Cathay Capital Appoints Caroline Folleas as Partner, Bringing Decades of Consumer & Healthcare Investment Expertise to Private Equity Practice in France

December 12, 2023
Europe

Firm continues to strengthen its team across investment strategies and expertise in its strategic verticals

Today, Cathay Capital announced the appointment of Caroline Folleas as Partner for its private equity practice in Paris, with dual expertise in the healthcare and consumer sectors. This new recruitment follows that of Bruno Delahaye as Partner of Cathay Innovation (based in Paris) focused on the consumer and retail sector, and the return of Li Zhang (based in Shanghai) to lead the Cathay Smart Energy fund. Cathay Capital thus continues to strengthen its senior investment team, its expertise in its strategic sectors, and to prepare for the next steps in the deployment of its platform.

Over the past 17 years, Cathay Capital has built an ecosystem that brings together investors, small and midsize companies, startups and some of the largest corporations across Europe, North America and Asia. Its platform provides entrepreneurs and portfolio companies with global reach and an extensive industrial network to support growth. As global economies and societies face rapid change, Cathay Capital Private Equity invests in sectors with high sustainable transformation potential, focusing on three main verticals: tech, healthcare and consumer goods.

Cathay Capital defines itself as a committed investor, providing strategic and operational support for ambitious value creation projects for SMEs and SMIs (innovation, external growth, sustainable development, etc.). It also aims to go beyond investment, with its strategic partnerships with large industry players, building deep sector expertise that will have a larger impact by solving real pain points or filling unmet needs.

To this end, Caroline Folleas’ consumer and healthcare experience will be invaluable to sourcing new Private Equity investments and supporting the transformation and value creation of portfolio companies and their associated industries.

Caroline has worked in finance for over 23 years, both in investment banking and private equity, in several geographies. She spent two and a half years at Merieux Equity Partners, a private equity fund focusing on healthcare and backed by the Institut Merieux, where she led the investment in DentalMonitoring, a French unicorn and leader in AI for the remote monitoring of orthodontic treatments. Previously, she spent 13 years at L Catterton, the largest global consumer-focused fund, backed by LVMH, with around $30B AUM. During this time, she participated in numerous transactions such as Sandro Maje Claudie Pierlot, Innis & Gunn, CTG, Princess, Micromania, EMU, across France, UK, Italy and Spain. Before that, she worked at BNP Paribas for 7 years, spending 4 years In Italy and France on the leveraged finance team and 3 years in the UK and Argentina in the trading room. Caroline graduated from ESCP Business School.

Mingpo Cai, Founder & CEO of Cathay Capital, said: “I’m delighted to see the Cathay family grow and welcome such wonderful talent to our team. Caroline is an extremely skilled investment professional who has developed over the years invaluable sector-focused expertise in the consumer and healthcare industries — two verticals at the core of Cathay’s value proposition and private equity strategy.”

Caroline Folleas, Partner at Cathay Capital, added: ” I am convinced that Private Equity must go beyond financing to be useful to entrepreneurs and support them in the transformations ahead. With its international presence, deep expertise in healthcare, consumer and tech, complemented by an impressive track record, I believe that Cathay Capital is one of the best positioned partners to support entrepreneurs in their ambitious growth projects. I am delighted to join Cathay’s team of experienced investors and to be part of its unique global platform.”

About Cathay Capital Group

Cathay Capital is a global private equity and venture capital investment firm supporting companies throughout Europe, North America and Asia. The firm helps middle-market companies and startups navigate the opportunities for growth, international expansion, and sustainable transformation. Cathay is the partner of choice for companies aspiring to lead markets and make a positive impact. Its platform connects people with global reach and local expertise – from investors and entrepreneurs to management teams and leading corporations – to share knowledge, the tools to scale and to transform businesses.

Founded in 2007 with a strong entrepreneurial heritage, Cathay Capital now manages over €5B in assets. It has made over 280 investments in verticals including healthcare, technology, and consumer from offices in Paris, New York, San Francisco, Munich, Berlin, Madrid, Shanghai, Beijing and Singapore.

For more information, please visit www.cathaycapital.com

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