3i Acquires SFK Finance Oy in Finland

3i Group PLC
18 May 2000


3i Acquires SFK Finance Oy in Finland

3i Group plc, Europe's leading venture capital company, announces that it has
reached agreement to acquire SFK Finance Oy ('SFK Finance'), a leading venture
capital fund manager in the Finnish telecommunications, IT and environmental
technology sectors.  The agreement is conditional on receipt of merger
clearance from the Finnish Competition Authority.

The acquisition will be made by 3i International Holdings (a wholly owned
subsidiary of 3i Group plc), which has agreed to pay an initial consideration
of Euro 11.5 million (£6.96 million*) to acquire 100% of the issued share
capital of SFK Finance.  The consideration will comprise the payment of Euro
7.7 million (£4.66 million*) in cash at completion followed by three further
equal payments totalling Euro 3.8 million (£2.30 million*).  These three
further payments will be made in cash on the first, second and third
anniversaries of completion.  The vendors, who are all executives employed by
SFK Finance, have agreed to apply these payments in subscribing for up to 191,
739 new 3i Group plc shares which will be issued at a subscription price of
£12.10 per share.

Further consideration may become payable by 3i International Holdings by
reference to the value of the profit share received by SFK Finance from the
funds it manages.

* Euro/Pound Sterling rate of 15 May 2000 applied at £1.00 = Euro 1.6522.
* Euro/Pound Sterling rate of 15 May 2000 applied at £1.00 = Euro 1.6522.
* Euro/Pound Sterling rate of 15 May 2000 applied at £1.00 = Euro 1.6522.

It is intended that following completion SFK Finance will be renamed 3i
Finland. The current managing director of SFK Finance, Mr. Erkki Kariola, will
take management responsibility for 3i Finland. The addition of the office in
Helsinki increases 3i's network to 35 offices in Europe.

The move into Finland continues 3i's strategy of expanding its investment
network in key European markets. Alan MacKay, 3i plc managing director for the
Nordic region commented, 'The quality and track record of the SFK team will
provide 3i with an immediate market position in Finland. In addition to 3i's
global technology capabilities, 3i brings particular expertise to the Finnish
buyout market that we intend to replicate throughout the Nordic/ Scandinavian
markets. The acquisition of SFK clearly fits our strategic objectives of
expanding our European network and consolidating our position as a leading
European technology investor.'

Erkki Kariola added, 'SFK see the acquisition as an extremely exciting
development for its investment team, its investee companies and fund
investors. 3i is a global venture capital company and this will create
enormous opportunities in terms of exposure to international markets,
expertise and contacts.'

This is the second acquisition 3i has completed in continental Europe this
year having acquired Technologieholding in Germany in February.  Commenting on
the acquisition, Paul Waller, the 3i plc executive director responsible for
acquisitions said, 'We have been looking for the right opportunity in Finland
and SFK is a very good fit. We look forward to welcoming the SFK team to the
Group. We will continue to look for further strategic opportunities in the
Nordic/ Scandinavian region.'


Notes to Editors:
3i Group plc is Europe's leading venture capital company.  The Group invests
in ambitious, growing businesses in all sectors.  It provides funding for
start-up, growth, management buy-outs and management buy-ins.  Almost 1,000
companies from 3i's portfolio have achieved a stock market listing. 3i has 35
offices throughout Europe, two in Asia and two in the USA.  Overall, 3i has
invested almost £11 billion in over 13,200 businesses and currently has a
portfolio of investments in around 3,000 companies.

SFK Finance Oy is an independent and privately owned Finnish venture capital
company established in 1991. SFK has led and managed venture capital
investments in 86 growth companies, of which 50 remain in the portfolio. SFK
manages four funds totalling ?115 million making it one of the largest
technology investors in the Nordic countries. SFK specialises in growth
companies in telecommunications, software, electronics and information
technology, as well as, in environmental technology and systems and equipment
for the forestry industry. SFK has 9 investment executives and 2 technology
analysts.


For further information, please contact:            
                                                    
3i Finland (SFK Finance) (Helsinki): Erkki Kariola/ 
Douwe Cosijn                                        - [phone]
                                                    
PR Agency Pohjoisranta (Helsinki): Anu Oksanen      - [phone]
                                                    
3i plc (London): Liz Hewitt                         - [phone]