Comments on: Is 3i pulling out of early stage tech startups?

By: TechCrunch UK » Blog Archive » VCs teams jostle for the European cup with new players

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:19:32 +0000

[...] as a sector partner during his three years at 3i, but was left somewhat high and dry after they shut down their venture arm. At least he brings his operational experience at Yahoo! where he was [...]

By: Crunch for early stage : 3i exits sector « Europe 2.0

Crunch for early stage : 3i exits sector « Europe 2.0 — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:14:33 +0000

[...] Founders, funding, peerflix, TAG Crunch times indeed : Mike Butcher of TechCrunch UK had said it, again, and again, now it’s confirmed by the Financial Times. London-based investment [...]

By: TechCrunch UK » Blog Archive » 3i repeats its exit from early stage, now to the FT

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:25:38 +0000

[...] to see the Financial Times catching up on a story I first broke in January and confirmed in February, namely that private equity house 3i is abandoning early-stage [...]

By: TechCrunch UK » Blog Archive » As 3i leave early stage VC, where next for startups?

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:28:08 +0000

[...] my story last month, 3i is indeed leaving early stage venture capital. The UK-based VC and buyouts house is merging its [...]

By: Mike Butcher

Mike Butcher — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:54:07 +0000

Actually I think if they were *not* pulling out of early stage then I would have been called and given a bloody-nose by their PRs by now for posting this. So far, no call.

By: ANON2

ANON2 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:50:36 +0000

They haven’t been serious about early stage tech for over 5 years – I left them not long before that, knowing my services wouldn’t be needed. One or two “dabbles” have been seen, but nothing truly serious.

By: jamescoops

jamescoops — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:00:01 +0000

makes sense – there’s surely not much synergy between private equity and VC

wouldnt it be better to spin-out the VC unit though as a new business?

By: Anon

Anon — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:21:44 +0000

I have heard the same.

According to rumours, 3i is apparently going to stop making further venture capital investments in new companies. They will continue their management in existing portfolio companies and will continue to invest in them. Some senior partners will continue the management of existing investments, however most of the more junior staff will either leave 3i or move to the growth capital or buy-out teams.

If this is true, then 3i will no longer be a player in venture capital. The growth capital and buy-out teams are apparently not affected by this strategic re-orientation.

Is 3i following the path of Apax…?