iLevel Solutions Announces Commercial and Strategic Relationships with The Carlyle Group and Duff & Phelps (NYSE: DUF)

NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- iLevel Solutions, a leading provider of private equity software and reporting solutions, today announced that The Carlyle Group and Duff & Phelps have selected iLevel's Portfolio Management Platform. The Carlyle Group, a global alternative asset manager, has selected iLevel to help automate the collection, analysis and reporting of financial performance information. Duff & Phelps, a leading provider of financial advisory and investment banking services, has selected iLevel to enhance its technology valuation and analytics platform. In addition to these commercial relationships, iLevel also announced the closing of an additional round of funding led by Carlyle and Duff & Phelps to support the continued development of iLevel's suite of software products focused on the Alternative Investment Management and Valuation markets.  iLevel now boasts an investor base that includes The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX), The Carlyle Group, Duff & Phelps & Swift River Investments.

The Carlyle Group, which invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and Fund of Fund Solutions globally – sought a solution to facilitate timely, accurate data collection, and transparent reporting. Carlyle selected iLevel to provide a comprehensive technology platform to achieve greater visibility into their investments while providing greater transparency, speed, and frequency of reporting to their investors.

"iLevel's combination of technology and expertise will enable Carlyle to provide greater levels of transparency and more timely reporting to our investors while providing us with a platform that supports the continued growth of our business," said Adena Friedman, Chief Financial Officer of The Carlyle Group, who is joining iLevel's Board of Directors. She added, "This will better enable us to demonstrate the significant and positive impact our portfolio companies have on the economies in which we invest. In addition to being a client, we are excited to partner with iLevel and support their leadership team's growth agenda."

Duff & Phelps' Alternative Asset Advisory segment specializes in the valuation of complex and illiquid investments.  The iLevel platform will enable Duff & Phelps to collect, analyze and report financial data more efficiently from a growing number of private equity and hedge fund clients.  Duff & Phelps selected iLevel to provide a solution that will further differentiate its market-leading approach to estimating, monitoring and supporting fair value conclusions.

"iLevel's technology will enhance Duff & Phelps' ability to deliver higher quality valuation analytics to our clients, while also providing us with a platform for developing and delivering additional services," stated Jacob Silverman of Duff & Phelps, who is also joining iLevel's Board of Directors.  "As a client and an investor, we believe strongly that iLevel's offerings are key to bringing greater transparency and consistency to the alternative asset marketplace." 

The iLevel platform was incubated within Blackstone and spun out as an independent company in June, 2010. Harry Moseley, Chief Information Officer of The Blackstone Group and iLevel Board Member, stated, "We are delighted that The Carlyle Group and Duff & Phelps will be taking advantage of iLevel's best-in-class portfolio management platform to enhance information transparency and reporting.  As investors, both firms bring extensive industry-specific experience to iLevel and will play a key role in the future development of the company."

Rick Kushel, CEO of iLevel Solutions, said, "Carlyle and Duff & Phelps join a growing number of firms that are looking to achieve new levels of transparency, visibility and accountability. In addition to having both firms as iLevel clients, we are extremely happy to have the support of these accomplished and highly respected firms to help drive the next phase of iLevel's aggressive growth plans."

About The Carlyle Group

The Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset manager with more than $153 billion of assets under management across 86 funds and 49 fund of fund vehicles as of June 30, 2011. Carlyle invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and Fund of Funds Solutions – in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Carlyle has developed expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,100 people in 34 offices across six continents. For more information please visit www.carlyle.com.

About Duff & Phelps

As a leading global provider of financial advisory and investment banking services, Duff & Phelps balances analytical skills, deep market insight and independence to help clients make sound decisions. The firm provides expertise in the areas of valuation, transactions, financial restructuring, alternative assets, disputes and taxation, with more than 1,200 employees serving clients from offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Investment banking services in the United States are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. M&A Advisory services in the United Kingdom and Germany are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd. Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd. is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Investment banking services in France are provided by Duff & Phelps SAS. For more information, visit www.duffandphelps.com. (NYSE: DUF)

About iLevel Solutions

iLevel Solutions' Portfolio Management Platform is an innovative, highly secure Software-as-a-Service technology solution that automates the collection, storage, collaboration, analysis, and reporting of portfolio data.  iLevel provides the seamless platform that integrates all information for GPs and LPs to monitor investments, prepare and report valuations, and exchange information. This comprehensive, end-to-end platform serves as the backbone to completely integrate reporting, analytical tools, and dynamic information sharing, and includes components for Private Equity, Real Estate, Debt, and LP Reporting.  For more information, please visit www.ilevelsolutions.com.

SOURCE iLevel Solutions