Carac has acquired RAISE, the French pioneer in engaged sustainable finance, for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition sees Carac taking ownership of RAISE's comprehensive investment and innovation platform, which has been a notable player in the European financial landscape since its founding in 2013 by Clara Gaymard and Gonzague de Blignieres.
RAISE operates a unique model combining profitability with generosity, where its investment teams donate 50% of their profit-sharing to the RAISESHERPAS Endowment Fund, France's largest philanthropic accelerator for startups. Its diverse activities span four distinct investment strategies: RAISE Investissement, focused on mid-cap private equity for French SMEs; RAISE Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund; RAISE REIM, a value-add real estate investment strategy targeting assets in Paris; and RAISE Impact, a private equity strategy for European growth with purpose. Beyond investments, RAISE also includes RaiseLab for open innovation consulting and Domaine La Plume, a site for executive inspiration.
This strategic acquisition is expected to significantly broaden Carac's capabilities and market reach, particularly in the rapidly growing sectors of sustainable and impact investing, private equity, and venture capital. By integrating RAISE's established platform, Carac gains immediate access to a diversified portfolio of financial strategies and an innovative ecosystem, including the philanthropic accelerator RAISESHERPAS. The move underscores a strategic intent to enhance Carac's offerings with purpose-driven financial solutions and a proven model for shared success.
The combination of Carac's existing operations with RAISE's expertise in engaged finance and innovation is anticipated to create a more robust and diversified entity. The acquisition is poised to strengthen Carac's position in the market, allowing it to better serve a wider range of clients seeking both financial returns and positive societal impact through a comprehensive suite of investment and innovation services.