Clessidra Private Equity, the private equity arm of Clessidra Group and one of the leading alternative investment players in Italy, has announced that its Clessidra Capital Partners Green Harvest fund has exceeded its fundraising target ahead of schedule, bringing total commitments to more than €150 million. The fund, a closed-end alternative investment vehicle focused on the Italian agrifood sector, launched last July and completed its second closing early, with the full fundraise targeted for completion by the end of 2026.
The fundraising attracted leading institutional investors, including the European Investment Fund, part of the EIB Group, and Fondo Italiano d’Investimento, alongside the group’s longstanding investors. The fund is classified as an Article 9 fund under the SFDR Regulation due to its decarbonization strategy aligned with Science Based Targets, reflecting a commitment to sustainability alongside financial returns.
Clessidra Capital Partners Green Harvest targets majority transactions in Italian agrifood small and medium-sized enterprises, a sector the firm has been investing in for more than 20 years. The fund completed its first investment last November, acquiring a 70% stake in Laurieri, a distinguished Italian company specializing in sweet and savory baked goods founded in Matera in 1976. Laurieri generates approximately €20 million in revenues, with over 90% from international markets, and EBITDA exceeding €5 million. Under Clessidra’s guidance, the company is currently strengthening its management team and expanding production capacity to meet growing international demand.
The fund has already identified a robust pipeline of additional investment opportunities, several of which are at an advanced stage of analysis.
KEY QUOTES:
“Clessidra Capital Partners Green Harvest marks a strategic milestone for our Group, to broaden our presence in the SME market and focusing on the agrifood segment that, for over twenty years, has been central to our private equity investment strategy. Our goal is to capitalize on the longstanding experience of our network in a highly attractive segment such as the Italian agrifood supply chain, characterized by a wealth of family-owned businesses with strong growth potential.”
Andrea Ottaviano, CEO, Clessidra Private Equity SGR
“Investing in the agriculture sector is a core priority for the EIB Group, as it underpins a vital pillar of the European economy. This investment reaffirms the EIF’s key role in backing equity funds that drive the growth, resilience and competitiveness of Italian and European SMEs, while strengthening innovation and long-term value creation across the agrifood value chain.”
Marco Marrone, Chief Investment Officer, European Investment Fund
“The Italian agri-food system represents a strategic asset for the country, capable of combining tradition, quality, and strong international recognition. As the First Cornerstone Investor in Clessidra Capital Partners Green Harvest, Fondo Italiano d’Investimento aims to make a tangible contribution to the mobilization of resources dedicated to the sector, with a particular focus on SMEs.”
Luigi Tommasini, Senior Partner and Head of Strategic Initiatives, Fondo Italiano d’Investimento
