Andera Partners, a leading European private equity player, is continuing the deployment of its sponsorless private financing strategy in Europe with two key appointments within the Andera Acto team.
Sébastien Neiss, Senior Advisor Germany
Sébastien is responsible for establishing sponsorless financing activities on the German market for Andera Acto. With three years in finance, 16 years in M&A on the Germany-France axis and seven years in growth capital, he has shown strong capability in the sourcing of opportunities and in transaction executions in all business sectors.
Notably, Sébastien launched the investment activities of Crédit Mutuel Equity in Frankfurt by establishing a local team and building an equity portfolio in mid-sized German companies. He holds a Master of Finance degree from the University of Strasbourg / University of Bath and speaks French, German and English.
Alberto Cornegliano Cattaneo, Senior Advisor Italy
Alberto is joining Andera Acto to develop the application of sponsorless private financing in the Italian market. Alberto will contribute to Andera Acto’s objectives with over 25 years of investment banking experience, amongst others with Rothschild and Credit Suisse, lastly having been in charge of CS’s Italian mid-market team. He also has a solid industrial background, having intermittently worked for CNH and Iveco (Exor Group) and Finmeccanica/Leonardo. He is fluent in 4 languages (including French and German) and has earned an MBA at SDA Bocconi and Haas Business School/ Berkeley.
These appointments are part of a wider internationalisation strategy of building the sponsorless model developed by Andera Acto, in response to an increasing demand for flexible and non-dilutive financing solutions outside France.
A dynamic European presence driven by a well-established track record
This deployment is predicated on the successful activities of Andera Partners in both countries:
- In Germany, Andera Partners opened an office in Munich in 2021, formalizing relations of the Andera Life Sciences team there, which has been active in Germany for more than 20 years and oversees investments in 20 biotechnology and medical technology companies. Since 2023, the support of Stefan Keitel as Senior Advisor for the DACH region has further reinforced this momentum by providing strategic guidance and strengthening relationships with investors in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
- In Italy, the Milan office, opened in 2022, supports the development of Andera MidCap, operational there for more than 10 years, having completed six investments. Andera Life Sciences also maintains long-term responsibilities in Italy, with several notable shareholdings.
A rapidly growing sponsorless strategy
Comprised of 18 employees, and already active internationally through investments completed in Switzerland (Redslim) and in the Netherlands (OneXillium), the Andera Acto team now structures its international development around a network of local Senior Advisors. These experts are responsible for identifying, qualifying and supporting managerial accretion opportunities, in alignment with the economic, legal and cultural characteristics of each market.
This dynamic was launched in Belgium with the appointment of Serge Prosman in April of 2025, marking the first phase of this deployment.
Its continued development is enabled by the strong momentum of the Andera Acto V fund, currently fundraising and having secured already more than €800 million with more than €100 million invested
A project in line with the global strategy of Andera Partners
This international deployment of Andera Acto is in line with the global strategy of Andera Partners, which seeks to strengthen its presence on the European markets with strong growth potential.
“These appointments show our will to support entrepreneurial managers throughout Europe, with innovative financing solutions and a large operational proximity. The demand for sponsorless activity goes beyond France, and we would like to respond with ambition”, notes Stéphane Bergez, Partner in charge of Andera Acto and co-manager of Andera Partners.