ECS – Sociedade Gestora de Fundos de Capital de Risco was put up for sale at the beginning of the year, in an operation that came public after the company owned by António de Sousa and Fernando Esmeraldo received expressions of interest from international funds, Portuguese daily Jornal Económico reported.

The newspaper said that the proposals that have been received by ECS cover several perimeters, ranging from global purchase offers that cover all funds to partial offers, involving only some of the four active funds. The process has already attracted interest from several international funds, such as Bain Capital, Blackstone, Fortress, Cerberus and Arrow/Norfin.

According to the newspaper, the three largest ECS funds that are up for sale are worth almost €1.5 billion. The proceeds of the sale will go to the banks that own the participation units in these funds: Caixa Geral de Depósitos, BCP, Novo Banco, Santander Totta and Oitante (ex-Banif).

Original Story: Eco|Newsroom
Photo: Palácio do Governador Hotel website
Translation: Prime Yield