Utrecht, The Netherlands – Gilde Healthcare Partners (Gilde), a European private equity firm specializing in healthcare, today announced the launch of a new growth capital fund, Gilde Healthcare Services. The fund will invest in specialized clinics, providers of elderly care, prevention, screening and other fast growing healthcare services in The Netherlands and surrounding countries. The fund addresses the shortfall in bank finance in the healthcare sector and will provide growth capital to fast growing healthcare services companies. Apart from the new fund, dedicated to healthcare services, Gilde manages two healthcare technology funds.

Gilde Healthcare Services is one of the few European private equity funds raised in 2009. The fund is backed by a mix of institutional investors, family offices and private investors. Gilde is in advanced talks with additional investors and expects the fund size to exceed EUR 50 million in the course of 2010.

“We believe this successful fundraising in the current economic climate is a validation of our strategy. With our hands-on, specialized investment approach we will facilitate the growth of a variety of healthcare service companies.”

said Jasper van Gorp, Investment Director.

“The healthcare sector is transforming rapidly and via Gilde Healthcare Services we provide investors a unique opportunity to participate in fast growing healthcare services.”

About Gilde Healthcare Partners

Gilde Healthcare Partners is headquartered in Utrecht, The Netherlands and manages EUR 300 million (USD 450 million) in three investment funds. Gilde’s healthcare technology funds, Healthcare I and II, invest venture capital in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical technologies and biotech. The newly raised Gilde Healthcare Services I fund provides growth capital to healthcare services companies. Gilde Healthcare Partners is a successful builder of healthcare businesses across Europe. By investing in companies with clear deliverable business models, Gilde applies its financial resources, partner expertise and business network to create significant value for both its investors and the entrepreneurs it backs.

Contact
Gilde Healthcare Partners
Jasper van Gorp
Investment Director Healthcare Services
+31(0)30-2192528
vangorp@gildehealthcare.com
www.gildehealthcare.nl