The Executives of Ethos’ Mid Market Fund and Ethos Private Equity said that the mid-market team is spinning out, to form a new independent private equity fund manager – Infinite Partners. 

Infinite Partners will commence independent operations and capital raising to focus on a wider spectrum of investment strategies.

Whilst Infinite Partners is a new entity, it comes with significant track record and heritage – cementing its place in the regional private equity market. 

The founding Partners – comprising Edward Pitsi (CEO), Titi Sekhukhune (Partner), and Tabane Matheolane (Partner) have worked together for over ten years, sharing a cohesive culture and investment approach.

They successfully led or jointly led 10 portfolio company investments, plus played meaningful roles on four exits, across other funds. 

Anchored in South Africa, Infinite Partners sees considerable opportunity to invest multi-strategy funds to span the African continent and beyond. 

Edward Pitsi, Infinite Partner’s CEO, said: “The team and I shared an ambition to be more independent and pursue diverse investment strategies, including long dated capital. This desire is reflected in our name – Infinite Partners." 

“Beyond our commitment to existing portfolio investments, we are well poised to commence the process of speaking with  investors to realise a number of new fund mandates which will incorporate long-dated capital, traditional, and specialist funds.”

Infinite Partners will continue to manage Ethos Mid Market Fund I, which raised R2.5bn in capital commitments in 2018.

Founding partner, Titi Sekhunkhune, said: “We remain committed to serving the investors who backed us in Ethos Mid Market Fund I. To this end, we will continue partnering with the management teams of the Fund I portfolio companies to achieve our shared ambitions, for the ultimate benefit of all stakeholders.  We are also excited about the prospect of building an innovative business and making a valuable contribution to the alternative asset management industry in South Africa and beyond.”

Ethos will continue to support the Fund’s governance, and the team is committed to optimising outcomes for all stakeholders. Ethos will own 25% of Infinite Partners and have board representation.

Stuart MacKenzie, Ethos CEO, said: This initiative is a continuation of Ethos’ long history of supporting black-owned managers. We remain committed to growing the local private equity industry and we will continue to invest in South Africa through multiple, complimentary strategies. At the same time, Ethos is a multi-fund platform with a significant presence across Africa and it will continue to pursue growth and diversification opportunities for its product offering and geographic footprint.”