Ardian, a private investment house, has raised more than $800 million for its first infrastructure fund dedicated to the United States and other OECD American countries. The fund marks Ardian’s continued expansion into the American market.
The fundraising, which was completed in less than six months, attracted a substantial number of North American institutional investors within a diversified global mix that also included commitments from European and Asian pension funds, insurance companies and other institutions.
The fund will invest in U.S. and other OECD American essential infrastructure assets in the transport and energy sectors.
“We see an opportunity in the U.S. infrastructure middle market, which remains insufficiently served and offers a higher risk-return proposition. We will also be leveraging proprietary deal flow stemming from our global industrial partners doing business in the Americas,” said Mathias Burghardt, member of the executive committee and head of Ardian Infrastructure.
Ardian has made inroads into the North America market over the past six months and has already completed its first two investments with this fund. It has partnered with Transatlantic Power Holdings (TPH) to create a renewables platform, Skyline Renewables, and acquire Whirlwind, a 60-megawatt wind farm in Texas. Ardian also previously announced its acquisition of LBC Tank Terminals, a global operator of bulk liquid storage facilities with a significant U.S. presence. It most recently announced the appointment of U.S. energy industry veteran Mark Voccola, beginning in August 2018. Voccola will co-lead the U.S. infrastructure activities alongside Stefano Mion, managing director.
In additional fund news, Ardian also launched a new infrastructure fund, ARDIAN Americas Infrastructure Fund IV. The new fund has raised $65 million so far, according to a filing with the SEC.
