Weinberg Capital Partners launches WCP Eiréné Development, a new fund dedicated to small-cap LBO and growth capital in defense

Weinberg Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm in the small and mid-cap segment, announces the launch of WCP Eiréné Development, a new fund positioned in small-cap LBO and growth capital dedicated to defense and security companies.

A fund designed to meet a growing financing need

WCP Eiréné Development follows directly in the footsteps of the WCP Eiréné fund, launched in 2021, and complements Weinberg Capital Partners’ offering in the defense and security segment. With a target size of €120 million, this new vehicle aims to deploy investment tickets ranging from €5 million to €15 million. This positioning addresses a growing need among SMEs within the defense technological and industrial base (DTIB), which require significant equity financing to fund their R&D, international expansion, industrial scale-up, and generational transfers.

The fund will target primary and secondary LBO and growth capital transactions, majority or minority, with 10 to 15 targeted investments in France and Europe. It will be classified as Article 8 under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).

A clear strategy that is complementary to WCP Eiréné

WCP Eiréné Development will fully benefit from the experience accumulated and the long-term relationships built by the WCP Eiréné fund with the entire defense ecosystem, in order to support smaller companies that are strongly represented in the defense and security industry. The two funds together form a coherent and complementary offering, covering the full spectrum of financing for DTIB companies, from small-cap to mid-cap.

Drawing on their deep sector knowledge, Lionel Mestre, Partner, and David Lebain, Senior Director, will lead the fund, supported by a dedicated team for the deployment of this new vehicle.

Weinberg Capital Partners, a pioneer in defense financing

WCP Eiréné Development is the second defense and security-focused fund launched by Weinberg Capital Partners. In 2021, the firm played a pioneering role by launching WCP Eiréné, the first private equity fund dedicated to financing SMEs and mid-sized companies within the DTIB.

Following a first close in early 2023, the fund today stands at €275 million and holds four portfolio investments: Semip-Codechamp, Chesneau Serret x LGB, Magellium Artal Group, and Groupe Adit, illustrating the diversity and richness of the players that make up the French DTIB.

With this new vehicle, Weinberg Capital Partners reaffirms its position as a leading financier of French defense, committed to its consolidation, influence, and sovereignty.