GP Investments is an alternative investment company founded and headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil. Since it was founded, the company has raised US$5 billion from investors across the globe and has successfully completed investments in over 50 companies. A strong focus is placed on asset management, mainly of private equity funds. Now known as a leading investment firm in Latin America, GP Investments has been consistently targeting established companies with the potential to grow and has helped these companies to become leaders in their industries. 

Brief History

GP Investments was founded in 1993 with the aim of focusing on the budding private equity market in Latin America. In 1994 the company raised its first US$500 million in investment capital. In 1997 this success was followed with a successor fund of US$800 million. GP Investments shifted focus to technology investments in 2001 and raised US$130 million to concentrate on this. By the mid-2000s GP Investments was rapidly expanding. A third equity fund was raised and closed on US$250 million investor capital by the end of 2005. In 2006 the company underwent a structural change and started making shares available to the public with the goal of raising capital for future trades. The following year the company raised US$190 million, followed by US$232 million in 2008. In 2010 GP Capital had a total commitment of US$1.1 billion. 

Geographically

Originally launched in São Paulo, Brazil, GP Investments has since grown to hold an operational presence in New York, United States, London, United Kingdom and Bermuda.

Significant Investments

GP Investments invests across a diverse range of industries throughout Latin America. Industries include consumer goods, retail, entertainment, restaurants, education, telecom, industrial, technology, utilities, consumer services, logistics, real estate, oil and gas, hotels and more. GP Investments is particularly focused on Brazil. In April 2016 the company acquired The World Kitchen for US$566 million. The World Kitchen is an American retail company that develops, manufactures and distributes bakeware and kitchenware. In May 2016 GP Investments acquired the Swiss investment company Spice Private Equity for an undisclosed amount. 

A noteworthy investment by the firm is an investment of US$31 million during a private equity round in 2013 into Beleza Natural. GP Investments was also the lead investor during the series A funding round in 2016 with an investment of US$4 million. Other companies in which major investments were made include:

• APEN
• Shoptime
• GloboCabo
• BR Towers
• Submarino
• BR Properties
• Centauro
• San Antonio
• Magnesita
• Brazilian Hospitality Group

GP Investments in the News

Global Newswire reported in May 2018 that Bravo Brio Restaurant Group merged with one of GP Investments’ affiliates Spice Private Equity. The merger resulted in the company’s common shares no longer being publically traded. In February 2019, Valor reported that Grupo SBF, the owner of a major sporting goods chain in Brazil has applied to become a publically-held company. GP Investments has an investment of 36.5% in the company.