growing values 2006 argentum annual report 2006
key financials Key financials (NOK millions) 2006 2005 Net profit PE investments 326,20 445,75 EBIT 305,89 427,55 Net profit 385,91 452,19 Market value of PE-investments 1 350,80 826,30 Total equity 3 332,67 3 076,75 IRR PE-investments p.a. since inception 35,60% 32,80%
your professional PARTNER Operating as a pure fund-of-funds, Argentum is one of the leading private equity investors in the Nordic countries. The company is established as a reliable and proficient partner for international investors seeking to explore promising investment opportunities in Norway and the Nordic countries. Report of the board of directors The Nordic countries have displayed a notable aptitude over time for developing technology-based industrial enterprises which achieve international prosperity. As a region, the Nordic countries (which include Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland) represent the world s 9th largest economy. This is also one of the global regions with the highest proportion of international commerce. The Nordic people has the highest level of education worldwide, and also leads the way in the use of new technology. Norway and the Nordic countries represent promising investment potential within a number of areas. Argentum invests in Nordic private equity funds in collaboration with international investors, aiming to generate returns among the upper quartile in Europe. about Argentum > Owner: The Norwegian government > Established: 2001 > Size: EUR 400 m > Sectors: generalist > Phase: from early venture to buyout > Size of fund invested in: minimum EUR 40 about the Nordic countries > Population: 24,1 million > Total GDP: $ 1 025 bn > GDP/Per head: $ 42 500 > All countries rank among top 8 on adoption of IT and telecommunication > All countries rank among top 13 on The Economist s Innovation Index
our portfolio The Argentum Portfolio as at 31.12.06 Fund Headquarter Sector Phase Currency Fund size Argentum (mill.) ownership Teknoinvest VIII Ks oslo ict, ls venture eur 60,4 32,11% HitecVision Private Equity III AS Stavanger Energy Buyout/venture NOK 690,0 29,13% Northzone IV K/s oslo ict venture eur 78,3 25,05% Energy Ventures is stavanger Energy venture nok 313,8 22,09% CapMan Equity VII A L.P. Helsinki ICT, Generalist Buyout/venture EUR 303,3 22,11% Sector Speculare as oslo nok 148,5 10,00% Convexa Capital IV as oslo ict, Energy Venture nok 106,0 16,34% Viking Venture II AS Trondheim ICT, Energy, LS Venture nok 360,0 13,75% Norvestor IV LP oslo generalist Buyout eur 156,8 14,20% NeoMed Innovation IV LP oslo ls venture eur 103,6 11,46% FSN Capital Limited Partnership II Oslo generalist Buyout eur 151,2 11,46% Energy Ventures II Ks stavanger Energy venture nok 588,8 20,18% Verdane Capital V B K/s oslo ict, Generalist Venture sek 1 047,1 28,29% CapMan Buyout VIII Fund A L.P. Helsinki Generalist Buyout eur 360,1 9,62% HitecVision Private Equity IV LP Stavanger Energy Buyout usd 300,0 20,13% Eqvitec Technology Fund III K/S Helsinki ICT venture eur 140,9 14,05% Axcel III K/S 2 copenhagen Generalist Buyout DKK 3 016,4 4,22% Northzone V K/s oslo ict venture eur 175,0 11,31% EQT v stockholm Generalist Buyout eur 4 096,1 0,60% Borea Opportunity II AS Bergen Generalist Buyout nok 1 135,2 9,59% Verdane Capital VI K/s oslo generalist Venture sek 816,2 14,56% SECTORS BY COMMITED CAPITAL 50 40 30 20 10 PHASES BY COMMITED CAPITAL 60 50 40 30 20 10 GEOGRAPHY BY ESTIMATED MARKET VALUES 50 40 30 20 10 % ICT ENERGY LIFE SCIENCE GENERALIST % EARLY VENTURE LATE VENTURE BUYOUT % NORWAY NORDIC ex Norway NORTH-AMERICA EUROPE
Our team has long and extensive experience within the private equity sector both in Norway and internationally. Argentum s organisation offers a wide range of professional skills. In addition to private equity, our team has background from consulting, research, auditing and investment banking. Common for all is that they come from environments where performance, capacity and efficiency are key parameters. THE ARGENTUM TEAM Each and every one is handpicked to cover specific areas of expertise, making Argentum an organisation that possesses both the knowledge and the commitment required to rank among the best in Europe.
creating learning integrity Our most important choices Skilled fund managers are Argentum s most important resource in attaining its objectives. Argentum has therefore developed a thorough method for evaluating private equity funds. The process starts with a screening phase, in which private equity funds are evaluated against Argentum s investment strategy, existing portfolio and other funds in the same sector. Then a detailed evaluation is undertaken, that involves assessing the fund s management, investment strategy, financial results, formal set-up and agreements. After the investment has been made, Argentum participates by following up the investment all the way through the fund s lifetime. Funds interested in working with Argentum as an investor are invited to make contact as early as possible in the fund raising process.
NORDIC PRIVATE EQUITY 2006 (M EUR) Capital under management Buyout Venture Norway 1 446 3 186 Sweden 21 273 4 931 Number of investments Buyout Venture Norway 17 141 Sweden 95 668 Number of funds buyout Venture Norway 13 73 Sweden 39 99 Fundraising - 2006 buyout Venture Norway 900 571 Sweden (est.) 7882 593 SOURCE: Argentum, NVCA, SVCA
Creating growth and ideas through capital and knowledge Design: Dinamo Red. > Photos: Hans Fredrik Asbjørnsen Argentum Fondsinvesteringer as Bradbenken 1 Postboks 3964 Dreggen 5835 Bergen, Norway Telefon: + 47 55 54 70 00 Telefax: + 47 55 54 70 01 Oslo office: Bygdøy Allé 2 0257 Oslo, Norway www.argentum.no