OVERVIEW: Ilima Venture Capital the private equity arm of IYDT and manages the IVC Growth Fund I, a joint venture between Mitsui Capital, which holds a 45% interest, Ilima Youth Trust, which holds a 35% interest and, Nippon Overseas Investments which holds 20%. IYT is responsible for the day-to-day management of the venture. The fund is a R250m closed end private equity fund. The fund provides value added equity capital to medium sized, well managed private businesses incorporated in South Africa. The private equity team has a track record of adding significant value to its portfolio companies, through proactive, hands-on involvement. The Fund seeks to invest between R500,000.00 and R4m per investment for a significant equity stake. The Fund focuses on youth managed black economic empowerment companies, primarily in the SME sector.

Investment Criteria of the Fund:

The primary investment criteria considers when undertaking investments include:
- a competent and experienced management team;
- a realistic purchase price;
- an established business with a profitable trading record;
- well defined industry focus;
- the potential for profitable growth;
- a realistic exit potential; and
- the ability for the IYF Growth Fund I to improve the investment's value through value added involvement.

TARGETED INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: 

The fund will consider proposals in early stage, start-up, turnaround, expansion, takeovers, management-buy-outs and management-buy-ins;

Consolidations within industries where the economics make attractive;

Divestitures of non-core subsidiaries by local conglomerates;

Equity finance can be complemented by quasi-equity and debt finance to ensure that the business is adequately financed within a deal structure that is equitable and based on the viability, cash flow and capital requirements of the business.

Buy-out opportunities arising from management teams seeking to acquire strategic equity stakes in businesses that they manage.

The team has value added consulting skills that enable it to work with portfolio company management to add value through specific operating initiatives and the development of superior strategies.

The team has had significant success in assisting portfolio companies to achieve profit and value improvement through:
- Strategic;
- Operational;
- Organisational; and
- Financial value added initiatives.

The effectiveness of this value added involvement is supported by the significant benefits received by the Fund's current portfolio companies and their subsequent increased performance, profitability and value. IYF Growth Fund I will generate a flow of high quality investment opportunities for portfolio companies through a proactive approach to deal generation and due to extensive relationships with leading members of the private and public sector.

If you have a fast growing business requiring capital and meet our investment criteria, please feel free to submit your contact details to us. To view the IYF Growth Fund I's current portfolio of investments, go to the portfolio section. 

For evaluation of your proposal, please contact:

Asuko Mitsui in South Africa or Yitzak Rosen in Bermuda

Street: 321 Middel Street, Brooklyn, 0181 :  Postal: PO Box 2827, Brooklyn Square, 0075

FUND MANAGER