French buyout firm Qualium Investissement is set to close above target for its latest fund after less than a year on the road. The success has been marked by a change in strategy by the firm, which has moved to diversify its funding commitments away from its state-backed parent Caisse des Dépôts.

According to two people familiar with the situation, Qualium will close above its €500m hardcap for its sixth buyout fund following significant investor demand early in 2011. The firm bought its fund to market in January, holding a first close of about €450m during the summer.