The move is the first by Armen to target the buyout space of private equity.

Armen, a European firm that buys stakes in investment businesses, has acquired a minority holding in Vendis Capital, a consumer-focused buyout firm. 

This transaction marks the fifth investment of Armen GP Stakes Fund I and the first transaction in the buyout space. It also sheds light on how private equity firms are raising capital from other investment entities in Europe.

Vendis, which is based in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany and the Nordics, has more than €1.1 billion ($1.23 billion) in assets; it recently closed its latest fund, Vendis IV, at €525 million. Vendis was founded in 2009 by Michiel Deturck and Cedric Olbrechts, who were later joined by Vincent Braams.

Armen aims to support Vendis' growth by enabling its management team to invest “significantly” in the next fund, according to a statement from Armen late last week.

"This fifth investment once again illustrates the acceleration of the European GP stakes market. Faced with growing capital needs, management companies see minority GP Stakes sale as a strategic and high-potential financing solution," Catherine Haumesser, managing director of Armen UK, said.

The transaction, which has been signed, will become effective upon completion of the closing. The financial sum involved wasn’t disclosed.

Armen is approved by Autorité des Marchés Financiers, the French regulator, as a portfolio management firm; it also holds the status of Exempt Reporting Advisor with the SEC in the US.