London-listed buyout group 3i, which is winding up its early-stage venture capital business, invested almost two thirds more in the past 11 months compared to the same period a year before, despite difficult market conditions.

3i, which focuses on mid-market transactions, invested £2.2bn (€2.8bn) in the 11 months to the end of February, compared to £1.3bn over the same period a year earlier.