Copenhagen, Denmark-based Danske Private Equity Partners is readying its fourth fund Danske PEP IV, a private equity fund of funds.

The firm has reportedly held a first close at €521million (US$810 million) for the fund, which is expected to surpass its €600 million (US$933 million) target.

DPEP IV will invest in small and mid-market buyout funds in Western Europe and North America. The firm believes that small and mid-sized companies “offer scope for significant strategic and operating improvements, and that inefficiencies exist in the market for such companies.”