Prescus Capital AG

What they fund

Prescus Capital does not directly fund companies in the traditional VC/PE sense but facilitates funding through placement agency and advisory services. They place capital for growth equity to pre-IPO stages [1]. They advise on M&A transactions, such as the sale of Prema GmbH [1]. They structure private placements for funds and companies, such as the EUR 22m placement for Forestay [1]. They assist in secondary transactions, such as the 2024 placement agent role for a founder [1]. They support pre-IPO funding rounds, as seen with ABB E-mobility [1].

Investment thesis

Prescus Capital operates as a boutique financial advisory and merchant banking firm, creating value through independent, strategic, and innovative advice rather than traditional asset management [1]. The firm focuses on providing bespoke private capital solutions, M&A, and corporate finance services to high-quality, medium-sized European companies and funds [1]. They align their interests with clients by investing alongside their long-standing investor base, ensuring alignment between founders, shareholders, management teams, GPs, and LPs [1]. Their solutions are tailored to the private market segment, covering areas from growth equity to pre-IPO stages [1].

Value add

Prescus Capital offers bespoke, independent, and strategic advice tailored to the private market segment [1]. They provide deep connectivity with stakeholders in the European private capital markets through offices in Zurich and London [1]. Their merchant banking model ensures alignment of interests by investing alongside their client base [1]. Fit verdict: Ideal for European mid-market companies and funds seeking structured capital solutions, M&A advice, or pre-IPO preparation. Founder diligence script: 1. How does your merchant banking model specifically align interests with my company's long-term goals? 2. What is your track record in placing capital for growth equity to pre-IPO stages in my sector? 3. How do your Zurich and London offices leverage connectivity to secure optimal outcomes for my transaction?

Portfolio focus

The firm's portfolio focus is on its advisory and placement agent roles rather than direct equity holdings. Notable transactions include advising on the sale of Prema GmbH to Teamshares Inc. (2025) [1]. They acted as placement agent for Basemark's Series B (2024) [1]. They placed EUR 22m for Forestay's second tech-oriented growth fund (2024) [1]. They co-placed USD 220m for Lunaphore Technologies' Series D extension (2023) [1]. They were a co-placement agent for ABB E-mobility's pre-IPO funding round (2022/2023) [1].

Notable investments & exits

Prescus Capital advised on the sale of Prema GmbH to Teamshares Inc. in 2025 [1]. They acted as placement agent for a secondary transaction in 2024 [1]. They facilitated the Series B for Basemark in 2024 [1]. They placed capital for Forestay's growth fund in 2024 [1]. They co-placed funding for Lunaphore Technologies in 2023 [1].

Strategic implications

Prescus Capital's edge lies in its merchant banking model and deep European private capital connectivity, positioning it as a key facilitator for mid-market growth and M&A. The main risk is the lack of a traditional fund structure, which may limit scalability and perceived stability compared to asset managers. A signal to change the read would be the launch of a proprietary fund or a significant shift towards direct investing, which would alter its value proposition from advisory to capital provider.

Where they could go further

Prescus Capital could expand its sector focus beyond finance to include technology and healthcare, which are high-growth areas in European private markets. The firm could enhance its value proposition by offering more structured post-advisory support to clients, such as operational improvement programs. Prescus Capital could leverage its Zurich and London offices to establish a stronger presence in emerging European markets, such as Nordics or Southern Europe. The firm could develop a proprietary deal flow platform to attract more institutional investors and co-investment opportunities.