Investment in private capital grew 19% in 2021, up to 7,494 million By EFE

Madrid, Jan 21 (.).- Private capital investment in Spain rose last year to 7,494 million euros through 841 operations, which represents an increase of 19% over the previous year, according to provisional data reported this Friday by the Spanish Association of Capital, Growth and Investment (Ascri).

This sector captured 2,583.8 million euros last year, 21% more than the previous year, which over the next five years will be used to finance the business sector, while the amount of divestments fell by 8% and stood at 1,490.2 million.

Of the total investment figure, and despite the pandemic, which was mainly allocated to companies in the technology and internet sector, as well as to health and services, 1,942 million corresponded to the venture capital activity, which materialized in 691 operations, with what historical maximums were registered. In this segment, 1,575 million channeled through international firms.

In a telematic presentation of the figures for the sector, the president of Ascri, Aquilino Peña, highlighted that last year international investors showed their interest in the Spanish market, since they channeled 81% of the investment.

For their part, national managers reduced their investment volume by 12.82%, to 1,285 million euros.

Regarding the size of the investments, Ascri has pointed out that “the section of large operations (above 100 million euros) is recovered, with a total of 10 investments in 9 companies, in operations that concentrated more than half of the volume total employee”.

They have also indicated that the segment of investments with an amount between 10 and 100 million “is still very active and maintains the intense dynamism of recent years. In 2021, it registered a new record in the number of investments (93) with a volume of 2,338 millions of euros”.

In the presentation, Peña defended the activity of the sector – “we are here to support the companies, not to bankrupt them” – and took the iron out of the anti-takeover bid legislation approved by the covid-19 pandemic, which did not stop operations, although he stated that he would like it to be removed.

In addition, the president of Ascri called for better fiscal measures for the sector, such as a decrease in withholdings on divestments, and predicted a good year for this activity, especially in the technology, restaurant and service, and health segments.

Ascri brings together more than 150 national and international “Venture Capital and Private Equity” firms, 86 service providers and 16 institutional investors.