Category Archives: News

padoa Announces Strategic Growth Investment from Thoma Bravo’s Europe Fund Alongside Co-Founders and Existing Shareholders, Five Arrows and Kamet Ventures

Thomabravo

PARIS, France – padoa, the European leader in occupational health, safety and prevention software, today announced a strategic growth investment from Thoma Bravo, the world’s largest software-focused investment firm. The investment is being made through Thoma Bravo’s Europe Fund, with significant participation from padoa’s co-founders and existing shareholders Five Arrows, the alternative assets arm of Rothschild & Co, and Kamet Ventures.

padoa is one of the leading next-generation prevention platforms dedicated to occupational health centres, employers, and employees. Its products enable more effective service delivery, health prevention, and compliance amid increasing structural and regulatory requirements.

This investment is designed to accelerate padoa’s mission to improve the health of millions of people and enable padoa to further invest in AI capabilities, customer service, international expansion, particularly in the DACH region, and product innovation.

Cédric Mathorel, Co-Founder, President and CEO of padoa, said: “We are excited to welcome Thoma Bravo as a new partner at a pivotal moment in padoa’s journey. As we accelerate our international expansion and navigate one of the most significant technological shifts our industry has ever experienced with the emergence of AI, we believe Thoma Bravo’s expertise will help us scale faster, innovate further, and continue delivering category-leading software to occupational health professionals across Europe.

At the same time, this new chapter is built on continuity. I would like to sincerely thank Five Arrows and Kamet for their unwavering support over the years and for renewing their confidence in padoa by continuing this adventure alongside us. Their commitment, together with our founders and management team, reflects a shared conviction in the strength of our mission and our long-term vision.”

Irina Hemmers, Partner, and David Tse, Principal at Thoma Bravo, said: “padoa is a compelling addition to our European partnerships, and we see a significant opportunity to support the company as demand for better care and supportive technology accelerates across Europe. This strategic growth investment reflects our continued commitment to backing the strongest software companies in the region and supporting them in becoming European champions.”

Stéphane Guinet, Chairman of Kamet Ventures, said: “As venture builders, we are incredibly proud to have conceived, incubated, and helped scale padoa alongside its outstanding founding team from day one. Having established itself as a leading technology platform for occupational health, padoa is exceptionally well positioned for its next chapter. We are more excited than ever about the company’s future and delighted to partner with Thoma Bravo to support its continued growth and ambition.”

Jean-Daniel Bertoncini, Partner at Five Arrows, added: “We are proud to have supported padoa’s talented founders and team through an exceptional growth journey over the past four years. We are strong believers in padoa’s mission to enable occupational health professionals to protect workers’ well-being through technology solutions that are both effective and easy to use. We are excited to partner with Thoma Bravo to fuel padoa’s ambition of bringing world-class AI into occupational health centres.”

Thoma Bravo has been investing in Europe for 15 years, having deployed over €14 billion of equity across 17 transactions in the region. Its dedicated €1.8 billion Europe Fund, which closed in 2025, focuses on middle-market software businesses across core European markets, with the goal of supporting founders and management teams in scaling their businesses into European industry leaders. Since 2023, the European team has made four investments across the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden, including the €400m take-private of EQS Group and growth investments in USU, Hypergene and LOGEX.

About padoa

Founded in 2016, padoa is a leading occupational health technology platform in France, serving occupational health services, healthcare professionals, employers, and employees through a fully integrated digital ecosystem. The company’s mission is to equip occupational health professionals with the best technology, enabling better prevention, improved care pathways, and healthier workplaces. Today, padoa supports millions of employees and thousands of healthcare professionals, helping transform occupational health through innovation, efficiency, and collaboration. Guided by a strong purpose and values-driven culture, padoa is committed to shaping the future of occupational health in France and across Europe. Learn more at padoa.fr.

About Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is the world’s largest software-focused investment firm, with more than $172 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026. Partnering with some of the world’s most sophisticated investors, Thoma Bravo’s private equity and private credit platforms reflect a focused investment strategy, supported by disciplined execution, deep sector expertise and leadership continuity. Over the past 20-plus years, Thoma Bravo has acquired or invested in approximately 590 software and technology companies, representing approximately $320 billion of aggregate enterprise value (including control and non-control investments, as well as add-on acquisitions).  Learn more at thomabravo.com and on LinkedIn.

About Five Arrows

Five Arrows is the alternative assets arm of Rothschild & Co and has €33 billion in assets under management1, with offices in Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Luxembourg.

With €13 billion of assets under management1, the corporate private equity business of Five Arrows is focused on investing in companies with strong management teams; business models with high visibility of organic unit volume growth and strong unit economics; and multiple operational levers that can be used to unlock latent value. Sectors are limited to healthcare, data and software, and technology-enabled business services.

For more information, please visit https://www.rothschildandco.com/en/five-arrows/corporate-private-equity/

Five Arrows Managers (USA) LLC is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about Five Arrows Managers (USA) LLC, including our investment strategies, fees and objectives is available upon request.

Categories: News

Tags:

Main Capital Partners closes landmark €5.25bn dual fundraise in under six months

Main Capital Partners

Main Capital Partners, a specialized European Enterprise Software investor, announces today that Main Capital IX and Main Foundation III have together closed over €5.25 billion in commitments, marking the largest private equity buyout fundraising initiative ever in the Netherlands.

  • Main Capital IX and Main Foundation III have secured €5.25 billion in commitments in the final closing, reaching their hard caps of €4 billion and €1.25 billion, respectively, and marking the largest private equity buyout fundraising initiative ever in the Netherlands.
  • The two funds represent a more than twofold increase over predecessor funds Main Capital VIII and Main Foundation II and increase Main’s total Assets under Management to over €12 billion.
  • Main’s existing LP base demonstrated strong continued conviction, reflected in a re-up rate exceeding 120%.
  • With these new funds, Main plans to expand into the United Kingdom, alongside its core markets in the Benelux, DACH, Nordics, France, and North America.
  • The level of investor commitments highlights Main’s ability to capture AI-driven growth opportunities in the Enterprise Software industry, supported by the firm’s consistent performance and more than 20 years of lower mid-market specialization, despite a challenging fundraising and geopolitical environment.

The Hague, June 24, 2026 – Main Capital Partners, a specialized European Enterprise Software investor, announces today that Main Capital IX and Main Foundation III have together closed over €5.25 billion in commitments. Main Capital IX closed at a hard cap of €4 billion and Main Foundation III reached a hard cap of €1.25 billion, together representing a more than twofold increase over their predecessor funds and increasing Main’s total Assets under Management to over €12 billion. Both funds were oversubscribed, reflecting sustained and growing investor demand for Main’s highly differentiated lower mid-market Enterprise Software strategy.

In line with prior fundraises, Main received continued support from its existing LP base, with a re-up rate exceeding 120%. Alongside re-ups from existing investors such as Hamilton Lane, both funds also attracted meaningful new commitments from a broadened global institutional investor base. New investors primarily came from the United States, Asia, and the Middle East, and comprised sovereign wealth funds, public pension funds, and insurance companies, including reputable names such as the State Teachers’ Retirement System of Ohio, the Korean Teachers’ Credit Union, and AkademikerPension. The pace and scale of commitments secured, despite a continued challenging fundraising environment and geopolitical tensions, reflect Main’s consistently strong investment performance and its more than 20-year specialization in lower mid-market Enterprise Software buyouts. Over the course of its history, Main has realized 38 exits with a weighted average gross return of 4.7x and a loss rate well below 0.5%.

Main will continue to execute on its proven lower mid-market Enterprise Software strategy, investing equity tickets between €5 and €150 million in profitable, resilient software businesses and building these into larger, scalable cross-border software groups through a combination of organic growth and targeted M&A. Main will maintain its deep focus on its core geographies — Benelux, DACH, the Nordics, France, and North America — and, as a meaningful strategic expansion, will begin actively pursuing platform investments in the United Kingdom with these new funds. The UK represents one of Europe’s most dynamic and mature Enterprise Software markets, and Main’s local operational model and sector expertise position it well to build lasting relationships with software founders and entrepreneurs in that market.

Main is acutely focused on the profound transformation that artificial intelligence is bringing to the Enterprise Software industry. AI is rapidly reshaping how software is built, sold, and scaled, creating a new frontier of growth opportunities across Main’s core product-markets, from HealthTech and GovTech to Infrastructure and PropTech. Main’s proprietary Market Intelligence & Performance Excellence capabilities, combined with an active portfolio of over 55 Enterprise Software companies, position the firm well to identify where AI is generating durable value and to support portfolio companies in embedding AI into their products and operations. Main believes that the convergence of consolidation dynamics and AI-driven innovation makes the current environment one of the most compelling for Enterprise Software investing in the firm’s two-decade history.

We believe AI is unlocking a new wave of growth and value creation opportunities, and Main’s deep sector expertise, proprietary data capabilities, and disciplined operational approach position the firm well to capture this opportunity for our portfolio companies and our investors alike.”

– Charly Zwemstra, Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Main

Charly Zwemstra, Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Main, said: “Main was among the first movers in European software buyouts, and for more than two decades we have built an unrivalled track record of creating larger, more resilient software groups from the lower mid-market. Securing commitments for Main Capital IX and Main Foundation III of over €5 billion is a powerful validation of our strategy and of the enduring trust that our LP base places in us. We stand at an inflection point for the Enterprise Software industry: we believe AI is unlocking a new wave of growth and value creation opportunities, and Main’s deep sector expertise, proprietary data capabilities, and disciplined operational approach position the firm well to capture this opportunity for our portfolio companies and our investors alike.”

Jorn de Ruijter, Partner and Head of Fund Structuring & Investor Relations at Main, said: “The speed and scale at which we secured over €5 billion in commitments, surpassing our prior combined fundraise more than twofold, is a direct testament to Main’s long-term investment performance and the depth of our LP relationships. A re-up rate of more than 120% is something we are truly proud of; it reflects not just confidence in our track record, but genuine conviction in what we are building at Main. We are grateful to both our existing and new investors for their trust. With Main Capital IX and Main Foundation III, we are well-equipped to continue driving the consolidation in the fragmented European & US software markets, to expand into the United Kingdom, and to pursue the opportunities that AI is creating across the Enterprise Software industry.”

Main did not use a placement agent for the fundraising and Loyens & Loeff acted as legal counsel.

Nothing contained in this Press Release is intended to project, predict, guarantee, or forecast the future performance of any investment. This Press Release is for information purposes only and is not investment advice or an offer to buy or sell any securities or to invest in any funds or other investment vehicles managed by Main Capital Partners or any other person.

Categories: News

Tags:

The New Salary.com Launches Max: Autonomous Agents and Real-Time Market Intelligence for the AI Era of Compensation Management

AKKR Logo

WALTHAM, Mass., March 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Salary.com,  the global leader in compensation data, software, and AI, unveiled a new brand identity alongside its new Max model, a purpose-built AI that brings autonomous agents and real-time market intelligence into compensation workflows. Built on Salary.com’s proprietary ontology, Max understands compensation data in context, delivering actionable, trustworthy intelligence for confident pay decisions. Max is the latest innovation in the CompAnalyst® AI Suite.

Founded in 1999, Salary.com built its reputation on structured compensation data and the CompAnalyst platform, which today supports more than 10,000 organizations in benchmarking jobs, building pay structures, managing merit increases, and more. Over nearly three decades, the company has expanded from a market data provider to enterprise-grade AI software, equipping HR and compensation professionals with autonomous agents, seamless integrations, and real-time market intelligence built for how comp teams actually work.

“AI is fundamentally shifting how organizations approach compensation. It’s not just changing how the work gets done — it’s doing the work itself. Companies that embrace this shift will make better, more timely pay decisions and build businesses that last,” said Yong Zhang, Chairman and CEO of Salary.com. “With 27 years of compensation data, technology, and expertise behind us, Max turns that depth into an advantage our customers can feel every day — autonomous agents that don’t just surface insights but execute complex tasks.”

Salary.com’s new brand identity reflects this evolution, and a broader vision for AI-powered compensation software and autonomous agents. The company’s mission hasn’t changed, but Max represents a fundamentally new way of delivering on it. Built on Salary.com’s proprietary ontology, Max connects salary surveys, aggregated market data, job posting signals, and enterprise software into a single intelligence layer that’s as actionable as it is insightful. Agents automate pre- and post-planning analysis, identify compression risks before a cycle begins, and generate practical narratives for HR leaders and managers — turning what used to take weeks of manual reconciliation into streamlined AI-driven workflows.

“Real-time intelligence isn’t optional for compensation professionals anymore, but too many decisions are still being made on stale data across disconnected sources,” said Chris Knize, SVP of Products at Salary.com. “The Max model changes that by bringing real-time, context-aware market intelligence directly into the workflows and benchmarking practices compensation professionals rely on every day. Unlike generic AI tools or text-analysis models that simply surface trends, Max understands the context — why one role is scoped differently than another, or why a competitor’s job posting may signal a pay adjustment before the next survey cycle. Our purpose-built AI doesn’t just inform decisions; it helps drive them.”

Max represents the beginning, not the destination. Salary.com’s roadmap extends the same AI foundation that has driven 27 years of innovation across the full compensation lifecycle. The vision is a single platform where every compensation decision is informed by the same connected ontology.

Compensation teams have long struggled with a fragmented, time-consuming process — jumping between multiple tools to gather market data, manually matching jobs, and still lacking confidence that their comparisons are accurate. Max eliminates that friction. What once took half a day can now be completed in minutes — with greater accuracy and defensibility.

“The CompAnalyst AI Suite is proving to be a valuable planning resource,” said Alma Sosa, Compensation Business Partner at Omaha Steaks. “It enables our team to work more efficiently and make more informed decisions, giving me confidence that Salary.com will continue to be a trusted partner as we improve how we approach compensation management.”

Rather than forcing compensation professionals to constantly catch up to a shifting market, the CompAnalyst AI Suite and the Max model are designed to keep them ahead of it.

About Salary.com

Founded in 1999, Salary.com helps organizations get pay right with a complete approach to compensation management. Built on a proprietary job ontology, Salary.com delivers AI software, data, and services that enable companies to define roles, benchmark jobs, manage pay structures, and make pay decisions built to last. More than 10,000 customers worldwide trust Salary.com, with insights powered by over 30,000 organizations across 140+ countries and spanning more than 20,000 leveled job titles.

Combining pragmatic innovation in artificial intelligence with deep human expertise, Salary.com helps organizations make precise pay decisions, build trust with employees, and compete in a changing world. For more information, visit www.salary.com

Categories: News

Tags:

Cegeka acquires cybersecurity specialist 3Point

No Comments
GIMV
Cegeka acquires cybersecurity specialist 3Point to accelerate leadership in defense and public safety environments.

Cegeka today announced that it has acquired 3Point, a Belgium-based cybersecurity and IT consulting company specialized in defense and public safety environments. Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed.

Hasselt, Belgium – June 23, 2026  This acquisition represents an important next step in Cegeka’s strategy to build a leading position in the defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure sectors. By combining 3Point’s deep expertise and strong track record in highly classified environments with Cegeka’s scale and execution power, the company is significantly strengthening its ability to support these sectors in addressing increasingly complex, mission-critical challenges.

As geopolitical tensions rise and investments in defense and public safety accelerate across Europe, Cegeka is positioning itself as a long-term partner for governments and critical organizations, capable of designing, securing, and operating the digital backbone of the most sensitive environments.

Advancing Cegeka’s position in defense and high-security environments
Koen Deryckere, CEO of Cegeka, said: “This acquisition marks an important milestone in our strategy. We are building a leading position in defense, intelligence, and highly classified environments. Europe’s security and sovereignty increasingly depend on resilient digital infrastructure, and on partners who are trusted to protect it. With 3Point, we are building Cegeka’s position as a long-term partner for the defense, intelligence and public safety sectors, in the environments where trust and discretion matter most.”  

Headquartered in Antwerp, 3Point provides advisory and project-based services in security architecture, cyber defense operations, and customized IT solutions. The company also developed proprietary threat monitoring solutions, like Pointguard, that support organizations in protecting their critical infrastructure and operations.

3Point’s solution Pointguard will further strengthen Cegeka’s capabilities in pre-emptive threat monitoring. In today’s landscape, where cybersecurity threats are increasingly amplified by the use of AI, having comprehensive and up-to-date intelligence on potential attack vectors is critical. Pointguard enables advanced monitoring, including dark web analysis and threat hunting, allowing organizations to proactively detect and respond to cyber threats at an earlier stage.

Combining expertise and scale to address rising demand  
3Point has built a strong reputation in the Belgian defense and public safety ecosystem, operating in highly sensitive and classified environments and supporting key national initiatives.

With this acquisition, Cegeka gains immediate access to specialized expertise, security-cleared talent, and deep domain knowledge and experience in defense and public safety. At the same time, 3Point will benefit from Cegeka’s scale, operational backbone, and international footprint to further accelerate its growth.

The combination will enable both companies to better respond to the growing demand for large-scale, high-security IT and cybersecurity projects driven by increased investments in defense and critical infrastructure.

Scaling capabilities in defense, intelligence and space
Following the transaction, 3Point will work closely with Cegeka to further expand its Defense, Intelligence, and Space activities. The combined teams will focus on delivering complex, highly classified programs and supporting governments and organizations in safeguarding their most critical operations.

Brandon De Waele, Managing Director Defense, Intelligence & Space at Cegeka, says: “3Point brings exactly the capabilities we need to accelerate in this domain: deep technical expertise, the right security clearances, and strong credibility in highly classified environments. Together, we are uniquely positioned to support large-scale, mission-critical programs and to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of defense and public safety in Belgium and across Europe.” 

Paul Meys, Co-founder of 3Point: “This marks an important step in the next phase of 3Point’s growth. By joining forces with a partner like Cegeka, we gain the scale, reach, and complementary capabilities needed to further develop our expertise and support larger, more complex programs across critical environments. We remain fully committed to the same high standards of quality, independence, and close collaboration that our customers expect from us, while creating new opportunities for our people and our business to grow as part of a broader international platform.”

Stijn Haemhouts, Co-founder of 3Point: “For our clients, this combination strengthens our ability to deliver end-to-end support while preserving the trusted, specialist approach that has always defined 3Point. Our work often takes place in environments where reliability, security, and deep domain expertise are essential, and those principles will remain at the core of how we operate. With Cegeka, we will be able to broaden our offering, access additional expertise, and continue supporting our customers with the same commitment and proximity, now backed by the strength of a larger international group.” 

Categories: News

Tags:

CVC agrees sale of Fast Logistics Group in the Philippines

CVC Capital Partners

CVC is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to sell CVC Asia IV’s entire stake in Fast Logistics Group (“Fast”), the Philippines’ leading third-party logistics provider, to WLC Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned vehicle of the founding Chiongbian Family. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Founded in 1972, Fast is an integrated logistics provider, offering warehousing, transportation and distribution services to many of the country’s largest consumer and industrial companies. Today, Fast is the Philippines’ leading player operating across 98% of Philippine provinces, with the country’s largest warehousing network comprising approximately 160 dry warehouses and more than 1.9 million square metres of space. The company also operates the Philippines’ largest trucking fleet, with more than 2,500 vehicles, and the country’s largest FMCG distribution platform, serving over 120,000 stores nationwide.

CVC first invested in Fast in 2020, alongside the founding Chiongbian Family. During this successful five-year partnership, CVC supported the company’s expansion and professionalisation across several dimensions: strengthening the business development function and commercial capabilities; optimising procurement and operations across the transport and warehousing divisions; upgrading financial reporting and planning systems to improve visibility and decision-making; and modernising Fast’s technology infrastructure, including its transport and warehouse management systems and the introduction of a real-time Control Tower platform. The team also made a strategic decision to significantly expand Fast’s warehousing footprint, growing the network from approximately 100 to 160 dry warehouses through a mix of own-built sites and long-term leases. Today, the business is well-positioned for continued growth under the full ownership of the Chiongbian Family.

“Fast has built an exceptional platform and established itself as the clear leader in the Philippine logistics market,” said Brice Cu, Senior Managing Director at CVC. “Together with the Chiongbian Family and the management team, we have invested significantly in expanding the business and strengthening its capabilities. We are proud of what has been achieved during our partnership and believe Fast is very well-positioned for its next phase of growth.”

Quotes

We are proud of what has been achieved during our partnership and believe Fast is very well-positioned for its next phase of growth

Brice CuSenior Managing Director at CVC

William Chiongbian, CEO of Fast Logistics, added: “We would like to thank CVC for their partnership and support over the past five years. Together, we have significantly expanded our network, enhanced our service offering and strengthened our leadership position in the market. We are excited about the opportunities ahead as we continue to support our customers and drive the next stage of Fast’s development.”

Categories: News

Tags:

Gaming Laboratories International (GLI®) welcomes CVC Strategic Opportunities as its first external investor

CVC Capital Partners

Gaming Laboratories International (“GLI”) and CVC, a leading global investment firm, together announce that they have entered into a strategic partnership to support GLI’s continued growth and long-term development. CVC, through its long-duration investment platform Strategic Opportunities, has completed an investment into GLI and related entities. The investment by CVC will provide resources and expertise to enhance the capabilities and growth prospects of GLI while upholding the company’s history and culture of providing world-class services to the global gaming industry.

GLI is the global leader in testing, certification and cybersecurity services to the global gaming industry with over 1,500 employees globally servicing over 710 regulated gaming jurisdictions worldwide. Founded in 1989 by James Maida and Paul Magno, GLI is headquartered in Lakewood, New Jersey, USA.

James Maida, Chief Executive Officer of GLI, said, “We are truly excited and honored to welcome CVC as a strategic investment partner. CVC shares our vision, values, and long-term commitment to the global gaming industry. This partnership creates new opportunities for growth and innovation, allowing GLI to invest even more in the success of the future of the global gaming industry as well as investing in related and adjacent sectors. Our leadership, values, and culture focused on customer service remain unchanged. I will continue as CEO and our leadership team remains intact. Together we will stay focused on quality, speed and the customer experience while continuing to drive innovation and outstanding service worldwide.”

Matt Turner, Partner at CVC and GLI Board Member, added, “Within CVC Strategic Opportunities, we seek to partner with exceptional businesses that have histories of consistent success, strong market positions and significant long-term growth potential. GLI fits perfectly with that approach, as over nearly 40 years James and Paul have built GLI into the clear leader in its industry. The company plays a critical role in the global regulated gaming ecosystem and has established itself as a trusted partner to regulators, operators and suppliers around the world. This positions the business extremely well for continued growth, and we are looking forward to working alongside James and the talented team at GLI to support the company’s future success.”

Categories: News

Tags:

Ratos company HL Display has signed to acquire UFO Display Solutions

Ratos

HL Display has signed an agreement to acquire UFO Plastics and Displays Pty Ltd (”UFO Display Solutions”), an Australian full-service provider of multi-material point-of-sale display solutions for brand suppliers and retailers. The acquisition will expand HL’s footprint in Australia, further strengthening its position as a leading supplier for in-store merchandising and communication solutions. Executing value-creating add-on acquisitions in platform companies is a key focus area of Ratos’ 2030 strategy.

“HL Display’s acquisition of UFO Display Solutions is a strong example of how we combine an increased pace of M&A with disciplined capital allocation, focusing on attractive multiples, high earnings quality and value creation in line with the Ratos’ 2030 strategy. This marks the second add-on acquisition by HL Display in 2026,” says Gustaf Salford, CEO of Ratos.

“I am pleased to announce the acquisition of UFO Display Solutions. With its strong customer base and complementary offering, the company is an excellent fit for HL in Australia. UFO’s capabilities in Melbourne will complement our team in Sydney, enabling us to deliver both standard and tailored solutions that enhance in-store execution and support our customers’ growth. I am delighted to welcome the UFO team to HL,” says Jonas Magnusson, CEO of HL Display.

Founded 26 years ago, UFO Display Solutions has established itself as a leading supplier of point-of-sale display solutions, combining custom design and multi-material production capabilities with outstanding service. Located in Melbourne, the team is well-regarded for their high-quality solutions, and trusted relationships with their customer base of brand suppliers and retailers over the years. The company has annual revenues of approximately SEK 100m with profitability margin accretive to HL Display.

The acquisition is anticipated to close on 1 July 2026.

About HL Display
HL Display is a leader in in-store merchandising and communication solutions, helping customers to create a better shopping in-store experience for shoppers and personnel. Founded in 1954 and today present in more than 70 countries and their solutions can be found in 350,000 stores. The company supports its customers to grow sales, inspire shoppers, drive efficiency, reduce waste and improve work in-store. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and sales offices in 24 countries covering 40 markets as well as distribution partners covering the remaining markets globally. HL Display has 1,500 employees and net sales of SEK 3,000m (2025).

Ratos holds a 98 percent ownership stake in HL Display.

For more information, please contact:
Katarina Grönwall, VP Communications & Sustainability
+46 70 300 35 38
katarina.gronwall@ratos.com

Anna Vilogorac, CFO & IR
+46 70 616 50 19
anna.vilogorac@ratos.com

About Ratos
Ratos is a Swedish publicly listed investment company focused on long-term, active ownership. It holds majority and minority stakes in Nordic companies. In 2025, net sales totalled SEK 19 billion and adjusted EBITA SEK 1.9 billion. Ratos has approximately 9,100 employees and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

Attachments
Press release

Categories: News

Tags:

The Master Group Expands U.S. Footprint with Acquisition of Distributor Corporation of New England (DCNE)

Novacap

Strengthens Presence in New England and Enhances Residential and Commercial HVAC-R Distribution Capabilities

The Master Group, a Novacap portfolio company and a leading North American distributor of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, parts and supplies, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Distributor Corporation of New England, a well-established Carrier distributor serving the eastern New England region, including Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island for 63 years.

The acquisition supports Master’s continued expansion in the United States and strengthens its presence in the Northeast U.S., an established HVAC market with sustained demand across both residential and commercial segments.

DCNE operates a network of eight locations across their territory and has built a strong and well-respected reputation for customer service, technical expertise and long-standing contractor relationships. Anchored by its alignment with Carrier Corporation, DCNE provides HVAC residential & commercial equipment, replacement parts & supplies, ductless solutions, support services and ongoing training classes to contractors and technicians throughout New England.

DCNE customers will continue to be supported by the experienced long-standing team they know and trust, while gaining the added benefit of Master’s scale, resources and broader distribution capabilities. The acquisition also enhances Master’s ability to serve contractors with an expanded product offering, increased geographic reach and continued focus on service excellence.

“The success of DCNE is first and foremost a reflection of what the Kolligian family and its team have built over the years,” said Louis St-Laurent, CEO of The Master Group. “With a strong reputation grounded in customer trust, technical expertise and service excellence, DCNE represents exactly the type of organization we look to partner with as we continue to grow our presence in the U.S.”

The addition of DCNE is a natural fit with Master’s existing operations and long-term growth strategy. Together, Master and DCNE will be better positioned to support contractors across New England with expanded resources, continued local expertise and a shared commitment to helping customers succeed.

“Joining The Master Group represents an important milestone for DCNE,” said Michele M. Kolligian, President & CEO of DCNE. “Our customers can be reassured that they will continue to receive the same quality of professional partnerships, technical knowledge and service commitment they have come to expect. The legacy of our family-owned and operated business, passed on to us by our late father, Gregory Archie Kolligian, has been the driving force behind our steadfast commitment to growing our business and providing quality service, knowledge and premium HVAC products since 1963. We extend our best wishes to The Master Group and the DCNE organization for continued success, as well as our valued customers and business associates.”

Michele and Nancy Kolligian will continue to manage the business through a smooth transition.

Transaction Terms

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About The Master Group

The Master Group (Master) is Canada’s largest HVAC-R distributor and one of North America’s leading players in the industry. For more than 70 years, Master has supported contractors, engineers and industry partners with a broad portfolio of solutions across residential, commercial, institutional and industrial applications.

With now more than 2,000 dynamic and dedicated team members and a network of close to 100 branches, along with 9 distribution facilities across Canada and the United States, Master combines national scale with strong local presence. The company is known for its deep technical expertise, disciplined execution and long-standing partnerships with customers and suppliers.

Master’s approach is grounded in growth, simplicity, teamwork and doing what’s right — focusing on practical innovation, operational excellence and helping its partners succeed in a rapidly evolving industry.

For more information, visit www.master.ca

Improving lives, in every degree.

About DCNE

Distributor Corporation of New England (DCNE) is a leading HVAC distributor serving contractors across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

DCNE provides a full range of HVAC residential and commercial equipment, ductless solutions, parts & supplies and technical support services, with a team of seasoned sales and engineering professionals, and team of customer service associates with technical expertise across all product categories.

For more information, visit www.dcne.com

Categories: News

Tags:

Pollen Street agrees acquisition of Universal Banking, Finastra’s core banking solution division

Pollenstreet

Pollen Street Capital (“Pollen Street”) today announces the acquisition of Universal Banking (“UB”), a leading provider of mission-critical core banking software to over 150 financial institutions worldwide, in a carve-out from Finastra.

UB’s core banking platforms sit at the heart of its customers’ operations, powering transaction processing, account and deposit management, lending and treasury for retail, commercial and corporate banks. UB is an established player in international core banking recognised for its end-to-end offering with rich functionality and a track record of serving diverse customers ranging from global and regional institutions to digital banks, Islamic banks and building societies in over 100 countries.

Essence is UB’s next-gen, cloud-first, open platform with rich functionality, powerful APIs, advanced analytics and agile workflows – primed for GenAI integration and further expansion of offering to clients seeking increased automation. Award-winning and recognised by industry analysts as a leading platform, Essence is positioned well to continue to win in the market and to serve as the go-to future-proof platform for UB’s existing customers.

Demand for core banking modernisation continues to grow as banks look to migrate from legacy systems to improve agility and operational efficiency. UB is at the forefront of this trend, working with banks to modernise legacy systems, accelerate product innovation, reduce cost-to-serve, move workloads to the cloud, and deploy AI capabilities while delivering exceptional customer service. It also supports the needs of fast-growing challenger banks, digital startups, Fintechs, Islamic financial Institutions, and building societies.

Pollen Street’s backing will support UB through its carve-out from Finastra, strengthen its commercial capabilities, and provide the investment needed to accelerate product development and deployment of GenAI to best serve UB’s customers.

Chris Walters, Chief Executive Officer of Finastra, said: “Universal Banking is a strong business with talented people, proven products, and deep customer relationships. Under Pollen Street Capital, it will have the dedicated focus and investment to build on that strength. For Finastra, this sharpens our focus on payments and lending – areas where we see significant opportunity to grow and deliver more value for our customers.”

Anastasia Kovaleva, Partner at Pollen Street, added: “UB is a high-quality business with a strong foundation: mission-critical software, long-standing customer relationships and a clear pathway for growth through modernisation of the existing customer base and acceleration of new wins with a now proven modern platform. We are also excited about working with UB management team to deploy GenAI into banks, which we see as a very significant opportunity. UB is s exactly the type of resilient, differentiated specialist business with multiple value creation levers that we like to back.”

The acquisition reflects Pollen Street’s strategy of backing specialist financial services and technology businesses in attractive markets, with deep customer relationships, leading positions, and clear opportunities for organic and inorganic growth. UB will operate as a standalone entity led by its existing management team. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals.

Categories: News

Tags:

Stingray Announces $15.4 Million Share Buyback

LaCaisse

Stingray Group Inc. (“Stingray” or the “Corporation”) (TSX: RAY) today announced that it has entered into a private agreement with CDP Investissements inc., a subsidiary of La Caisse for the repurchase for cancellation of 1,000,000 Subordinate Voting and Variable Subordinate Voting Shares of Stingray held by La Caisse at a price of $15.40 per share, for a total consideration of $15.4 million. The repurchase price represents a discount of 5.1% to the closing price of the shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) on June 18, 2026, and will be paid using Stingray’s cash on hand.

Concurrently with this share repurchase, La Caisse will sell 2,300,000 Subordinate Voting and Variable Subordinate Voting Shares of Stingray, representing approximately 4.2% of the company’s issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting and Variable Subordinate Voting Shares, through a block trade underwritten by National Bank Financial and Desjardins Capital Markets. Both transactions stem from La Caisse’s periodic portfolio rebalancing. La Caisse will remain a significant shareholder of Stingray, holding close to 10% of the outstanding Subordinate Voting and Variable Subordinate Voting Shares of Stingray.

“This share repurchase aligns perfectly with our ongoing commitment to active capital management and maximizing value for our shareholders,” said Eric Boyko, President, Co-Founder, and CEO of Stingray. “Our healthy balance sheet and strong financial position allow us to fund this transaction from cash on hand while maintaining our debt-reduction targets, preserving the flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions and invest in our future growth.”

“La Caisse has supported Stingray’s growth and expansion since its initial public offering more than ten years ago. This transaction lets us monetize a portion of our stake while remaining a key partner in this Montréal-based company’s success and future innovations. The capital generated may be invested in Québec companies to accelerate their growth,” said Kim Thomassin, Executive Vice-President and Head of Québec at La Caisse.

An order was obtained from the Autorité des marchés financiers to exempt Stingray from the issuer bid requirements under applicable securities legislation applicable to the repurchase transaction, which will be made at a discount in accordance with the exemption order.

The share repurchase will be made outside of the facilities of the TSX and will not be taken into account in the calculation of the maximum annual global limit imposed under Stingray’s current normal course issuer bid.

Information regarding the share repurchase, including the number of shares repurchased and aggregate repurchase price paid, will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca following the completion thereof. Stingray will not issue any additional press release announcing the completion of this share repurchase.

About Stingray

Stingray Group Inc. (TSX: RAY), the world’s leading connected streaming media company, delivers the best curated audio and video content to consumers worldwide. As a pioneer in multiplatform streaming and distribution, Stingray’s vast digital content portfolio includes thousands of live audio and radio stations, premium music channels, concerts and music documentaries, karaoke products, as well as ambience and wellness channels. Its offering is distributed via connected TVs, smart speakers, mobile, connected cars and retail. Reaching hundreds of millions of consumers every month, Stingray’s products offer an unparalleled advertising reach, enabling brands to connect with an engaged audience across the world. Home to globally renowned brands such as TuneIn, Singing Machine, Stingray Karaoke and Qello Concerts, Stingray is powered by a worldwide team of more than 1,000 employees. For more information, visit www.stingray.com.

Forward-looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the closing and the anticipated benefits of the repurchase transaction. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Corporation. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific. A variety of material factors – many of which are beyond Stingray’s control – affect the operations, performance and results of Stingray and its business, and could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in any of this forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “may”, “will”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “foresee”, “believe”, and “continue”, or the negative of these terms and similar terminology, including references to assumptions. Please note, however, that not all forward-looking information contains these terms and phrases. Additional information about the risks and uncertainties affecting Stingray’s business can be found under the heading entitled “Risk Factors” in Stingray’s Annual Information Form for the year ended March 31, 2025, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Consequently, all of the forward-looking information contained herein is qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements, and there can be no guarantee that the results or developments that Stingray anticipates will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or effects on Stingray’s business, financial condition or results of operation. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained herein is provided as of the date hereof, and Stingray does not undertake to update or amend such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

– 30 –

For more information

  • Mathieu Péloquin, CPA
    Senior Vice-President, Marketing and Communications
    Groupe Stingray Inc.
    514-664-1244, poste 2362
    mpeloquin@stingray.com

Categories: News

Tags: