History

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The development of Apax Partners

The firm’s history can be traced back to the origins of private equity in Europe and the US. Approximately 50 years ago, three of the industry’s pioneers began to collaborate on both sides of the Atlantic, with an initial focus on venture capital: Alan Patricof in New York, Sir Ronald Cohen in London and Maurice Tchénio in Paris. The UK and US firms grew ever closer, eventually combining to form one firm with a broad geographic footprint. Although the firm increasingly focused on buy-out and growth opportunities, the sector focus and growth acceleration skills formed during its early venture capital years remained very much at its core.

In the mid-2000s, the firm underwent its first generational transition with the leadership baton passed to Martin Halusa, who had previously founded the firm’s German platform. Through this process, Martin and our founders established the global partnership and succession frameworks that remain at the heart of the way the firm is governed today.

In more recent years, the firm has added synergistic strategies, subsequently launching the Apax Mid-market Israel Opportunities Fund; Apax Global Alpha, which was listed on the Main Market of the LSE in 2015; the Apax Digital Fund, the firm’s first dedicated Digital fund focused on minority and majority growth tech equity investments; the Apax Global Impact strategy, which focuses on opportunities to support companies which deliver tangible societal and/or environmental impact, and Apax Credit. 

2020s
2023

Apax Raises Apax Global Impact Fund 

c.$900m raised for AGI

2021
APAX raises second DEDICATED DIGITAL GROWTH FUND

$1.75bn raised for ADF II 

2021
Apax raises $11bn global buyout fund

Apax raises Apax X, its third global buyout fund

2010s
2017
Apax launches first dedicated Digital growth fund

Raises $1bn for Apax Digital Fund

2016
Apax raises $9bn global buyout fund

Apax raises Apax IX, its second global buyout fund

2015
Apax raises first AMI Opportunities fund

$504m raised for dedicated Israel-focused fund

2015
Apax Global Alpha lists on the LSE

AGA lists on the Main Market of the LSE under the ticker APAX

2014
Succession

Andrew Sillitoe and Mitch Truwit elected Co-CEOs, succeeding Martin Halusa, who became Chairman

2012
Apax raises $7.5bn global buy-out fund

Apax VIII, Apax's first global fund

2011
KnowledgeNow

The Operational Excellence Practice holds its first KnowledgeNow event in London

2000s
2008
Office opening in China

Shanghai office opens

2007
Apax raises c. €12bn in new funds

Apax raises Apax Europe VII, the largest ever European private equity fund alongside the US VII fund

2006
Office opening in India

Mumbai office opens

2006
Apax raises €4.3bn fund

Apax Partners raises over €4bn for Apax Europe VI

 

2005
China

Hong Kong office opens

2004
Succession

Martin Halusa elected CEO to succeed founder Sir Ronald Cohen

2002
Apax Partners LLP established

European and US operating companies merge to become Apax Partners LLP

2001
Apax raises €4.4bn European fund

Apax raises Europe V, the largest European private equity fund at the time

2000
Apax raises over a billion for US fund

Apax raises $1.1 bn for Excelsior VI

1990s
1999
First pan-European fund and Apax Israel II raised

Apax raises €1.8bn and $102.5m respectively

 

 

1994
Israel Growth Fund raised

Over $40m raised for new fund

 
1994
Office opening in Israel

Tel Aviv office opens

1990
Office opening in Germany

Munich office opens

1980s
1981
First fundraises in UK & US

The UK and US firms which later merged, laying the foundation for Apax, raised their first funds – Venture Capital Fund in Europe and Excelsior Fund in the US

1970s
1970

The first US-UK partnership firm established

1970

Initial collaboration between Alan Patricof (US), Sir Ronald Cohen (UK), and Maurice Tchénio (France).