The Benetton family has officially launched 21 Next, a European alternative investment platform, with approximately €3bn (£2.6bn) in assets.

The announcement follows the completion of regulatory approvals from the European Commission, the Bank of Italy, the Italian Competition Authority and France’s AMF for the new investment platform, which focuses on private equity, infrastructure and private debt.

21 Next brings together two Italian investment companies, 21 Invest and 21 Tages, both under the leadership of Edizione, a European industrial and financial holding company chaired by Alessandro Benetton.

The platform aims to exceed €10bn in assets in the coming years, with 21 Next receiving €500m in seed capital from Edizione.

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“With this deal, we’re taking another important step in building the new Edizione, which is taking on an increasingly industrial profile,” said Benetton.

“21 Next was created to interpret the future of private markets: a platform designed to grow, innovate and create long-term value. We are pleased to contribute to this project by bringing our long-standing expertise in the development and internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises.”

Overall, 21 Next manages 11 active funds through 21 Invest and 21 Tages, including sector-focused funds dedicated to healthcare, the energy transition, mid-market infrastructure, private debt, private equity and continuation vehicles.

The platform’s private credit exposure includes dedicated financing for Italian mid-sized companies.

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“Our ambition is to become a leading player in European private markets by combining experience, expertise and execution capabilities to transform ideas and opportunities into tangible results,” said Panfilo Tarantelli, chief executive of 21 Next. “We want to be a trusted partner for entrepreneurs, investors and management teams, by supporting them in building sustainable, long-term growth paths.”

21 Next has more than 100 staff and offices in Treviso, Milan and Paris. The firm is 55 per cent owned by Edizione, with the remaining 45 per cent held by the founders, Benetton of 21 Invest, and Tarantelli, Umberto Quadrino and Sergio Ascolani of 21 Tages, as well as senior management at 21 Invest and 21 Tages, the firm said.

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