at Private Equity Exchange and Awards (Paris)
Winner of the Dematté Private Equity of the Year Award in the Buy Out category for Tapì (2023) and Kiian (2016) transactions

2025

Private Equity Exchange & Awards

Best Italian LBO Fund, Gold Award

2024

Private Equity Exchange & Awards

Best Italian LBO Fund, Gold Award

2023

Private Equity Exchange & Awards

Best Italian LBO Fund, Gold Award

Premio Demattè Private Equity of the Year

Deal of the year in the Buyout category

DIVESTED 2022

Global leader in T-cap closures for foods and alcoholic beverages in the premium and luxury markets. Since its acquisition by Wise Equity, the company has completed 3 acquisitions in France (key competitor), Germany and Argentina and built a new Mexican plant.

https://www.tapi.com

2022

Private Equity Exchange & Awards

Best Italian LBO Fund, Gold Award

2021

Private Equity Exchange & Awards

Best Italian LBO Fund, Gold Award

2020

Private Equity Exchange & Awards

Best Italian LBO Fund, Gold Award

2019

Private Equity Exchange & Awards

Best Italian LBO Fund, Gold Award

2017

Private Equity Exchange & Awards

Best Italian LBO Fund, Gold Award

2016

Premio Demattè Private Equity of the Year

Deal of the year in the Buyout category

DISVESTED 2015

World leader in specialty industrial and textile inks. Under Wise Equity ownership, Kiian refocused on digital inks, opened new plants (USA and Italy) and completed three acquisitions (USA, Switzerland and Italy).

https://www.kiiandigital.com

2015

Private Equity Exchange & Awards

Best Italian LBO Fund, Gold Award