After the success of the inaugural Private Equity Awards in 2007, unquote” is delighted to announce its second Deutsche unquote” Private Equity Awards.

The Congress will be followed by a drinks reception and the Deutsche Private Equity Awards ceremony.

Designed to act as a showcase of excellence in the DACH market, the awards will reward innovation and flair by those who have contributed tangible and measurable success within their sector of the industry in 2007.

The winners in the six categories will be decided upon by an audit of data from the region, plus a prestigious panel of independent advisers who will be guiding the judging process. And with competition hotting up between the region’s key players, everyone will want to know whose successes will be rewarded on the night.

This year’s award categories are:

• Law Firm of the Year
• Debt Provider of the Year
• Due Diligence Specialist of the Year
• Small / Mid-cap Exit of the Year
• Venture Capital Exit of the Year
• Corporate Financier of the Year

The award categories, as outlined below, definitively cover the entire private equity cycle and will reward innovation and flair by teams that have contributed tangible and measurable success within their sector of the industry in 2007.

Awards Categories

Specific criteria which the judges will be looking for in each category is listed below and looks at the period between July 1 2007 and June 30 2008.

Law Firm of the Year
This award is open to law firms active in the DACH private equity area (either in fund construction or transaction services), which have demonstrated consistent excellence.

Key criteria the judges will be looking for include efficiency of execution, sector knowledge, advisory and negotiating skills, value-adding capability, vision and the overall development of the business.
Additionally for this category, the judges will look for evidence the division has provided novel advice to clients (citing aspects of specific deals within the year).

Debt Provider of the Year
This award acknowledges the tailoring of debt packages for buyouts throughout the year and is open to both senior and subordinated debt providers. The judges will be looking for outstanding execution skills, market knowledge and value-add.

Additionally for this category, the judges will look for evidence the division has brought innovative and tailored products to the market, either alongside a sponsor or independently (citing aspects of specific deals within the year).

Due Diligence Specialist of the Year
This award is open to DACH-based firms across all disciplines that serve the private equity industry such as environmental, technical or financial market due diligence specialists. It recognises professionalism, thought-leadership and the ability to consistently add value.

Additionally for this category, the judges will be looking for evidence the division has provided novel advice to clients (citing aspects of specific deals within the year) and proof that the private equity practice has grown (for example, the division’s growth in terms of size, number and value of deals done)

Small / Mid-cap Exit of the Year
This award is open to all buyout houses with a DACH-focus that completed an exit between July 1 2007 and June 30 2008 for a deal whose entry value was worth less than EUR250m. The category recognises clear leadership in this particular segment of the market. The winning group will have demonstrated excellence across all stages of the investment cycle from deal origination and execution to proactive portfolio management and exits (including returns information).

Additionally for this category, the judges will look for evidence the sponsor has added value to the target company. More than one deal may be submitted.

Venture Capital Exit of the Year
This award is open to all venture capital firms with a DACH-focus that completed an exit between July 1 2007 and June 30 2008. The category recognises clear leadership in this particular segment of the market. The winning group will have demonstrated excellence across all stages of the investment cycle from deal origination and execution to proactive portfolio management and exits (including returns information).

Additionally for this category, the judges will look for evidence the sponsor has added value to the target company. More than one deal may be submitted.

Corporate Financier of the Year
This award is open to law firms active in the DACH private equity area which have demonstrated consistent excellence.

Key criteria the judges will be looking for include efficiency of execution, sector knowledge, advisory and negotiating skills, value-adding capability, vision and the overall development of the business.
Additionally for this category, the judges will look for evidence the division has provided novel advice to clients (citing aspects of specific deals within the year).

To enter, please download the appropriate form and return it completed, along with a statement on why you should win (up to 500 words). All entries must be received in full by Friday, 12 September. Please send them to Mareen Goebel at mareen.goebel@incisivemedia.com

Entry Form - Advisors
Entry Form - Debt
Entry Form - Small-Mid Cap Exit
Entry Form - Venture Exit

The awards will follow the 2008 unquote" Deutsche Private Equity Congress are free to attend, click here to register your place.