What Kartesia does

Kartesia is a privately owned European private credit manager founded in 2013, headquartered in Luxembourg and operating across 9 European offices. The firm provides tailor-made financing solutions — typically €10m to €150m — to lower mid-market European borrowers including PE-backed companies, family-owned businesses, and management teams in growth, refinancing, buy-and-build, and restructuring situations. The firm has grown to approximately 110-120 professionals managing roughly €8bn in assets under management across 10 credit funds and 6 generations of vintages, with 87 realized exits to date.

The firm's core platform is built around four complementary credit strategies: Kartesia Credit Opportunities (KCO) for opportunistic lending with a flexible dual-track primary/secondary origination model; Kartesia Senior Opportunities (KSO) for pure direct lending; Kartesia Impact Fund (KIF, SFDR Article 9 classified) for ESG-focused lending addressing 11 UN SDGs; and Kartesia Asset Finance (KAF) for asset-based financing (sale-and-leaseback) in transportation and logistics with a decarbonization focus, operated through majority-owned Flexam Invest. In 2026 the firm expanded further into large-cap corporate credit via the Kartesia Loan Management (KLM) CLO platform and launched an ELTIF with Candriam to access European private wealth distribution. Over 70% of investments are sourced off-market on a proprietary basis, and most funds carry SFDR Article 8 or Article 9 classifications.

Kartesia generates revenue primarily through management fees on committed/deployed AUM and performance fees (carried interest) from its credit funds, with additional transaction-related income from origination, commitment, and structuring fees on the lending side. LP capital is sourced from institutional investors, family offices, and — increasingly post-2026 — private wealth clients via the ELTIF vehicle. Since 2020, the firm has operated in a strategic partnership with New York Life Investment Management (through Candriam), which increased its stake to approximately 80% in February 2026 while management retained ~20% and operational autonomy. The firm is authorized by the Luxembourg CSSF (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier), is a UN PRI signatory since 2014, and has won 20+ major European industry awards including Private Debt Investor's 'Europe Lower Mid-Market Lender of the Decade 2023'.

Name

Kartesia

Legal name

Kartesia Management S.à r.l.

Website

http://www.kartesia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kartesia is a European private credit manager providing €10m–€150m financing solutions to lower mid-market borrowers across Europe. With ~€8bn AUM across 10 credit funds, 110+ professionals, and four complementary lending strategies (KCO, KSO, KIF, KAF), it serves PE sponsors, family businesses, and ESG-focused companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Credit Asset Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259), Sales Financing (52222)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Venture Debt Funds / Platforms (FSANAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Supply Chain Finance (Trade Credit, PO/Inventory Financing) (FSAKAGAE), Insolvency & Turnaround Advisory (SME/Mid-Market Debtor-Side) (FSAEAFAK)

Keywords

• Private credit lending
• Direct lending funds
• Asset-based financing
• ESG impact investing
• CLO management

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Credit Fund Management: Kartesia generates revenue through management fees and performance fees (carried interest) from managing its credit funds. The firm manages approximately €8 billion in assets across 10 credit funds and has completed 87 realized exits. Revenues are derived from institutional investors, family offices, and private wealth clients who commit capital to the firm's various fund strategies.
2. Direct Lending and Structured Credit: The firm provides tailored financing solutions to European lower mid-market companies, earning origination fees, commitment fees, and interest income from loan portfolios. The KLM CLO platform has already raised €140M+ in CLO equity capital.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kartesia is a privately owned European asset manager specialising in private corporate lending, providing tailor-made long-term liquidity and credit solutions to European lower mid-market borrowers through four complementary strategies (KCO, KSO, KIF, KLM) plus asset-based financing via the Flexam partnership. Investment sizes range from €10m to €150m, delivered through 10 credit funds representing ~€8bn AUM. The firm sources 70%+ of deals off-market via its 9 European offices.

Product overview

Kartesia is a privately owned European asset manager specializing in private corporate lending. The firm operates four complementary investment strategies targeting the European lower mid-market (€10m to €150m investment opportunities): Kartesia Credit Opportunities (KCO, opportunistic lending), Kartesia Senior Opportunities (KSO, pure direct lending), Kartesia Impact Fund (KIF, SFDR Article 9 ESG-focused), and Kartesia Asset Finance (KAF, asset-based financing via Flexam partnership). The platform also includes Kartesia Loan Management (KLM), a European CLO platform for large-cap credit expansion. Most financial products are SFDR Article 8 or Article 9 classified, reflecting commitment to responsible investing. Through disciplined approach and off-market origination (70%+ deals), Kartesia aims to build diversified, sustainable portfolios with downside protection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kartesia Credit Opportunities (KCO): Opportunistic lending strategy focused on the European Lower Mid-Market since 2013, allowing flexible dual-track, primary or secondary origination model.
• Kartesia Senior Opportunities (KSO)
• Kartesia Impact Fund (KIF)
• Kartesia Asset Finance
• Kartesia Loan Management (KLM)

Products and services

• Kartesia Credit Opportunities (KCO) Opportunistic lending strategy for the European lower mid-market, providing flexible, differentiated financing across the capital structure via a dual-track primary or secondary origination model. Target investment sizes €10m–€150m. For European mid-market borrowers, PE sponsors, and management teams.
• Kartesia Senior Opportunities (KSO) Pure direct lending strategy providing senior debt to European mid-market borrowers. Benefits from dynamic deal flow and a strong pipeline driven by structural imbalance in the supply of credit. Highly selective, securing investments in Europe's strongest businesses.
• Kartesia Impact Fund (KIF) Direct lending strategy covering two ESG themes: 'creating a better society' and 'a healthier planet'. Addresses 11 of the 17 UN SDGs, with meaningful interest rate reductions for portfolio companies meeting ESG targets. SFDR Article 9 classified.
• Kartesia Asset Finance (KAF) Asset-based financing strategy providing sale-and-leaseback and financial leases for tangible assets in European transportation and logistics, with a focus on decarbonisation. Typical assets include freight wagons, rescue helicopters, crew transfer vessels, and warehouse automation. 15-year track record with ~€900m in financed assets.
• Kartesia Loan Management (KLM) European CLO platform marking Kartesia's expansion into large-cap corporate credit, leveraging pan-European leveraged credit expertise combined with over a decade of CLO equity tranche investing. €140M+ in CLO equity capital already raised; aimed at becoming a repeat CLO issuer.
• Kartesia ELTIF European Long-Term Investment Fund (ELTIF) developed in partnership with Candriam, delivering private credit solutions to private wealth investors. SFDR Article 8 classified. Retail/wealth-distribution focused.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87 realized exits demonstrating successful investment track record
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Flexam InvestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Kartesia became majority shareholder of Flexam Invest, a mid-market debt manager specialized in asset-based financing with focus on decarbonization. Flexam excels in finance leases (including sale & lease-backs) of tangible assets in European transportation and logistics industries.
• King Baudouin FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKartesia Philanthropy operates under the umbrella of the King Baudouin Foundation, a European foundation active in Belgium, Europe and internationally. The foundation provides support and expertise in charitable work selection and guarantees monitoring of supported projects.
• Osborne ClarkeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOsborne Clarke's leverage finance team supported Kartesia on UK transactions including £32 million debt funding to Envisage Dental and financing for Perwyn's acquisition of Agilitas IT Solutions.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tikehau Capital: European alternative asset manager with a significant private debt business focused on direct lending to mid-market companies. Comparable in strategy mix (direct lending, CLO, asset-based finance), European footprint, and target borrower profile to Kartesia.
• Pemberton Asset Management: London-based European mid-market direct lending specialist managing ~€10bn across senior debt and alternative credit strategies. Highly comparable to Kartesia on strategy, target borrower size, and pan-European origination.
• Bridgepoint Credit: European lower mid-market direct lending platform within Bridgepoint, providing unitranche and senior loans to PE-backed companies. Direct competitor in the same European lower mid-market niche.
• Intermediate Capital Group (ICG): Large European-headquartered alternative asset manager with deep direct lending and mezzanine debt franchise across European mid-market. Comparable strategy breadth, though larger scale and broader product set than Kartesia.
• Muzinich & Co: Global credit-focused asset manager with strong European private debt presence, providing direct lending and specialty credit to mid-market companies. Overlapping target market and product offerings with Kartesia.
• Eurazeo (Private Debt): European private equity and private debt platform with mid-market direct lending activities across France and broader Europe. Comparable in target market and direct lending approach.
• Hayfin: European private credit firm focused on direct lending to mid-market companies, with ~€20bn AUM across senior debt, special situations, and CLO strategies. Strongly comparable strategy mix including the CLO platform overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Barings (European Private Debt): Global investment manager with a large European private debt franchise providing senior loans, unitranche, and mezzanine financing. Larger and more diversified than Kartesia but with overlapping European mid-market direct lending focus.
• Blackstone Credit (European Private Debt): Massive global credit platform with growing European mid-market direct lending presence. While vastly larger scale, the European lower mid-market strategy directly overlaps with Kartesia's core positioning.

Regional players

• Cheyne Capital: London-based alternative asset manager with European private credit strategies. Comparable mid-market direct lending focus and European footprint, though different strategy emphasis (special situations, real estate debt).

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kartesia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kartesia
• Xx.com/Kartesia1

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A6 records

Investments34 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kartesia