we create

market leaders

We are AUCTUS

With over 370 company investments since 2001, AUCTUS is the by far most active Germany-based private equity firm. Our buy-and-build strategies have created more market leaders than any other fund in Germany. As part of succession solutions, buy-and-build strategies and corporate spin-offs, we take a majority stake in medium-sized companies and / or provide capital for growth and acquisitions.

The Latin word “AUCTUS” stands for our entrepreneurial program “sustainable growth”. Together with the managers of our investments, we strive for a permanent increase in the companies’ value through sales and earnings growth.

AUCTUS is independent and owned by the partners.

We give our companies the time they need, to turn a good medium-sized company into a global market leader.“

Dr. Ingo Krocke, Founder

Awards

We are proud to look back on a multitude of outstanding international awards. These reflect the success we’ve achieved by bringing german medium-sized companies to market leadership, but also our spirit of partnership with our entrepreneurs and managers and our flexible and innovative capital solutions.
No other German-speaking fund has received more international awards. Whilst this makes us very happy and proud, it also is a constant reminder to work even harder to maintain our number one position and to continue to build the future market leaders.

2023

  • FOCUS-BUSINESS:
    Top Arbeitgeber Mittelstand 2023
  • kununu:
    Top Company 2023
  • International Investor Awards 2022-2023:
    Best Private Equity Firm Germany 2022-2023
  • CEO Monthly Magazine: 
    Most Influential CEO 2023 – Germany (Investment Services)

2022

  • kununu:
    Top Company 2022
  • 2022 Global Excellence Awards
    Best Financial Services & Investment Banking Firm 2022 – Germany
  • 2022 Global Business Awards on behalf of Corp Today Magazine
    Most Outstanding SME-Focused Private Equity Firm 2022 – Germany
  • Innovative Lawyers 2022:
    Mergers & Acquisitions Law Firm of the Year – Germany
  • Finance Derivative :
    Most Excellent Investment Company Germany 2022
  • Corp Today Magazine:
    Best SME Private Equity Firm 2022 – Europe
  • International Investor Awards 2022:
    Best Private Equity Firm Germany 2022-2023

2021

  • 2021 Global Business Insight Awards:
    Most Outstanding SME-Focused Private Equity Firm 2021 – Germany
  • Wealth& Finance Elite 2021
    Best SME Private Equity Firm 2021 – Europe
  • FOCUS:
    Top Arbeitgeber Mittelstand 2021
  • Private Equity Exchange Awards 2021:
    Best LBO fund in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – Official nominee
  • M&A Awards 2021 hosted by Acquisition International:
    Best Mid-Sized Business Investments PE Firm – Europe
  • Lawyers Worldwide Award Magazine:
    Mergers & Acquisitions PE Firm of the Year – Germany

2020

  • Business Excellence Awards 2020: 
    Private Equity Firm of the Year 2020 – Germany
  • Wealth& Finance Elite 2020
    Best SME Private Equity Firm 2020 – Europe
  • FOCUS MONEY “Deutschlandtest-Siegel” 2020
    AUCTUS Portfolio unimed awarded as “Germany’s best billing company”
  • Private Equity Exchange Awards 2020:
    Best LBO fund in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – Official nominee
  • FOCUS:
    Top Arbeitgeber Mittelstand 2020

2019

  • Private Equity Exchange Awards 2019:
    Best LBO fund in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
  • FOCUS:
    Top Arbeitgeber Mittelstand 2019
  • Lawyers World Country Awards 2019:
    Best SME-Focused PE Firm for 2019 Germany
  • Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards 2019:
    Best SME-Focused PE Firm 2019 – Germany
  • AI 2019 Business Excellence Awards:
    Recognised Leaders in Owner Buy-Out Services
  • AI 2019 Business Excellence Awards:
    Best Investment & Financial Solutions Firm Germany
  • Corporate Insider 2019 Business Excellence Awards:
    Excellence in Mid-Sized Business Investments

2018

  • Corporate LiveWire Global Fund Awards 2018:
    SME-Focused Private Equity Firm of the Year
  • AI 2018 Business Excellence Awards:
    Best SME Focused Private Equity Firm 2018 – Germany
  • Wealth & Finance International:
    Best Private Equity Firm 2018 – Germany & Global Buy-Out Fund of the Year
  • AI 2018 International Finance Awards:
    SME Investors of the Year – DACH
    Best SME PE Investment Company – Germany
  • Corporate Insider 2018 M&A Awards:
    Excellence in Mid-Sized Business Investments – Germany
  • AI 2018 Global Excellence Awards:
    Most Outstanding SME Private Equity Firm 2018 – Germany
  • Wealth & Finance Business Awards:
    Best Mittelstand Investment Company – Munich
  • Wealth & Finance Investment Fund Awards:
    Private Equity Firm of the Year 2018 – Germany
  • AI 2018 Global Excellence Awards:
    Germanys Leading SME Private Equity Firm 2018

2017

  • AI Ones to Watch in EU Finance 2017
  • AI 2017 International Fund Awards:
    Most innovative Closed-End Fund
    Private Equity Firm of the Year – Germany
  • 2017 German Enterprise Awards:
    Recognised Leaders in Private Equity Consulting 2017 – Germany
  • AI 2017 M&A Awards:
    Best PE Investment Firm – Germany
  • AI 2017 International Finance Awards:
    Best PE Investment Firm – DACH Region
    AI Excellence Award for High Transaction Security 2017
  • CorporateLiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards:
    Private Equity Firm of the Year
  • Corporate Insider M&A Awards 2017:
    Excellence in Mid-Sized Business Investments – Germany

2016

  • Private Equity Exchange Award 2016:
    Best LBO fund in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
  • Preqin:
    Most Consistent Performing Manager
  • International Fund Award 2016:
    Most Innovative Private Equity Firm 2016 – Germany
  • 2016 Business Ecellence Awards:
    Best Mittelstand Private Equity House
  • 2016 DealMakers Country Awards:
    BEST Private Equity Firm – Germany
  • Alternative Investment Awards:
    Best Mittelstand Private Equity Firm
  • 2016 Global Fund Awards:
    SME Focussed Private Equity Firm of the Year – Germany
  • 2016 M&A Awards:
    Best SME Focused Private Equity Firm 2016 – Germany
    Best for Acquisition Growth Strategies – Germany

2015

  • Private Equity Exchange Award 2015:
    Best LBO fund in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
  • Finance Awards 2015:
    Recognised Leader in Partial Sale / Owner Buy-Out
  • M&A Awards 2015:
    Growth Capital Solutions Firm of the Year – Germany
  • Alternative Investment Awards 2015:
    Excellence in Buy & Build
    Best Small-Cap Private Equity Firm – Germany
    Best Active Majority Investor – Germany
  • M&A Awards 2015 Corparte LiveWire:
    Most Outstanding Healthcare Investment Firm – Germany
  • Global Awards 2015:
    Industrial Sector Focused Private Equity Firm of the Year – Germany
  • Preqin:
    Consistent Performing Manager
  • InterContinental Finance Awards 2015:
    ICFM 250 Leading Firms
  • Lawyers World Country Awards 2015:
    Best Private Equity Firm
  • Deal Makers Global Awards 2015:
    Best Private Equity Firm

2014

  • Private Equity Exchange Awards 2014:
    Gold Award – Best German, Austrian & Swiss LBO fund
  • M&A Awards 2014:
    Industrial Sector Focused Private Equity Firm of the year – Germany
  • Alternative Investment Awards 2014:
    Best German Buyout Fund of the year 2014
  • Finance Awards 2014:
    German Portfolio of the year
  • Finance Awards 2014:
    Recognised Leader in German Portfolio
  • Annual Banking Awards 2014:
    Trusted Private Equity Firm of the year – Germany
  • Legal Comprehensive Awards 2014:
    Leading Private Equity Firm – Germany
  • InterContinental Finance Awards 2014:
    Leading Private Equity Firm – Germany
  • Global Awards 2014:
    Top 5 Private Equity Firm – Germany
  • Law Awards 2014:
    Top Private Equity Firm – Germany
  • End of Year Annual Awards 2014:
    Trusted Private Equity Firm – Germany

2013

  • Private Equity Exchange Awards 2013:
    Gold Award – Best German, Austrian & Swiss LBO fund
  • International Fund Awards 2013:
    German Private Equity Firm of the year
  • Finance Awards 2013:
    German Portfolio of the year

2012

  • Private Equity Exchange Awards 2012:
    Gold Award – Best German, Austrian & Swiss LBO fund

The AUCTUS annual review 2022

For us, 2022 was one of the best years in our now 22-year company history – despite the many challenges.

The ranks of our successful buy-and-build strategies were enriched by 4 strong platforms in 2022. We were able to strengthen our existing portfolio with an outstanding number of 48 acquisitions and we recorded the most brilliant AUCTUS exit year with 4 super exits.

In addition, we are happy to announce a new location in Milan, where we will manage our Italian activities with a team of 5 colleagues from now on.