We are a flexible and prudent investment partner
We create investment opportunities
Bright Capital is a leading private debt investor in the European lower middle market. With a proven track record, we excel in generating superior returns for our investors. At Bright Capital, we leverage our extensive financing expertise to identify unique sponsored and non-sponsored investment opportunities. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our tailored approach to private debt investments, providing individual financing solutions including senior debt and flex equity alongside debt investments. We prioritize partnerships with companies that show significant value creation potential and help them unlock their full potential and drive growth. The cornerstone of our strategy – delivering superior returns – is our dedicated investment team, which analyses and develops investment opportunities with great dedication, attention to detail, and passion to unlock investment opportunities.
Bright Capital's management team invest their own capital ensuring a maximum alignment of interest and prudent decision-making.
Our philosophy
Bright Capital is a reliable partner for private equity sponsors, business owners, debt advisors and corporates. With our flexible investment mandates, we enable growth and value creation. Bright Capital actively develops investment opportunities. We believe that open communication is the foundation of trust. We strive to find structures that provide for a maximum alignment of interest of diverse stakeholders. Based on a well-designed process, open communication and fundamental investment analysis, we achieve superior long-term returns. In a collaborative investment process, we aim to balance the needs of business owners, empower management teams, and safeguard our investors’ interests.
Flexibility
- High degree of structuring flexibility up and down the capital structure
- High execution speed and certainty backed by local investment committee.
- Bright Capital can support buy-and-build concepts with committed and uncommitted facilities.
Independence
- Dedicated credit investor
- Bright Capital’s credit and minority equity (alongside debt) approach enables borrowers to remain independent.
- No conflict of interest – Bright Capital as a dedicated debt provider
- Germany-based investment team with dedicated DACH, Benelux, and Nordics focus
Reliability
- Transparent and cooperative process
- Seasoned team members with comprehensive skills and long-standing investment experience
- Demonstrated track record partnering with buy-and-build platforms and equity sponsors
- High execution certainty and process speed enabled by internal investment committee set-up
Value-driven culture
- Entrepreneurial culture shared by all team members
- Long-term oriented investor paired with bespoke structuring expertise to meet our client’s financing need
- Debt and flex equity solutions for complex investment opportunities
- Partnership approach to unlock the full potential of investment opportunities
Our team — a wealth of experience in structuring capital solutions
Exceptional people and genuine teamwork
Diversity within the Bright Capital investment team is not merely an objective but a strategic imperative. A diverse team brings a rich tapestry of perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table, enhancing the decision-making process. Evaluating investment opportunities, a variety of viewpoints helps navigate complexities and seize opportunities and ensures a well-rounded approach to risk management. Diversity in diverse aspects is a competitive advantage, enabling the team to adapt swiftly to evolving markets. Our philosophy is shared by our team members. Everything we do is based on fundamental analysis and genuine teamwork.
Karsten co-founded Bright Capital to provide innovative capital solutions to growth companies focusing on buy-and-build strategies across the DACH region, Benelux and Nordics. With a background in the Investment Banking divisions of Sal. Oppenheim and Berenberg Bank, and as a consultant, Karsten has a wealth of experience in structuring corporate debt and equity transactions. Karsten holds a CVA and has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Erlangen. Karsten lives with his family in Munich and is a passionate skier and mountaineer.
Prior to joining BRIGHT CAPITAL, Felix worked in HSBC’s Mid Market Financial Sponsors team in Frankfurt focusing on the structuring and execution of mid and large-cap sponsor-backed transactions across Germany and Austria. Previously, he completed a Corporate & Investment Banking graduate programme at HSBC in Dusseldorf, where he worked on various corporate finance and debt capital markets transactions. Felix holds an M.Sc. in Finance as well as Corporate Management and studied in Germany, the US and France. Felix is married and has one son.
Prior to Bright Capital, Pavlina worked for the Leveraged Finance Portfolio team of Commerzbank covering small and mid-cap LBO companies throughout different industries and sectors. Prior to that, she worked for several years for Crédit Agricole CIB in Frankfurt in their Leveraged Finance team, covering portfolio and credit tasks. Pavlina obtained a Master's in Finance & International Economic Relationships from the Goethe University in Frankfurt after studying in her home country, Bulgaria. She loves travelling, and learning new cultures and is a certified yoga teacher.
Before joining Bright Capital, Lukas gained experience in corporate finance and structured finance at Carlsquare and Bankhaus Lampe as well as expertise in controlling at thyssenkrupp. Lukas studied in Germany and Spain and graduated from HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management with an M.Sc. in Management. Lukas boulders and competes in obstacle races.
Prior to joining Bright Capital, Diyor worked in HSBC’s Mid Market Financial Sponsors team in Frankfurt focusing on the structuring and execution of mid and large-cap sponsor-backed transactions across Germany and Austria. Prior to that he started his career in the Leveraged Finance team in Commerzbank in Frankfurt, where he also worked on mid and large-cap leveraged finance transactions. Diyor holds an M.Sc. in Management and Finance from the Goethe University in Frankfurt. Diyor is married.
Prior to joining Bright Capital, Maximilian worked in Deutsche Bank’s Investment Banking and Structured Finance team in Frankfurt where he focused on leveraged finance and M&A. Maximilian holds a Master’s Degree in Financial Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Mannheim.
Independent investor with strong commitment to the people we work with
Why independence matters
Bright Capital is owned by the partners of the firm. Independence ensures that our investment strategies remain adaptable, innovative, and finely attuned to evolving markets. It fosters a stronger alignment of interests between Bright Capital, business owners, investee companies, investors and all other stakeholders. There is a clear focus on mutual success without the distractions that may arise from third-party interests. This is important when assessing investment opportunities and making decisions based solely on the metrics of an investment. Independence contributes to the long-term goals of Bright Capital. It allows us to build enduring relationships with our partners based on a foundation of trust, consistency, and a shared commitment to sustained growth.
Our commitment to associations
Bright Capital is a member of the following associations:
