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Vestar Capital Partners, a stalwart in the middle-market private equity landscape, has successfully closed a $1.2 billion single-asset continuation fund, as announced on Tuesday. Advised by the esteemed law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP, the fund aims to bolster the firm's ongoing investment in Circana, a leading market research company.

Pioneering Growth and Investment Strategies

Dan O'Connell, founder and CEO of Vestar, expressed his enthusiasm about the new fund: "We're excited to reaffirm our support of Circana and its management team through this innovative transaction, which will provide important new committed capital for growth and investment." O'Connell highlighted the dual benefit of the fund, offering existing investors a chance to liquidate their holdings at attractive returns or to roll their interests into the new vehicle, while also incorporating new investors into the Vestar family.

Vestar Closes $1.2B Continuation Fund : Lead Investors and Strategic Partnerships

The continuation fund saw significant backing from Blackstone Strategic Partners and HarbourVest Partners, both counseled respectively by Proskauer Rose LLP and Sidley Austin LLP. This strategic infusion of capital underscores the robust confidence in Circana’s future prospects and Vestar’s adept management.

Circana, renowned as a leading advisor in deciphering consumer behavior complexities, partners with global giants such as McDonald's, Sephora, 7-Eleven, and PepsiCo. Utilizing advanced technology and analytics, Circana provides over 7,000 brands and retailers worldwide with comprehensive insights into market and consumer dynamics.

Vestar Closes $1.2B Continuation Fund : A Testament to Successful Collaboration

Patrick Jennings, Managing Director at Blackstone Strategic Partners, praised the collaborative efforts: "Circana, including the Vestar team, has done an incredible job building a mission-critical partner for the world’s leading and most innovative brands and retailers across a broad range of industries." He noted that partnering with Vestar to propel Circana's next growth phase aligns seamlessly with Blackstone's strategic investment ethos, focused on information services and custom liquidity solutions.

A Strategic Merger and Strong Partnerships

Circana emerged from the 2022 merger between Information Resources Inc. and NPD Group, signaling a significant recapitalization led by Vestar alongside New Mountain Capital in 2018. The current ownership structure includes Hellman & Friedman, Vestar, and New Mountain Capital management, demonstrating a strong coalition backing Circana’s ambitious trajectory.

Dustin Willard, Managing Director at HarbourVest Partners, emphasized the transaction's significance, reflecting strong confidence in Circana's growth outlook: "We are excited to partner with Vestar on this significant transaction, which reflects our conviction on Circana’s promising future."

Vestar Closes $1.2B Continuation Fund : Legal Advisory Excellence

The legal prowess was evident with teams from Proskauer and Sidley providing critical support. The Proskauer team, led by Christopher Robinson, alongside specialists in mergers, acquisitions, and tax law, played a pivotal role. Similarly, the Sidley team, under the guidance of Nicholas Cassin, showcased its expertise across investment funds, mergers, acquisitions, capital markets, and ERISA law.

Vestar’s closure of this $1.2 billion continuation fund not only reaffirms its commitment to Circana but also strengthens its position in the market, promising an exciting future for both Vestar and Circana under this expanded strategic partnership.