People 12-09-02

Luca di Montezemolo, chairman and CEO of Ferrari SPA, has launched a private equity fund targeting consumer goods and media companies. The fund, which has no relationahip with the Ferrari corporation, reportedly has already received backing from Deutsche Bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena and Unicredito Italiano. The fund, named Charme, is being launched with $110 million, and hopes to raise up to $150 million over the next year.

Paul Sekhri has been named a partner for health care technology investments at the Sprout Group. Sekhri most recently served as senior vice president and headed global search and evaluation at Novartis Pharma AG. In the 1990s, Sekhri held senior management positions at biotechnology companies, including Millipore Corp.

David Grain has joined General Catalyst Partners as an entrepreneur in residence. In this capacity, Grain will focus on identifying new investment opportunities and supporting strategic business development initiatives in the areas of digital cable, billing, service management and new media. Grain formerly served as the senior executive responsible for operating AT&T Broadbandís New England Region.