3i opened its offices in Spain in 1990 in Madrid as one of the first international players. In 1992 we opened our office in Barcelona and we are still the only player in the market operating from the two main cities in the country. Since we first began to invest in Spain, we’ve provided over €1.2bn to more than 130 businesses.

As undisputable market leaders, we support companies with high growth potential and ambitious projects. We work together with management teams with a clear objective: turn their projects into facts and meet their business goals.

Drawing on highly specialised 3i Group resources, our local teams provide financial experience, sector knowledge and company management practice, together with a unique network of international contacts.

For the second consecutive year, the private equity business in Spain experienced a spectacular increase. In 2005 investment volume stood at around €4bn, allowing us to come close to the figures recorded in other European countries. In a country where growth capital was king, what really characterized the activity of 2005 was the larger scale of the buyout transactions and the high number of transactions in which companies were taken private.

In 2005 / 2006 3iSpain led 4 of the main mid-market buyouts (including La Sirena and GES), one of the largest growth capital deals (Clínica Baviera) and has successfully taken one of our portfolio companies to IPO (Renta Corporación).