Operating through IDIA Participations and SOFIPAR, IDIA specialises in providing
long-term financing for the food industry.
IDIA Participations, a partner for agribusiness
IDIA Participations, a private equity firm dedicated exclusively to agribusiness,
was acquired by Crédit Agricole in 1996. Since its inception at the beginning
of the 1980s, the company has been involved with the development of over 150 businesses
and has become a leading player in this market.
IDIA Participations concentrates either on helping large-scale development projects
or on arranging buyouts, often with leverage.
This involves taking minority stakes in equity (or a majority holding, alongside
other partners) or, alternatively, in financial instruments that may offer access
to equity. Each investment is typically worth between EUR2 million and EUR15 million.
As Crédit Agricole's key player in private equity for the food industry, IDIA
Participations co-invests with regional venture capital firms. Depending on the
invested company's location and profile, IDIA Participations works closely with
Crédit Agricole Regional Banks and the LCL Network.
Investment strategy
To become an active, long-term partner for food industry entrepreneurs:
- with the backing of Crédit Agricole, which has a high profile in agribusiness
finance with 40% market share;
- by strengthening its presence among core target firms worth between EUR15 million
and EUR200 million.
SOFIPAR, a partner for co-operatives
SOFIPAR makes specific long-term investments amounting to between EUR1 million
and EUR20 million in co-operative groups. Formed in 1974, SOFIPAR has partnered
most major co-operatives at key moments in their growth cycle over the past 30
years.
Its investments currently involve 35 enterprises, chiefly ordinary-law subsidiaries
of co-operatives groups. Its use specially structured financing solutions that
include equity, convertible bonds, participating or equity loans and long-term
and mezzanine subordinated debt.
SOFIPAR works closely with the appropriate Crédit Agricole Regional Banks and
other financing partners through an original structure of participating companies.
Investment strategy
To help consolidate Crédit Agricole's leadership - a 70% share - in the market
for farm co-operatives:
- by getting involved in major internal or acquisition-led growth programmes;
- by participating in innovative projects, biofuels and the consolidation of
agricultural subsectors.
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