Gilde Healthcare’s private equity fund announces the acquisition of a majority stake in Physio CKI from Kapital 1852. Physio CKI is a fast-growing group of physiotherapy practices headquartered in Cologne. Founder and managing director Chaled Qarizada retains a significant stake in the company and continues to lead the group as CEO, supported by Stephan Kretschmer, who joined as a member of the group’s management team. Together with Gilde Healthcare, Physio CKI aims to further accelerate organic growth through its succesful greenfield approach.
Physio CKI currently operates 13 modern practices in the Düsseldorf / Cologne / Rhein-Sieg region and has its own training academy for certified professional development courses. The comprehensive range of services includes general physiotherapy with a focus on sports orthopedics / traumatology and neurology, as well as other specialized treatments. The group employs more than 200 people, 70 percent of whom are therapists.
Chaled Qarizada, CEO and founder of Physio CKI, commented: “The partnership with Gilde Healthcare marks an important step in Physio CKI’s development. Together, we will expand the network of practices in a targeted manner, further increase the quality and accessibility of care, and strengthen professional therapy planning across multiple regions. The combination of Gilde Healthcare’s industry expertise and long-term capital enables us to execute our ambitious growth plan and establish the Physio CKI brand’s profile nationwide as synonymous with modern physiotherapy.”
Robert Stein, Partner at Gilde Healthcare, commented: “Physio CKI impressed us with its innovative practice concept, clear quality standards, and dynamic, organic growth. The consistent focus on patient needs, combined with efficient processes and a committed team, creates a strong foundation for sustainable growth. We look forward to supporting the group in its expansion and increasing access to high-quality physiotherapy services.”
“It has been a pleasure for us to play an important role in sustainably shaping the entrepreneurial journey of Physio CKI over the past years. Following an extremely successful start-up and growth phase, Kapital 1852 is now handing over the baton to Gilde Healthcare, which will shape the next stage of the group’s development and actively support its strategic advancement. We would like to thank Chaled Qarizada and the entire team for their trusting cooperation. We wish Physio CKI and Gilde Healthcare continued success and all the best for the future,” said Björn Schürmann on behalf of Kapital 1852.
About Physio CKI
The Physio CKI Group is based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, and employs over 200 people. The company provides physiotherapy services of the highest standard in 13 practices in the greater Rhine-Sieg, Cologne-Bonn, and Düsseldorf areas, all of which feature a uniform, well-thought-out corporate design and create a high-quality atmosphere. Physio CKI has a proven practice concept with highly motivated employees and efficient internal structures. This makes Physio CKI a pioneer in the heterogeneous market of physiotherapy providers and one of the most successful physiotherapy chains in Germany, which is also managed under a uniform brand. Additional expansion of the location network is already planned. Further information can be found at www.physio-cki.de.
About Gilde Healthcare
Gilde Healthcare is a thematic investor managing over €2.6 billion across two healthcare-focused fund strategies: Private Equity and Venture & Growth. Gilde Healthcare’s private equity fund invests in profitable lower mid-market healthcare companies based in Northwest Europe. Gilde Healthcare’s Venture & Growth fund invests in digital healthcare solutions, medical technology, and therapeutics based in Europe and North America. Further information can be found at www.gildehealthcare.com.
About Kapital 1852
Kapital 1852 SCS SICAV-SIF is a fund platform initiated and advised by Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe Privatbank AG with a direct investment fund in the private equity sector and funds of funds in the venture capital, private debt, and infrastructure sectors. Kapital 1852’s direct investment strategy in the private equity sector focuses on structuring and financing company successions, acquiring group companies, and financing the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises. Kapital 1852 pursues an entrepreneurial and constructive value enhancement approach in its direct investments, consistently involving the management teams. The direct investment sub-fund Equity Invest IV “MidCapPlus” has been in existence since November 2020 and has made six investments since then. Further information can be found at www.1852.capital.
