Technology investor Lexar Partners, based in Laren, has successfully raised €50 million for its first investment fund. The capital is committed by entrepreneurs, family offices, and an institutional investor. Founded in 2022 by Sander van Woerden and Max van de Blaak, Lexar invests in companies whose existence is driven by innovation and digitalisation in software, technology, and e-commerce sectors.

Lexar focusses on digital transformation that positively impacts how we live, work and make decisions. These are rapidly growing organizations with solid and proven market potential, exhibiting increasing recurring revenue and profitability.

Investment Strategy

Lexar’s investment strategy focuses on organisations transitioning from venture capital to private equity. These companies move from a typically riskier phase towards long-term stability or develop towards market dominance.

“Lexar prioritises companies that contribute to a better world, create good workplaces, and respect their environment,” the investor states.

Since its founding in 2022, the Lexar team has made six investments, of which five are from the first fund. These investments span various sectors, including the digitalisation of mental healthcare, education, and the fitness industry.

Strong drop in M&A activity, although private equity remains stable

After experiencing a robust M&A market in the first half of 2023, deal volume declined significantly by 16% in Q3 2023, showing signs of a cooling down M&A market in the Netherlands.

M&A activity in the Netherlands

The volume of PE-related transactions remains relatively consistent, showcasing the strong resilience of Dutch PE firms. When examining deals in terms of deal size, it can be concluded that the share of €5m-€50m and €50m-€100m deals have remained relatively stable in Q3 2023. Looking into 2024, we believe the downfall in the number of deals is a temporary trend and anticipate a catch-up in the Netherlands. Deals shelved will be dusted off and private equity firms will catch up on exiting their investments.

Source: Oaklins