Global private markets investment firm Northleaf Capital Partners has provided an A$100 million ($67 million) credit facility to Australian fintech company Butn. In a separate development, Proterra Asia has made its first investment in Laos, through Proterra Asia Food Fund 3.
Northleaf’s funds provide $66m credit facility to Butn
Global private markets investment firm Northleaf Capital Partners has provided an A$100 million ($67 million) credit facility to Australian fintech company Butn.
The funding is structured as an asset-backed first lien credit facility—i.e Northleaf’s loan is secured by Butn’s underlying assets and holds top priority for repayment in case of default.
Headquartered in Melbourne, ASX-listed Butn specialises in factoring and supply chain finance, helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access cash tied up in unpaid invoices or supply chain transactions. By providing upfront funds against future payments, these solutions enable businesses to manage their working capital.
Butn has funded over $2 billion to Australian businesses so far.
“Northleaf’s investment in Butn is a strong addition to our asset-based specialty finance portfolio,” said David Ross, Managing Director & Head of Private Credit at Northleaf. “This investment underscores Northleaf’s focus on strategies that aim to provide downside protection and low correlation to the broader market, while delivering attractive, risk-adjusted returns to our investors.”
Northleaf’s private credit program seeks to provide investors with diversified exposure to private credit investments globally, with a focus on floating rate loans to middle market companies and specialty finance platforms in North America, the UK, Europe and Australia.
Northleaf Capital Partners is a global private markets investment firm with more than $28 billion in private equity, private credit and infrastructure commitments raised to date.
Proterra Asia backs blueberry cultivation project in Paksong
Proterra Investment Partners Asia (Proterra Asia) has made its first investment in Laos, through Proterra Asia Food Fund 3 (PAFF3), backing a new blueberry cultivation project in Paksong, according to an announcement.
The greenfield investment expands the firm’s Southeast Asia footprint and follows its recently announced investment in Lanna Agro Industry Co., Ltd. (LACO), Thailand’s largest frozen edamame exporter.
Proterra Asia has partnered with a team of seasoned berry industry professionals based in China, Mekong Blue Singapore (MBS), and its wholly-owned subsidiary Mekong Blue Laos (MBL).
Based in southern Laos, the project will develop a high-quality, export-oriented blueberry operation to meet rising demand for healthy, premium fresh produce across the region.
The investment fits with the long-held investment thesis of Proterra Asia, tapping into a category that is experiencing rising consumer demand.
Proterra Asia will support MBS with access to its network of regional distribution partners and implementation of strong corporate governance practices. The project aims to leverage an integrated value chain to drive rapid, sustainable, growth by 2030, with flexibility for future re-investments as the business grows.
This marks the 14th investment from PAFF3, building on the firm’s active portfolio across the region.
