Who we are

Enterprise Investors is the oldest and one of the largest firms managing private equity and venture capital funds in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. The firm was established by John P. Birkelund and Robert G. Faris, who pioneered the private equity and venture capital industry in the US and are recognized authorities in the field. Building on their success in the US and Western Europe, these private equity experts introduced the best industry standards to the CEE market and became mentors to the EI investment team.

Since 1990 we have managed the capital of major European and American financial institutions. Our objective is to invest the money entrusted to us in companies that demonstrate high growth potential, and then to work with the entrepreneurs and the managers to increase the value of those companies. Our ultimate aim is to return capital to the investors at attractive multiples. 

Since inception we have raised seven funds with combined capital in excess of €1.7 billion. In this time we have invested €1.5 billion in more than 120 companies, and exited more than 90 investments with proceeds of €1.7 billion.

Our experience and network of relationships in local markets count among our foremost strengths. These assets have earned us the respect of leading foreign investors, who regularly entrust us with ever larger funds.

Enterprise Investors is an independent, private firm jointly owned by its partners. Our funds invest in companies from Poland and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, across a wide range of industries. We are able to respond to the challenges of the local economies, regardless of which country we operate in.

In keeping with global economic trends, we often take on major capital-intensive projects that span many countries, forming consortia with other investors if the scale of the project demands it. Thanks to the creation of our venture fund we have an offer for all dynamically growing firms, no matter their size and location.

Our record as private equity pioneers is impressive – we were the first in Poland to introduce management options. We were also the first financial investor to exit an investment through an initial public offering (IPO) on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and one of the first in Central and Eastern Europe to use bank leverage.

Having supported the development of businesses in the region with our innovative transactions for more then 20 years, we now focus on buyouts, management buyouts and buyins, pre-IPOs and expansion financing.

Enterprise Investors has taken close to 30 companies public on the stock exchanges of Warsaw and New York – more than any other private equity firm in the region. We actively encourage buyout and buyin transactions, and sponsor the MBI & MBO Club for executives from Central and Eastern Europe interested in pursuing such deals.

Companies need to continuously invest and increase their value, because no business can afford to stand still. One of the best routes to achieving this is by partnering with a private equity firm. At Enterprise Investors we manage funds effectively, achieving an average money multiple of almost three times cost on all exited investments.

Our investments range from €5 million to €100 million or more. We are open to taking minority or majority positions, up to 100% of the firm.

Most businesses mature in step with the economy. At Enterprise Investors we have the capital, experience and investment expertise to help your company develop faster than both the economy and the competition. We share your aim of meeting the challenges of the global economy and reaping both financial and market rewards.

Having pioneered private equity in Poland, we have built up unparalleled experience that our business partners justifiably view as a mark of guarantee. Our firm’s reputation has been confirmed by a number of prestigious awards, including Best Private Equity Firm in Central and Eastern Europe.