While public markets in Switzerland are solid - they are small compared to the United States and the European Union. Private equity, on the other hand, makes up for this quite nicely.

Names like Partners Group (127 billion euros), LGT Capital Partners and EQT Partners may gather a lot of headlines - and AuM. But beyond the top firms, there are others who are take an active role in supporting emerging industries - and some older ones too.

Here are 6 Swiss private equity firms that are lesser known to the general public.

Evoco

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Europe, Evoco has committed more than EUR 300m of capital across three consecutive funds. The firm focuses on investing in resilient lower mid-market companies with potential, aiming to transform them into market leaders.

Evoco's portfolio includes companies such as Movingimage, Communi5 and DocumentOne. Felix Ackermann and Michel Galeazzi are founding partners of Evoco.

Quadia

Based in Geneva, Quadia is a pioneer in impact investing and with a focus on positive social and environmental impact. It was founded in 2010 by Guillaume Taylor and Eric Archambeau. Daniel von Moltke currently serves as managing partner.

Some of Quadia’s investments include: Hudi, Gelato Club and Nous Anti-Gaspi in the sustainable food space, CETIH, K-Ryole and Dott in the clearn energy sector as well as Asphalte, Fairphone and ISE in the sustainable consumption and production area.

RIVE Private Investment

RIVE Private Investment, created in 2013, is an independent specialist investment company with a pan-European footprint, focusing on energy transition (400 million euros allocated) and transportation (600 million euros under management). Etienne Mouthon and Yann Thomas lead RIVE as managing partners.

The firm invests across the entire energy value chain and in transport assets that contribute to decarbonization, having built up a platform of over 600 specialized assets in some twenty OECD countries. RIVE's team of experts are based in Paris, Geneva, and Luxembourg.

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EGS Beteiligungen

EGS Beteiligungen AG is the investment arm of the Ernst Göhner Foundation, focusing on Swiss companies ranging from late-stage startups to listed enterprises.

The firm's investment philosophy centers on long-term capital preservation and generating returns for the foundation's engagements, adhering to ethical principles and partnership-oriented thinking. EGS is led by Dr. Franz Studer, Christian Pfad and David Kurmann. Some of the fund’s portfolio includes Serto AG, SpineArt SA and Seaking AG.

In April 2024, EGS announced its latest investment, leading the Series C for Bcomp with a $40 million stake.

Kharis Capital

Kharis Capital is a private equity firm that drives growth and innovation in consumer businesses through long-term direct investment partnerships.

The firm adopts a "Private Equity 2.0" approach, allowing investors to connect directly with brands while providing companies with long-term support and capital.

Kharis Capital's team, including Daniel Grossmann and Manuel Roumain (Co-founders and Managing Partners) and Eric Melloul (Managing Partner) boasts decades of private equity experience and deep family connections.

Kharis Capital has stakes in Rigoni di Asiago, Botsync, Pomelo. and Valtech among others.

Helvetica Capital

Helvetica Capital, founded in August 2015, is an independent, entrepreneurial investor focusing on companies in Switzerland and neighboring regions with more than 1 billion CHF in investments and more than 20 exits.

The firm emerged from the spin-out of the team behind Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. and has built up, managed, and developed an attractive portfolio of direct investments in Swiss companies from 2010 to 2023. The firm is led by Philipp Berner, Christian Fuessinger,

Helvetica Capital aims to support companies in achieving sustainable long-term growth through active strategic and operational development, leveraging expertise from their network.

6 Lesser-Known Private Equity Firms in Switzerland