A multi-asset platform supporting Italian SMEs
Clessidra is one of the main Italian alternative investment platforms, specialized in the mid-market and dedicated to supporting the growth and transformation of the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises. Founded in 2003, it has been controlled by Italmobiliare since 2016, a year that marks the start of a new phase of development, characterized by a diversification strategy and a strong integration of ESG principles. Today, the Group is a multi-asset player that manages approximately 1.7 billion euro overall, structured along three business lines — Private Equity, Capital Credit and Factoring — with a model that integrates financial expertise, industrial vision and sustainability.
As Chairwoman Mirja Cartia d’Asero underlines, “Clessidra is capable of creating value for all stakeholders by combining the ability to generate solid industrial growth and the integration of ESG principles. Italy is, in terms of size, the second manufacturing power and the second exporter of goods in Europe, half of which are destined for non-European markets: this context makes it possible to identify, support and invest in small and medium-sized enterprises, the real engine of our economy, also through the strengthening of governance and support for growth, both organic and by acquisitions.”
The multi-asset nature of Clessidra allows the Group to offer integrated solutions along the entire life cycle of companies. Through Private Equity, the original core of its activity, which today operates through two distinct strategies that invest in mid-cap and small-cap companies, solid and innovative Italian enterprises are enhanced, supporting sustainable growth plans and opening up to international markets. The Private Credit strategies, instead, finance both companies involved in extraordinary transactions, such as acquisitions or reorganizations of ownership structures, and companies engaged in turnaround processes, through funds dedicated to unlikely-to-pay or non-performing loans. Lastly, Factoring provides liquidity to SMEs that are looking for alternative solutions to the traditional banking channel.
The expansion of Clessidra is complementary to that of Italmobiliare which, over the years – while not exercising management and coordination – has accompanied its growth both as a shareholder and as a direct investor in the funds, with significant returns and a positive impact on the ecosystem of Italian SMEs. The two entities share a common objective: to promote the competitiveness of the industrial system and generate sustainable value over time for their investors.
Finally, observes Mirja Cartia d’Asero, “In recent years Clessidra has been able to be at the forefront in the implementation of investment strategies focused on ESG principles, ensuring greater control over risks and enabling the generation of more sustainable returns.” Clessidra’s sustainability strategy is structured around three pillars: oversight of Governance, which also integrates improvement actions in the fields of health, safety and inclusion; just transition, based on decarbonization and social impact; and sustainable leadership, founded on innovation and the growth of skills.
Looking to the future, Clessidra intends to strengthen its role as financial partner for its investors, being able to accompany Italian SMEs in their paths of growth, aggregation and sustainable transition, and it aims to remain a point of reference for the development of the mid-market, combining financial expertise and industrial vision.