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| Calvey and Kalinin: investors are keen on private equity in Russia |
In the space of the past 13 years the company has launched no fewer than four funds, each one progressively larger than its predecessor. Starting with the relatively modest $160 million First NIS Regional Fund in 1994, BVCP has gone on to raise $205 million in 2001 via the Baring Vostok Private Equity Fund, then $413 million in 2005 via Baring Vostok Private Equity Fund III and now $1.1 billion via Baring Vostok Private Equity Fund IV. Michael Calvey, co-managing partner of BVCP alongside Alexei Kalinin, says that compared with launching the first fund, marketing the latest one was much easier. "Compared with even two years ago institutional investors are much more willing to look at Russia, as there is a growing awareness that economic power is shifting towards fast-growing, emerging market economies like those of Russia."
He adds: "We had 70% raised from existing investors and so didn’t have to work too hard on the marketing to pick up new investors." A number of accounts have been with BVCP since 1994, participated in all four funds and enjoyed high returns as a result.