• $800M Raised: Ara Infrastructure Fund I exceeded its $500M target, attracting global institutional capital.
• Strategic Focus: Targets mid-market infrastructure to drive decarbonization through both new development and repurposing of legacy assets.
• Active Deployment: Fund already holds 12 operational assets across North America and Europe with three completed investments and a fourth underway.

Ara Partners has closed its inaugural infrastructure fund, raising over $800 million, surpassing its $500 million target. The capital supports its Ara Infrastructure strategy, aimed at transforming the industrial economy through decarbonized infrastructure investments.

The fund drew backing from both existing and new institutional investors, including pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, and foundations across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific.

Led by industry veterans George Yong and Teresa O’Flynn, Ara Infrastructure focuses on mid-market assets aligned with the global energy transition. These include both the development of new infrastructure and the repurposing of high-value legacy assets for a lower carbon economy.

“We are incredibly proud of this milestone and grateful for the robust support from our investors,” said Teresa O’Flynn, Partner and Co-Head of Infrastructure.
“This Fund enables us to pursue a generational investment opportunity across Europe and North America, characterized by increasing energy and industrial demand, a move towards decentralized energy systems, as well as the need to ensure an economic path toward a lower carbon economy.”

Since launching in 2022, Ara Infrastructure has already completed three investments, with a fourth commitment expected shortly, bringing its portfolio to 12 operational assets across North America and Europe. Key portfolio companies include:

• Lincoln – A terminal services provider with a presence in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S.
• USD Clean Fuels – A renewable fuel feedstock and biofuel logistics developer on the U.S. West Coast.
• Natural World Products – An organics recycler in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, managing 330,000+ tonnes of household waste annually.

RELATED ARTICLE: JICA and ADB Join Forces: $1.5 Billion Investment in LEAP 2 Fund for Sustainable Infrastructure

“Ara’s builder capabilities and DNA ideally position us to navigate the disjointed, yet opportunity-rich, world of middle-market sustainable infrastructure,” said George Yong, Partner and Co-Head of Infrastructure.
“Companies in our target sectors seek more than just a capital provider; we believe our in-house operational capabilities make us a value-add partner of choice.”

The fund aims to deliver strong risk-adjusted returns while maintaining classic infrastructure fundamentals.

Rede Partners served as placement agent, and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal counsel for the fund formation.

Follow ESG News on LinkedIn