ECS Capital

    PE / VC·Est. 2006

    ABOUT ECS CAPITAL

    ECS Capital is a Lisbon-based private equity and restructuring firm founded in 2006, managing approximately €1B and acquired by Davidson Kempner in 2022. Rather than traditional venture capital, ECS Capital operates growth and restructuring funds across multiple sectors, with a portfolio heavily weighted toward Portuguese real estate and hospitality assets. Its holdings include Iberwind, I2S, JJW, Viva Marinha, Madeira Hotels, Vale do Lobo, and the Palácio do Governador Hotel, alongside a series of realised exits such as La Vie Funchal, Torres de Lisboa, Campo Pequeno 81, Porto Prime, Terras de Murches, Cascade, the Hilton Vilamoura & Garden and Hilton Porto Gaia, and the Conrad Hotel & Apartments. The firm targets companies with proven revenue seeking expansion or turnaround capital at the growth stage. ECS Capital is led by CEO Manuel Noronha Andrade, with João Pereira Martins as CFO and David Santos as Managing Director, managing recovered assets and hospitality real estate across Portugal and Madeira.

    INVESTMENT THESIS

    Growth-stage PE investor across multiple sectors. Targets companies with proven revenue seeking expansion capital.

    INVESTMENT DETAILS

    AUM / FUND SIZE€1B
    OPEN TO LPsStructurally yes — between funds
    STAGES
    Growth
    SECTORS
    Multi-sector
    PORTFOLIO
    JJWLa Vie FunchalEXITEDI2SEIPA2EXITEDChamartín PortfolioFPM41EXITEDViva MarinhaMadeira HotelsIberwindNewvisionTorres de LisboaEXITEDCampo Pequeno 81EXITEDPorto PrimeEXITEDTerras de MurchesEXITEDHilton Vilamoura & GardenEXITEDCascadeEXITEDHilton Porto GaiaEXITEDSalgadosConrad Hotel & ApartmentsEXITEDPalácio do Governador HotelVale do Lobo
    FOUNDED2006
    NOTESPrivate equity / restructuring; acquired by Davidson Kempner 2022; not traditional VC

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What stage does ECS Capital invest at?

    ECS Capital invests at Growth stage.

    What sectors does ECS Capital invest in?

    ECS Capital focuses on Multi-sector.

    Where is ECS Capital based?

    ECS Capital is a PE / VC based in Lisbon, Portugal, founded in 2006.

    Who are the partners at ECS Capital?

    Key people at ECS Capital include Manuel Noronha Andrade (CEO), João Pereira Martins (CFO), David Santos (Managing Director).

    What companies has ECS Capital invested in?

    ECS Capital's portfolio includes JJW, La Vie Funchal, I2S, EIPA2, Chamartín Portfolio, FPM41, Viva Marinha, Madeira Hotels, among others.

    How much does ECS Capital manage?

    ECS Capital manages €1B in assets / fund commitments.

    Can I invest in ECS Capital's funds as an external investor?

    ECS Capital raises its funds from external investors (LPs). No open subscription window is publicly announced right now — prospective LPs are typically onboarded when the next fund is raised.

    How do I contact or pitch ECS Capital?

    You can reach ECS Capital via their website (ecs.pt). You can also submit your startup through Portugal VC's pitch tool to be forwarded to matching investors.