Ardian has raised $20bn for its latest infrastructure platform focused on essential European assets across energy, transport and digital sectors.
The fundraising includes the €11.5bn Ardian Infrastructure Fund VI, which reached its hard cap and is 90% larger than its predecessor. The total comprises co-investments alongside the fund, underlining investor confidence in Ardian’s long-term infrastructure strategy.
A significant portion of the platform will go to energy projects, with investments already committed to Ireland’s Energia Group, renewable developer Akuo, and waste-to-energy specialist Attero, which is developing a carbon capture and storage project in the Netherlands.
The fund will also support assets such as data centre operator Verne and airports including London Heathrow and Venice, while continuing Ardian’s focus on essential, capital-intensive projects across Europe.
The raise attracted 229 investors from Europe, North America, APAC and the Middle East, with the United States accounting for 14% of commitments and Asian investors contributing 32%.
Executive vice-president Mathias Burghardt said: “Amid Ardian’s continued strong performance, this milestone fundraise reflects the success of our differentiated strategy that we have applied consistently since inception 20 years ago.”
He said the firm’s focus on operational improvement over market cycles had “stood the test of time” and was creating long-term value in essential infrastructure.
Executive vice-president Jan Philipp Schmitz said: “The scale and speed of this fundraise highlights not only the market-leading position of Ardian’s Infrastructure team, but also the attractiveness of the asset class.”
He added that there had been “a notable increase in interest among investors outside Europe, especially in the US and APAC.”
Ardian now manages $47bn in infrastructure assets globally, supported by 80 investment professionals and a growing portfolio of energy transition projects.