Fostering sustainable value creation alongside talented entrepreneurs
The Expansion team partners with talented entrepreneurs running mid-sized companies across the major Western European economies. Drawing on 20 years’ experience in this segment, our team supports them with a pragmatic, customized approach as they accelerate their growth plans and confront their strategic challenges. We take a mid- to long-term perspective and build partnerships that create sustainable value for all stakeholders.
-
$8Bn
of assets managed or advised
-
35
investment professionals in 3 offices
-
75+
investments in past and current portfolio companies
Multi-local presence builds strong partnerships
Thanks to our offices in Paris, Frankfurt, and Milan, our more than 30 investment professionals can closely follow their local market, developing cultural awareness and a powerful network for their portfolio companies. This helps us to build mutual understanding and trusting relationships with entrepreneurs and accelerate cross-border opportunities including build-ups, new customers and operational expansion.
Leveraging Ardian’s global network to foster organic growth
We work alongside talented entrepreneurs to build domestic and European champions with the full support of Ardian’s platform. Leveraging our global network of industry experts, our dedicated internal operational functions, and international presence, our portfolio companies strengthen their organic growth, seize cross-selling opportunities and build a leadership position in their market segment.
Exploit the full potential of an efficient buy-and-build strategy
Ardian Expansion has an outstanding record of helping mid-size companies grow through strategic acquisitions. We offer them access to a powerful global growth platform, thanks to our ability to identify and complete add-on acquisitions in Europe, Asia and the Americas. This is often the key reason they choose Ardian. On average we perform 5 build-ups per portfolio company during the holding period.
Focus on sustainability and digital strategies to create long-term value
Engaging with our portfolio companies on sustainability and digital strategies is central to our monitoring approach. We believe transversal topics such as these will have a major impact on long-term value creation. Thanks to Ardian’s two specialist internal teams, we work hand in hand with managements to address the most important sustainability and digital topics.
Our strategy

Growing mid-size companies in all sectors
Our strategy is to invest in mid-size companies with Enterprise Values ranging from €100M to €500M. We target businesses with an established position in their home market, strong revenue growth and robust margins. The Ardian Expansion team will leverage its accumulated experience in 4 key sectors (IT & Technologies, Business Services, Healthcare and Value-Added Industrials) to identify leading niche players and acquire them at reasonable valuations.

Major Eurozone economies
The team mainly invests across the major Eurozone economies (France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Iberian Peninsula), as well as in Switzerland.

A mid to long term shareholder
We take a mid- to long-term perspective, typically holding our investments for 4 to 6 years, and partner with entrepreneurs, founding families or financial investors to foster sustainable value creation. As a majority or minority (with strong governance rights) shareholder, we have the flexibility to support family succession, an exit by financial sponsors or spin-offs.
Artefact, the data alchemist
Discover how Artefact is unlocking value from data, with Vincent Luciani CEO and co-founder of Artefact.
The Team
Ardian Expansion has a team of 35 investment professionals based in France, Germany, and Italy, sharing incentive in a common European fund. Our 10 Managing Directors have worked together for 15 years, building a strong team culture and long-lasting professional relationships.
"Management teams want local partners, but as they look to build on their domestic strength they also want a platform for international growth. Offering both is a powerful combination."

Investment Manager

Analyst

Analyst
Analyst

Analyst

Member of the Executive Committee, Managing Director of Ardian France & Head of Expansion

Head of Expansion Germany

Head of Expansion France

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Senior Investment Manager

Senior Investment Manager

Senior Investment Manager

Senior Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Analyst

Analyst
Analyst

Analyst

Member of the Executive Committee, Managing Director of Ardian France & Head of Expansion

Head of Expansion Germany

Head of Expansion France

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Managing Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Senior Investment Manager

Senior Investment Manager

Senior Investment Manager

Senior Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Investment Manager

Analyst

Analyst
Analyst

Analyst
Check out our investment map

Driving Innovation and Resilience: Insights from Ardian and COROB
-
Expansion Growth stories

Driving long-term value and international growth: Insights from Finaxy Group with Ardian
-
Expansion Growth stories

Unlocking long-term value with AI: Insights from Ardian and Artefact
-
Expansion, Technology & Innovation Growth stories

The AI imperative: rethinking alternative investment
-
Technology & Innovation, Infrastructure, Buyout, Expansion, Growth, Ardian Semiconductor Responsible finance Market watch

Driving Expansion and Innovation: Ardian's Strategic Partnership with Technology & Strategy
-
Expansion Growth stories

Preparing for an interview to work in Private Equity
-
Resource Center, Expansion Testimony
François Jerphagnon and Florian Kluge provide an in-depth analysis of Ardian's successful approach to navigate challenging market conditions. They...
-
Expansion, Investor Relations, Ardian Semiconductor Growth stories
Janine Paustian joined Ardian as an intern in 2019. Now a full-time Analyst in Frankfurt in the Expansion team, she helps to convey Ardian’s core...
-
Expansion Inside Ardian
Stijn Vandeputte, founder of Trustteam, and Arnaud Dufer, Head of France and Belgium in the Expansion team at Ardian, explain how the former portfolio...
-
Expansion Growth stories Responsible finance

From a memory solutions provider to a leader in cybersecurity, meet our portfolio company Swissbit
-
Expansion Growth stories
Ardian’s partnership with Lagarrigue saw the company complete 25 acquisitions, transforming it firstly into the leading French orthopedics and...
-
Expansion Growth stories

Meet Lagarrigue, the world leader in digital orthopedics
-
Expansion Growth stories

European Private Markets Fund Manager of the Year 2024
In November 2024, Ardian has won the “European Private Markets Fund Manager of the Year 2024” (AuM of more than €100bn) at the Funds Europe Awards 2024 in London.

European Asset Management Firm of the Year 2024
In November 2024, Ardian has won the “European Asset Management Firm of the Year 2024” at the Funds Europe Awards 2024 in London.

ESG Manager of the Year 2024
In October 2024, Ardian was awarded “IJ Global ESG Asset Manager of the Year,” at the IJ Global Awards 2024.

Grands Prix - Private Equity Magazine
In June 2022, the Expansion team was awarded the prize of best investment fund in the “Mid” category at the Private Equity Magazine “Grands Prix”.
On average we have known each management team for three years before we invest. The understanding we build with them is the key to our success.