Category Archives: News

Bure becomes a shareholder in Mentimeter

Bure

Bure Equity AB (publ), (“Bure”) has signed an agreement to acquire Alfvén & Didrikson’s shares in Mentimeter AB (publ) (“Mentimeter”), corresponding to an ownership stake of approximately 12%.

Mentimeter provides a global SaaS platform that enables leaders and organizations to increase engagement, thereby creating more effective and innovative organizations. The platform enables real-time collection of audience opinions and insights on specific issues, visualizes the results as part of the presentation, and supports the analysis of the information after the meeting.

Mentimeter has experienced exceptional organic growth. Annual recurring revenue (ARR) has increased at an average annual growth rate of 58% since 2019, and in 2023 Mentimeter reached an ARR of approximately 500 million SEK. Over 700 million meeting participants have made their voices heard through the product. The company has almost entirely self-financed its growth journey through its strong cash flow profile.

Bure’s CEO Henrik Blomquist comments:

“We are incredibly impressed by Mentimeter and the way the entrepreneurs have continuously developed the company’s offering and business model. Bure looks forward to becoming a long-term owner of Mentimeter and supporting its continued growth journey”.

Mentimeter’s CEO Johnny Warström comments:

“I am very pleased to welcome Bure as a shareholder in Mentimeter. Alfvén & Didrikson has been an active and supportive shareholder for a long time, and I look forward to a good and long-term collaboration with Bure”.

Halmar Didrikson from Alfvén & Didrikson comments:

“It is with great thankfulness and some sadness that we part ways with this wonderful company after seven wonderful years together. We hope that the funds generated through this divestment will enable us at A&D to invest in and support many upcoming Nordic star growth businesses. We would like to thank, from the bottom of our heart, the founders, management, the board, our co-owners and not least all the brilliant employees of Mentimeter. We are convinced that Mentimeter’s journey has just begun and that the company will achieve much more success worldwide in years to come.”

Following the acquisition, Bure will become the third largest owner of Mentimeter, after founders Johnny Warström and Niklas Ingvar. Bure will own approximately 9.5 million shares in the company, and the total transaction value is estimated to be ~450 million SEK. The transaction is conditional on, among other things, entry into the shareholder’s agreement.

For more information, contact

Henrik Blomquist, CEO
henrik.blomquist@bure.se
Telephone: +46 (0) 8-614 00 20

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Bure becomes a shareholder in Mentimeter

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EQT to acquire Constellation Cold Logistics, the third largest cold storage owner-operator in Europe

eqt
  • Constellation Cold Logistics (“Constellation”) provides temperature-controlled storage infrastructure to a wide-range of food producers via a network of 26 storage facilities across seven countries in Western Europe and the Nordics
  • The Company offers critical food preservation services that are essential to the modern food supply chain, helping to feed the world safely while reducing food waste
  • EQT will support Constellation as it looks to further entrench its market-leading position, execute identified M&A opportunities and deliver major expansion developments within Europe

EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Infrastructure VI fund (“EQT”) has agreed to acquire Constellation Cold Logistics (“Constellation” or the “Company”) from Arcus Infrastructure Partners. Financial details are not disclosed.

Constellation was established in 2020 by Arcus Infrastructure Partners, which brought together three businesses located in Belgium, Norway and the Netherlands. Just four years later, Constellation today owns and operates 26 large cold storage facilities across seven countries in Western Europe and the Nordics. The London headquartered firm employs 700 people and is expected to generate revenues over EUR 150 million in FY24.

Constellation provides temperature-controlled storage capacity and complementary services to a wide range of food producers, traders and retailers. Its sites are located either close to clients’ production and processing premises or near critical logistics routes to major cities, ports or food hubs. By offering warehousing and value-added services in these strategic locations in an efficient, flexible and responsive manner, Constellation provides a critical service to its customers that ensures their supply and logistics chains remain smooth and safe.

The European cold storage market features strong underlying growth of around seven percent per year, driven by multiple factors. For one, growing populations are leading to a greater demand for food. At the same time, the popularity of frozen and chilled foods is growing as the sector and customers recognize how these categories reduce food waste and improve quality. Producers are also increasingly adopting outsourcing, just-in-case supply chain strategies, and value-added services as the industry matures.

EQT will support Constellation as it works to capture this attractive market opportunity. Led by deeply experienced CEO Carlos Rodriguez, the Company has already proven its ability to successfully execute M&A, having completed ten deals in the past four years. With EQT, Constellation will be able to further expand within its existing catchment areas and enter new countries, both organically and through consolidation of the highly fragmented European market. Additional investment will be made into Constellation’s automation and digital capabilities to solidify a stronger foundation for growth.

Francesco Malvezzi, Managing Director within the EQT Value-Add Infrastructure Advisory Team, said: “Constellation is one of the leading cold storage providers in Europe with an excellent track record of growth, both organically and through M&A. It offers strong diversification across geographies, customers and end-markets and has impressive service offerings, customer focus and facilities. We’re excited to start working with Carlos and the team to help build an even stronger platform for continued growth. With EQT’s expertise in owning infrastructure companies that provide inherent essential services to society, we’ll be able to support Constellation as it works to deliver safe, quality food to people across Europe.”

Carlos Rodriguez, CEO of Constellation, said: “In four short years, Constellation, with support from Arcus, has expanded into one of the largest cold storage players in Europe, enabling our clients to benefit from enhanced accessibility and efficiency in their supply chains. We will maintain an absolute focus on responsiveness and customer service together with our commitment to sustainability on our path to net-zero. We’re excited to continue implementing our 2030 strategic plan with the support of EQT, which brings strong infrastructure experience, global scale, and deep expertise in areas like sustainability and digitalization. I’d like to thank the Arcus team for its dedication to this point but, most of all, I’d like to thank all Constellation’s employees for their hard work and continuous support as the company evolves.”

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and approval. It is expected to close in October 2024.

EQT was advised by UBS (M&A), Roland Berger (commercial), Milbank (legal), PwC (financial, tax).

With this transaction, EQT Infrastructure VI is expected to be 40 – 45 percent invested (including closed and/or signed investments, announced public offers, if applicable, and less any expected syndication) based on target fund size and subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or solicitation. Any offer or solicitation in respect of EQT Infrastructure VI will be made only through a confidential private placement memorandum and related documents which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America. Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. Any offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of an offering document that would be obtainable from the issuer or its agents and would contain detailed information about the issuer of the securities and its management, as well as financial information. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 242 billion in total assets under management (EUR 132 billion in fee-generating assets under management), within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on LinkedIn, X, YouTube and Instagram

About Constellation Cold Logistics

More info: https://www.constellationcold.com/

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Take private of a leading digitalization enabler: Bregal Unternehmerkapital enters into a binding agreement to acquire Relatech

Bregal unternehmerkapital

Zug / Munich / Milan, June 20, 2024 – Funds advised by Bregal Unternehmerkapital (“BU”) execute a binding agreement aimed at acquiring a majority stake in Relatech S.p.A. (“Relatech” or “Company”), a leading B2B partner for digital transformation whose shares are listed on the Euronext Milan Growth. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Upon closing of the acquisition, a mandatory tender offer on the remaining shares of Relatech will be launched aimed at the delisting of the Company from the Euronext Growth Milan. The management will reinvest in the Company. 

Based in Italy, Relatech is a leading provider of digital enabler solutions operating in the fast-growing Digital Transformation, Industrial Automation and Cybersecurity markets. The Company supports customers in achieving their goals and redesigning their business models by providing innovative digital services and solutions leveraging key technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Cloud, IoT, Cybersecurity, and Big Data. Relatech employs ~700 employees and serves a long list of Italian and International blue-chip customers in diversified end markets.

Relatech is the second platform investment of the new Bregal Unternehmerkapital IV fund, which closed in May 2024 at a record amount of €2.65 billion. In terms of fund volume and the number of partnerships with “hidden champions”, BU is one of the largest mid-cap investors in the DACH region and has also been active in Italy since 2021. BU has in-depth experience in working with growth-oriented business services and software companies. Together with Relatech, the aim is now to drive organic and inorganic growth. The focus will include new cross-selling initiatives, the increased expansion of cyber security offerings in the wake of new regulatory requirements for the industry as well as possible strategic acquisitions and process optimizations.

“Since our founding in 2001, Relatech has undergone a remarkable journey, and we are thrilled to announce the partnership with BU as a stepping stone in the Company’s continued success. With the support of BU, we look forward to accelerating growth organically and via acquisitions, extending our international reach and strengthening our position as customers’ partner of choice for digital innovation, thereby leading the Digital Renaissance. We look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead and are confident that this new phase will bring unparalleled benefits to all our stakeholders”, said Pasquale Lambardi, Founder, Shareholder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Relatech.

Valentina Pippolo, Partner and Country Head of BU Italy, added, “We are excited to partner with Pasquale Lambardi and Relatech’s management team to support its development through both organic and inorganic initiatives. The Company is a champion in digital innovation, as demonstrated by its growth over the past years. We intend to accelerate Relatech’s growth, both in Italy and abroad, strengthening its proposition to help customers become more competitive through digital solutions that boost efficiencies within their organizations.”

BU is assisted by Mediobanca, as financial advisor, Chiomenti, as legal advisor, A&M, as accounting advisor, Essentia, as debt advisor, Legance, as structuring advisor Deloitte, as tax advisor and Code & Co. as technology advisor.

About Bregal Unternehmerkapital
Bregal Unternehmerkapital (“BU”) is a leading investment firm with offices in Zug, Munich, and Milan. With €7.0bn in capital raised to date, BU is the largest mid-cap investor headquartered in the DACH region. The funds advised by BU invest in mid-sized companies based in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria. With the mission to be the partner of choice for entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, BU seeks to partner with market leaders and “hidden champions” with strong management teams and outbreak potential. Since its founding in 2015, the funds advised by BU have invested in over 100 companies with more than 27,000 employees. Thereby, more than 7,700 jobs have been created. BU supports entrepreneurs and families as a strategic partner to develop, internationalize, and digitize their businesses, while helping them generate sustainable value on a responsible basis with the next generation in mind.For more information, please visit www.bregal.ch/ or follow us on LinkedIn.
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Press contact
Ira Wülfing / Florian Bergmann
IWK Communication Partner
bregal@iwk-cp.com
+49 89 2000 30 30Sandra Schäfer
Head of Marketing & Communications
sandra.schaefer@bregal.de
+49 89 435 715 007

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CapMan Residential Fund makes its second investment in Sweden through the acquisition of a forward funding project in Ursvik, Sundbyberg

Capman

CapMan Residential Fund makes its second investment in Sweden through the acquisition of a forward funding project in Ursvik, Sundbyberg

CapMan Residential Fund acquires a forward funding project in Ursvik, Sundbyberg. The project is situated 10 km north of Stockholm city center and comprises 289 rental apartments, an underground parking garage with 85 parking spaces and two small commercial premises. The project is acquired from Reliwe, and the development and construction will be managed by Reliwe and Consto with expected completion in early 2027. Ursvik is a strong location in one of Sweden’s fastest-growing municipalities and offers excellent public transport connections for the residents in the area, ensuring convenient commuting to Stockholm city center and major hubs like Kista, Arenastaden and Bromma.

The acquisition is the ninth investment for CapMan’s pan-Nordic core residential fund. The investment fits well with the fund’s strategy to invest in attractive locations in the largest Nordic cities and in assets with strong sustainability profiles.

The asset will be certified with BREEAM, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and aims to be EU Taxonomy aligned. It will achieve an EPC rating of level B at minimum and feature both geothermal heating and solar panels. Additionally, the future tenants will be provided with parking spaces equipped with EV chargers in the parking garage and have access to a car and bicycle pool, offering convenient and
eco-friendly transportation options.

“We are excited to secure our second investment in Sweden for our residential fund, marking the first within the Greater Stockholm area. This high-quality project is a fantastic addition to the existing portfolio and aligns well with the fund’s strategy to further expand its presence in Sweden. The strong sustainability profile of the project demonstrates our commitment to responsible investing,” says Pontus Danielsson, Investment Associate at CapMan Real Estate.

Since its inception in 2021, the open-ended core residential fund has successfully raised and invested nearly €1 billion of equity and aims to reach €2 billion by 2026. “We are excited about this investment and look forward to continue expanding our portfolio in Sweden and throughout the Nordics in the years ahead,” comments Magnus Berglund, Partner and Head of CapMan Real Estate Sweden and Norway.

“Our strong focus on asset quality and market selection gives us flexibility in different market conditions. We have built a dedicated investment and operating platform focused on the residential sector that enables us to develop properties at scale. As a developer, we are excited to continue supporting CapMan’s accelerated growth in the years ahead. We are impressed by the operating team at CapMan and look forward to working closely with them while delivering a fantastic residential project in Ursvik,” adds Gurmo Endale, Partner at Reliwe.

CapMan Real Estate manages approximately €4.4 billion in real estate assets, with a team of over 80 professionals located in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London and Jyväskylä.

For further information, please contact:

Magnus Berglund, Partner and Head of CapMan Real Estate Sweden and Norway, +46 70 786 68 08

Pontus Danielsson, Investment Associate at CapMan Real Estate, +46 70 385 58 00

About CapMan

CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation and €5.7 billion in assets under management. As one of the private equity pioneers in the Nordics we have developed hundreds of companies and assets creating significant value for over three decades. Our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors by enabling change across our portfolio companies. An example of this is greenhouse gas reduction targets that we have set under the Science Based Targets initiative in line with the 1.5°C scenario and our commitment to net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover real estate and infrastructure assets, natural capital and minority and majority investments in portfolio companies. We also provide wealth management solutions. Our service business includes procurement services. Altogether, CapMan employs around 200 professionals in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London and Luxembourg. We are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001. www.capman.com

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CapMan Real Estate signs 20-year lease agreement with Nobis in Stockholm

Capman

CapMan Real Estate signs 20-year lease agreement with Nobis in Stockholm

CapMan Real Estate and Nobis Hospitality Group have entered a 20-year lease agreement for a new hotel operation in the Royal Haga project in Stockholm. The historic property Solna Kasernen 1 will become a unique facility with a hotel, restaurant, spa, conference rooms and offices.

The property is located in Hagaparken in Stockholm, offering an excellent location by Brunnsviken with proximity to both nature and the city. CapMan will initiate an extensive refurbishment to create a unique world-class destination hotel, and the facility is expected to open after the summer of 2025. The historic building was constructed between 1917-1922 as a military regiment and has previously been used as office space and for hotel operations. The newer part of the hotel was built in the 1990s and has been renovated in various stages. Kasernen 1 was named after the military activities conducted on the property until the early 1970s.

A destination for all purposes

When renovated, the hotel will have 215 rooms, large social areas, and a fantastic spa facility that will be one of the largest in Sweden with an accompanying wellness club. A high-standard restaurant will also be part of the hotel and open to both hotel guests and the public.

“We are excited to finally announce that Nobis will operate the hotel and attract new visitors to Royal Haga. We look forward to taking the next step for this historic building by offering fantastic facilities for future tenants and visitors. We see enormous potential in the property, combined with its unique and beautiful location in Hagaparken in Stockholm”, says Kajsa Bagler at CapMan.

“We are happy to collaborate with CapMan on this project. This hotel facility has a huge potential, and we are looking forward to creating a destination that will offer high-quality experiences”, says Alessandro Catenacci, owner of Nobis Hospitality Group.

CapMan will completely refurbish the property to elevate the hotel to a high international standard. Demolition and reconstruction work has already begun and will resume in full scale after the summer. When acquiring the property in the fall of 2022, CapMan identified investments to make the property more energy-efficient, and this work will continue until the new facility opens to the public. The green transition will enable the building to be certified according to BREEAM In-Use.

CapMan and Nobis plan to present more detailed information about the upcoming destination hotel during the fall of 2024. Further information about the facility will be communicated continuously, including the opening date, official names of the hotel and office, and illustrative concept material for the new operations.

If you are interested in leasing an office with comprehensive services available within the building, please contact Kim Grüneberger at +46 72 161 14 42. For more information, please visit www.royalhaga.se/office.

CapMan Real Estate manages approximately €4.4 billion in real estate assets, with a team of over 80 professionals located in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London and Jyväskylä. The property Solna Kasernen 1 was acquired by the CapMan Nordic Real Estate III Fund in 2022.

For further information, please contact:

Kajsa Bagler, Investment Manager, CapMan Real Estate, +46 76 850 98 94

Magnus Berglund, Partner, Head of CapMan Real Estate Sweden and Norway, +46 707 866 808

About CapMan

CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation and €5.7 billion in assets under management. As one of the private equity pioneers in the Nordics we have developed hundreds of companies and assets creating significant value for over three decades. Our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors by enabling change across our portfolio companies. An example of this is greenhouse gas reduction targets that we have set under the Science Based Targets initiative in line with the 1.5°C scenario and our commitment to net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover real estate and infrastructure assets, natural capital and minority and majority investments in portfolio companies. We also provide wealth management solutions. Our service business includes procurement services. Altogether, CapMan employs around 200 professionals in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London and Luxembourg. We are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001. www.capman.com

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Our Series A in Decagon: Bringing Human-Like AI to Enterprise Customer Operations

Accel

Today we’re announcing our Series A in Decagon, an AI company powering a new generation of customer operations.

The promise of customer experience automation has been just around the corner for years. We’ve seen the industry go through many transitions from branching scripts to chat widgets, and yet it continues to be a human-in-the-loop process rife with mistakes, latency, and overall poor NPS. Mix together the broadening, global customer base that companies like Rippling, Vanta, and Eventbrite (all current Decagon customers) serve today with each company’s own expanding portfolios of products, and one can appreciate the compounding problem of delivering customer services like support, success, sales, and onboarding. It’s not getting easier.

Decagon flips the problem on its head with an AI-native solution that mirrors human capabilities and accelerates every layer of the customer operations stack. Decagon’s agents don’t just respond to customer inquiries, they proactively analyze conversations to understand insights, file bug reports, synthesize feature gaps, and even take actions on behalf of customers. In turn, engineers get the right bug reports, UX sees real-time visibility issues — and most importantly, customer issues are resolved in a fraction of the time and cost.

We’ve known Jesse and Ashwin for many years, and have seen first hand the intensity and intuition they apply to even the most unique product and company building problems. As second-time founders of both consumer and enterprise startups, they deeply understand what it means to be customer-obsessed. That’s critical, because we’re in an era of software where computer science fundamentals matter again, but founders must stay grounded in real customer problems. The winners won’t just be the ones with the biggest billboards — the winners will blend these new technical forces with deep customer understanding.

We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Decagon to redefine how companies engage with their customers. We’re hiring high-agency, passionate teammates now. Come join us!

– Ivan Zhou

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Platinum Equity’s Credit Team Provides Term Loan to Westfall Technik

Platinum

LOS ANGELES (June 13, 2024) – Platinum Equity announced today it provided a First-Lien Term Loan to Westfall Technik to refinance existing indebtedness and support future growth of the business.

Westfall Technik is a vertically-integrated manufacturer of injection molded plastic components that primarily serves the healthcare and consumer packaged goods end markets. The company provides design, tooling, molding and assembly capabilities to service the complete lifecycle of molded plastic parts.

 

“We are pleased to have delivered speed and certainty for Westfall Technik at a time when the market remains complex for middle-market borrowers. We have a lot of experience in the manufacturing and packaging sectors. That industry knowledge combined with Platinum’s partnership-focused approach allowed us to create and underwrite a financing solution that is uniquely tailored to the borrower’s needs.”

Jacob Kotzubei and Louis Samson, Co-Presidents, Platinum Equity

Westfall Technik is owned by Lee Equity Partners and BlackBern Partners.

“We are pleased to have delivered speed and certainty for Westfall Technik at a time when the market remains complex for middle-market borrowers,” said Platinum Equity Co-Presidents Jacob Kotzubei and Louis Samson in a joint statement. “We have a lot of experience in the manufacturing and packaging sectors. That industry knowledge combined with Platinum’s partnership-focused approach allowed us to create and underwrite a financing solution that is uniquely tailored to the borrower’s needs.”

The Westfall Technik financing is led by Platinum Equity’s dedicated credit team, which seeks opportunities to provide debt capital to companies for a variety of uses, including acquisitions, refinancings and recapitalizations.

“Our goal is to serve as a real strategic partner and deploy Platinum’s financial and intellectual capital to add material value for borrowers and their sponsors,” said Platinum Equity Managing Director and Global Head of Credit Michael Fabiano. “We think Westfall is a great fit for our approach. The company has a well-diversified customer base, impressive scale and operates in markets we know well. We are excited to partner with Lee Equity and BlackBern to support Westfall Technik’s growth and evolution.”

Platinum’s credit team targets companies that generally have $15 to $75 million of EBITDA and are primarily based in North America.

“Our credit team is actively looking for additional opportunities to support borrowers and their sponsors as they pursue their strategic objectives,” added Fabiano.

Houlihan Lokey acted as the sole lead placement agent to Westfall Technik.

About Platinum Equity

Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with more than $48 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 50 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 28 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 450 acquisitions and debt financings.

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CapMan Real Estate announces strategic promotions and new role to bolster Nordic asset management

Capman

CapMan Real Estate announces strategic promotions and new role to bolster Nordic asset management

CapMan Real Estate makes key organisational enhancements including the introduction of a new leadership role to streamline Nordic asset management operations and support continued expansion.

Over recent five years, CapMan Real Estate has experienced substantial growth, with gross asset value under management surging by over €1 billion, reaching approximately €4.4 billion. The pan-Nordic team has also seen significant growth, now comprising nearly 80 professionals. To ensure smooth and efficient operations that support future growth, the company has made key organisational enhancements.

Effective 1 June 2024, Juhani Erke steps into the role of Chief Asset Management Officer (CAMO), overseeing asset management operations across the Nordic region. A CapMan team member since 2005, Erke will continue to serve on the CapMan Real Estate investment committee alongside CEO Mika Matikainen, CIO Torsten Bjerregaard, and COO Ilkka Tomperi. Erke’s extensive background in asset management and his long tenure as Head of Finland made him a perfect fit for this new position.

“CapMan Real Estate’s commitment to a fully vertically integrated business model, complete with an in-house asset management team, has been a cornerstone of our operations. The current expansion necessitates enhanced coordination of asset management activities across the Nordics. I am eager to collaborate with our local teams to foster a more streamlined asset management framework,” stated Erke.

With Erke’s transition to CAMO, Aleksi Konsti will assume the roles of Deputy Head of Finland and Head of Transactions, Finland, starting 1 October 2024. Erke will maintain his position as Head of Finland during the interim period.

Concurrently, CapMan Real Estate has promoted Investment Directors Marcus Lotzman and Hasse Wulff to the newly established positions of Head of Transactions Sweden and Head of Transactions Denmark, respectively, starting 1 June 2024. Their extensive experience and tenure at CapMan are invaluable assets to their new roles.

Magnus Berglund and Peter Gill will continue as Head of Sweden and Norway and Head of Denmark, respectively. Additionally, Anna Rannisto has been promoted to Sustainability Director, effective 1 April 2024. Under her capable leadership, CapMan Real Estate has made significant strides in establishing its sustainability objectives and effectively implementing its strategic plan.

“These strategic appointments and our recent talent acquisitions are instrumental in sustaining our growth trajectory. They enhance our ability to leverage the collective expertise of our Nordic team, fostering greater knowledge exchange and collaboration across CapMan Real Estate’s offices,” added Ilkka Tomperi, COO of CapMan Real Estate.

For further information, please contact:

Ilkka Tomperi, COO, CapMan Real Estate, +358 50 379 1903

Juhani Erke, CAMO and Head of CapMan Real Estate Finland, +358 50 549 5104

About CapMan

CapMan is a leading Nordic private asset expert with an active approach to value creation and €5.7 billion in assets under management. As one of the private equity pioneers in the Nordics we have developed hundreds of companies and assets creating significant value for over three decades. Our objective is to provide attractive returns and innovative solutions to investors by enabling change across our portfolio companies. An example of this is greenhouse gas reduction targets that we have set under the Science Based Targets initiative in line with the 1.5°C scenario and our commitment to net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. We have a broad presence in the unlisted market through our local and specialised teams. Our investment strategies cover real estate and infrastructure assets, natural capital and minority and majority investments in portfolio companies. We also provide wealth management solutions. Our service business includes procurement services. Altogether, CapMan employs around 200 professionals in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, London and Luxembourg. We are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki since 2001. www.capman.com

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Ardian enters into revised agreement with Ferrovial to acquire a 22.6% stake in Heathrow

Ardian

This statement should be read in conjunction with Ferrovial’s statements issued November 28th 20231 , January 16th 20242  and June 14th 2024, and by Ardian on November 29th 20233.

Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today announces that it has entered into a revised agreement to acquire a c. 22.6% stake in FGP Topco Ltd. (TopCo), the holding company of Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd., from Ferrovial S.E. and certain other TopCo shareholders.

In November 2023, Ardian announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire 15% of TopCo from Ferrovial.  In January 2024, certain shareholders of TopCo (the Tagging Shareholders) elected to exercise their tag along rights in respect of shares representing 35% of the share capital of TopCo.

The parties have been working towards satisfaction of the condition for the sale of the Tagged Shares to be sold alongside Ferrovial’s shares.  Following constructive discussions, Ardian has entered into a revised agreement to acquire c. 22.6% of TopCo from Ferrovial and certain of the Tagging Shareholders (together, the Sellers).  Under the terms of the revised agreement, infrastructure funds managed and advised by Ardian will acquire c. 22.6% while Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will acquire c. 15.0% of TopCo concurrently from the Sellers, through separate vehicles.  Each of the Sellers will sell a pro rata portion of their shares prior to the transaction and remain as continuing shareholders of TopCo.  Following completion of the transaction, the Sellers will retain shares representing 10.0% of the issued share capital of TopCo, in the same pro rata proportions.

Ardian is pleased to have worked closely with the parties to find this revised agreement and reiterates its strong commitment to investing the UK.

Ardian actively supports its assets to accelerate their transformation by leveraging data and new technologies to reduce emissions, creating new, more sustainable revenue sources, becoming more independent and resilient to external shocks, and improving their impact on both local and global environments. Through Ardian AirCarbon, an in-house pioneering solution that supports airports in their sustainability strategy towards net-zero by monitoring their carbon emissions and running simulations on decarbonization trajectories, Ardian aims to accelerate the decarbonization of the whole sector.

The transaction is subject to complying with right of first offer and full tag-along rights which may be exercised by the other TopCo shareholders pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreement and the Articles of Association of TopCo. In addition, completion of the acquisition under the agreement is subject to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory conditions.
1  https://newsroom.ferrovial.com/en/press_releases/ferrovial-announces-agreement-to-sell-stake-heathrow/
2 https://newsroom.ferrovial.com/en/press_releases/tag-along-rights-exercise-in-the-framework-of-the-agreement-for-the-sale-of-heathrow/
3 https://www.ardian.com/news-insights/press-releases/ardian-enters-agreement-ferrovial-acquire-15-stake-heathrow

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house, managing or advising $166bn of assets on behalf of more than 1,600 clients globally. Our broad expertise, spanning Private Equity, Real Assets and Credit, enables us to offer a wide range of investment opportunities and respond flexibly to our clients’ differing needs. Through Ardian Customized Solutions we create bespoke portfolios that allow institutional clients to specify the precise mix of assets they require and to gain access to funds managed by leading third-party sponsors. Private Wealth Solutions offers dedicated services and access solutions for private banks, family offices and private institutional investors worldwide. Ardian’s main shareholding group is its employees and we place great emphasis on developing our people and fostering a collaborative culture based on collective intelligence. Our 1,050+ employees, spread across 19 offices in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Middle East are strongly committed to the principles of Responsible Investment and are determined to make finance a force for good in society. Our goal is to deliver excellent investment performance combined with high ethical standards and social responsibility.
Through its direct infrastructure investment activities, Ardian has significant experience in owning and operating European airports. In the UK, Ardian was a 49% shareholder of London Luton Airport from 2013 until 2018. During Ardian’s period of ownership, a significant redevelopment of the terminal, transport links and infrastructure was successfully completed in close cooperation with Luton Borough Council. In Italy, Ardian is an indirect shareholder of Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Naples and Turin airports alongside their regions and municipalities.
At Ardian we invest all of ourselves in building companies that last.

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LIZ MORLEY

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BEN THORNTON

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FTV Capital Expands Internationally with Opening of London Office

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FTV Capital

As part of the expansion, Richard Earnshaw joins as partner to lead new office and FTV’s European investing efforts alongside growing team

NEW YORK & SAN FRANCISCO – FTV Capital, a prominent sector-focused growth equity investment firm with a successful 25+-year track record of investing in financial and enterprise technology, today announced the opening of its London office to serve as the firm’s hub for UK and European investments. FTV also announced Richard Earnshaw has joined the firm as partner to lead and grow the London-based team while deepening the firm’s investing efforts throughout Europe. Located in Mayfair, FTV’s London office joins the firm’s existing offices in New York, San Francisco and Connecticut, representing its first office outside of the United States.

Building on two and a half decades of experience and the firm’s strong investment track record in the region, FTV’s European team will work on deals in collaboration with FTV’s U.S. offices and strengthen its robust pipeline of European investment opportunities. FTV’s current portfolio of European-based companies includes Liberis, ManyPets, Paddle, PeopleCert, True Potential and VikingCloud. Notable exits include Centaur (acquired by Waystone Group in 2022), Egress (signed to be acquired by KnowBe4 in 2024) and WorldFirst (acquired by Ant Financial in 2019).

“We’ve enjoyed a successful history of investing in Europe for many years, supported by our Global Partner Network in the region, and establishing our on-the-ground presence in London is a significant milestone in our growth as we seek to partner with the best entrepreneurs globally,” said Brad Bernstein, managing partner at FTV Capital. “Europe is a promising breeding ground for technology innovation, and we’re excited to bring our flexible growth capital, value-creation resources and vast commercial network to more entrepreneurs to help them scale their businesses to new heights. I’m thrilled to welcome Richard, who we’ve known and respected for a long time, and to work alongside him and our fantastic growing team in London to accelerate FTV’s success.”

With 13 years of experience investing in financial services technology, Earnshaw brings extensive domain expertise in financial software and data to FTV. He joins the firm from Hg, one of Europe’s leading technology-focused private equity firms, with experience investing across Europe and North America. Earnshaw began his career at Deloitte Consulting where he worked on a range of strategy and M&A advisory projects.

“I’m excited to join FTV where we’re not only investing in innovative companies led by great teams to help fuel their growth but also working collectively to transform industries and build the future of technology in Europe,” said Earnshaw, partner at FTV Capital and head of the London office. “FTV’s unique DNA in financial and enterprise technology, combined with its collaborative culture and deep commitment to supporting founders and management teams, makes a material difference for the companies in which it invests. I can’t wait to work alongside the talented and ambitious team at FTV to leverage our sector specialisation, extensive reach into the global financial services and broader enterprise technology ecosystems, and our world-class operational capabilities to help build the next generation of European technology leaders.”

By having investment team members on the ground in Europe, FTV will further deepen its network of European founders, as well as Global Partner Network® executives and investors, which will serve all aspects of FTV’s model. With the London office and Earnshaw’s hire, FTV now comprises nearly 100 professionals, including 14 partners.

 “FTV was a true partner in helping Egress scale throughout our entire six-year relationship leading to Egress’ successful signing to be acquired by KnowBe4,” said Tony Pepper, CEO and co-founder of Egress, a London-based cybersecurity company. “No growth journey is ever straightforward, often with numerous twists and turns along the way, and it’s these moments which truly test the strength and depth of any relationship. For tech entrepreneurs looking to accelerate growth and break into new markets, FTV is an exceptional partner.”

This announcement comes on the heels of FTV receiving a series of major recognitions in recent months. In May 2024, FTV was recognized by the HEC Paris School of Business in the 2023 HEC Paris-Dow Jones Growth Capital Performance Ranking as the No. 6 top-performing growth equity firm globally out of 106 firms. The ranking evaluates growth capital firms’ ability to generate returns for their investors with funds raised between 2010 and 2019. FTV has also been named an Inc. Founder Friendly firm for three consecutive years.

About FTV Capital

FTV Capital is a sector-focused growth equity investment firm that has raised $6.2 billion to invest in high-growth companies offering a range of innovative solutions in enterprise technology and services and financial technology and services. FTV’s experienced team leverages its domain expertise and proven track record in each of these sectors to help motivated management teams accelerate growth. FTV also provides companies with access to its Global Partner Network®, a group of the world’s leading enterprises and executives who have helped FTV portfolio companies for two decades. Founded in 1998, FTV Capital has invested in over 140 portfolio companies, including Agiloft, EBANX, Kore.ai, Lean Solutions Group, Luma, Patra and Vagaro, and successfully exited/partially exited companies including Enfusion (NYSE: ENFN), Globant (NYSE: GLOB), InvestCloud (recapitalized), RapidRatings (recapitalized), Strata Fund Solutions (acquired by Alter Domus), Tango Card (acquired by Blackhawk Network) and VPay (acquired by Optum). FTV has offices in New York, San Francisco, Connecticut and London. For more information, please visit www.ftvcapital.com and follow the firm on LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Josh Hess

Prosek Partners on behalf of FTV Capital

(646) 818-9291

Pro-ftvcapital@prosek.com

Categories: News