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IK Investment Partners to sell its stake in Izium

IK Investment Partners (“IK”), a leading Pan-European private equity firm, is pleased to announce that the IK Small Cap I Fund has reached an agreement to sell its stake in Izium (or “the Group”), one of the leaders in the French CRM outsourcing market, to Comdata. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Izium offers an extensive portfolio of customer experience services, including consulting, telesales, customer services, debt collection and technical assistance, to a large client base. The Group operates 14 contact centres in France, Morocco and Madagascar. In 2016, Izium generated revenue of €200 million and employed approximately 6,000 people.

“During IK’s ownership, Izium has successfully diversified its client base outside the telecom industry, benefitting from the continued outsourcing trend of customers services in utilities, automotive and financial services. Furthermore, the Group completed three add-on acquisitions, and investigated a significant number of opportunities in adjacent fields and in neighbouring countries,” said Pierre Gallix, Partner at IK and advisor to the IK Small Cap I Fund.

“In Comdata we feel that we have identified a strategic buyer who will be able to oversee further growth of the business – both organically and through further acquisitions. This is a unique opportunity, and we cannot thank IK enough for their support”, said Maxime Didier, founder of Izium Group and b2s President.

Izium is the first exit from IK’s debut small cap fund.

Completion of the transaction is expected in August 2017, subject to work council consultation and regulatory approvals customary.

For further questions, please contact:

IK Investment Partners
Pierre Gallix, Partner
Phone: +33 1 44 43 06 60

Mikaela Hedborg
Director Communications & ESG
Phone: +44 77 87 573 566
mikaela.hedborg@ikinvest.com

About IK Investment Partners
IK Investment Partners (“IK”) is a Pan-European private equity firm focused on investments in the Nordics, DACH region, France, and Benelux. Since 1989, IK has raised more than €9 billion of capital and invested in over 100 European companies. IK funds support companies with strong underlying potential, partnering with management teams and investors to create robust, well-positioned businesses with excellent long-term prospects. For more information, visit  www.ikinvest.com

About Izium Group
Izium Group offers an extensive portfolio of customer experience services, including consulting, telesales, customer services, debt collection and technical assistance, to a large client base. The Group is well positioned to achieve additional growth, already operating 14 contact centres in France (10), Morocco (3) and Madagascar (1). In 2016, In 2016, Izium Group generated revenue of MEUR 200. The Group employs approximately 6,000 people and serves ca. 150 clients. For more information, visit http://izium.fr

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Celtra secures $15 million financing to lead creative transformation in digital advertising, providing Brands a Cloud-based Creative Operating System

 

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BOSTON, June 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Celtra, the creative management platform for digital advertising, today announced a $15 million investment led by Unilever Ventures and WPP. Unilever and WPP are partnering to use Celtra’s market-leading creative technology across Unilever’s global marketing organization and its ecosystem of service providers, technology vendors and media suppliers.

Celtra aims to help advertisers maximize their creative potential and use creative as a lever to achieve better results in digital advertising.
“Creative is the conduit for the marketer’s message. It should always be on point and carefully refined,” said Miha Mikek, Founder and CEO of Celtra. “Celtra’s platform helps transform brands, agencies, creative producers and other partners into highly performant, data-driven, effective digital storytellers.”

Unilever was among the first global advertisers that recognized the potential of the approach.
“Creative is an increasingly complex challenge for large advertisers and one that is constantly changing due to rapid evolution of media consumption. People deserve advertising that feels native to each medium and delivers emotional value. Celtra helps us deliver that at global scale,” said Keith Weed, Chief Marketing Officer at Unilever.
Agencies, as trusted partners and advisers of brands, play a pivotal role in the process and WPP is a key partner in the use of Celtra’s Creative Management Platform across Unilever.
“We believe the market is due for a creative management solution that can deliver real-time data driven creative at scale and tailored for every individual, across media channels. Celtra is a leader in this space. This investment is in line with WPP’s commitment to technology, data and content, which, along with horizontality, new markets and new media, comprise the Group’s four strategic priorities,” said Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive Officer at WPP.

About Celtra

Celtra is a Cloud-based Creative Management Platform for digital advertising. They have pioneered HTML5 authoring with integrated creative serving, designed from the start for mobile advertising. It is an agnostic solution enabling the most advanced video, display and native ad products with the greatest distribution reach in the industry. Since 2011, Celtra has acquired over 400 clients globally across the digital media and advertising landscape. Their platform powers ads for more than 3,500 brands and 2/3 of Fortune 500 advertisers.
Celtra is headquartered in Boston, with offices in New York City, San Francisco, London, Ljubljana, Singapore and Sydney. For more information, visit Celtra at www.celtra.com or @CeltraMobile on Twitter.

Media Contact:Cristy GarciaCeltra646-577-4332cristy@celtra.com

About Unilever Ventures
Unilever Ventures is the venture capital and private equity arm of Unilever. They invest in early stage, promising companies, accelerating growth by providing access to Unilever’s global ecosystem, assets and expertise. The fund looks to invest in tomorrow’s world-beaters in Personal Care and Digital Transformation. Key focus areas within Digital Transformation include content creation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, e-commerce, internet of things, mobile marketing and video, in both developed and emerging markets. Unilever Venture’s existing investments include Clavis Insight, Percolate, Blis, Gousto, Instacart, Blow, Nutrafol, Sun Basket, Iluminage Beauty, Froosh, and Voltea. For further information, please visit: www.unileverventures.com

About WPP

WPP is the world’s largest communications services group with billings of US$74 billion and revenues of over US$19 billion. Through its operating companies, the Group provides a comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services including advertising & media investment management; data investment management; public relations & public affairs; branding & identity; healthcare communications; digital, eCommerce and shopper marketing and specialist communications. The company employs over 205,000 people (including associates and investments) in over 3,000 offices across 112 countries. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.
WPP was named Holding Company of the Year at the 2016 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for the sixth year running. WPP was also named, for the sixth consecutive year, the World’s Most Effective Holding Company in the 2017 Effie Effectiveness Index, which recognizes the effectiveness of marketing communications. In 2017 WPP was recognised by Warc 100 as the World’s Top Holding Company (third year running).
SOURCE Celtra
Related Links
http://www.celtra.com

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DIF acquires shadow toll road in Spain

Madrid, 21 June 2017 – DIF Infrastructure IV (“DIF”) is pleased to announce that it has acquired from OHL Concesiones (“OHL”) 45% of the shares in Autovía de Aragon, S.A, a shadow toll road linking the Madrid city center with Barajas airport (“Autovia de Aragon”).

In addition to DIF’s share, OHL will maintain its position as a significant industrial partner in Autovia de Aragon. TYPSA, a leading consulting engineering firm, will retain its 5% share in the company.

Autovia de Aragon is one of the main road accesses to Madrid and one of the alternatives that links the city center and the airport. The road is located in one of the most urbanized and industrial corridors linking Madrid’s urban center with Guadalajara. The 19-year concession started in 2007, (with end date December 2026) and operates the first section of the A-2 Motorway, which is the main connection between the cities of Madrid and Barcelona.

Autovia de Aragon is DIF’s first road investment in Spain following the acquisition of 6 PPP projects in other sectors. Long term financing is in place and provided by EIB, FMSW and ICO (Instituto de Crédito Oficial).

Fernando Moreno, DIF’s head of Spain, said: “DIF is very pleased to establish this long term partnership with OHL and invest in this high quality asset that will provide a strong return and steady cash yield for DIF’s investors”.

DIF was advised by Uría & Menéndez (legal), Garrigues (tax), PWC (model/financial) and Arup (traffic/technical).

DIF Profile

DIF is an independent and specialist fund management company, managing funds of approximately €4.2 billion. DIF invests in infrastructure assets that generate long term stable cash flows, including PPP / PFI / P3, regulated infrastructure assets and renewable energy projects in Europe, North America and Australia. DIF has offices in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Luxembourg, Madrid, Toronto and Sydney.

For more information, please contact:

Paul Nash, Partner
Email: p.nash@dif.eu

Allard Ruijs, Partner
Email: a.ruijs@dif.eu

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Sunrise Capital II invests in El Dorado Group

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Tokyo ,Wednesday 21 June, 2017

– CLSA Capital Partners, the alternative asset management arm of CLSA, is pleased to announce the investment by Sunrise Capital II (“Sunrise II”) into Japan-headquartered El Dorado Ltd, Lcode Ltd, and Hong Kong-headquartered CANDY MAGIC International Limited (collectively the “El Dorado Group”), a group of companies specialising in the design, manufacture and sales of beauty contact lenses. Sunrise II is a CLSA Capital Partners’ fund that invests in established, mid -cap companies withstrong growth potential in Japan.

 

Since its establishment in 2007, the El Dorado Group has been credited with pioneering the Japanese beauty contact lenses industry and has played an iconic role in promoting the use of beauty contact lenses as a new style of “eye make-up”.

The El Dorado Group manages multiple brands such as “Candy Magic” and “ReVIA” which are positioned to accommodate the various fashion needs and styles of their consumers and are highly popular among all age groups of female users. The El Dorado Group established a Hong Kong presence in 2015 to pursue further growth through Asian expansion , mainly targeting Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Upon investment, Sunrise II and the El Dorado Group’s founder and major shareholder, Mr. Tomohiro Fujiwara, will jointly establish an SPC , CM Holdings Ltd. Following the transaction, the companies affiliated to the El Dorado Group will become 100% subsidiaries of CM Holdings Ltd. The El Dorado Group will retain the existing management team, company names, brand names and does not anticipate material changes in the business’ operations. Sunrise II will work closely with the El Dorado Group’s management team as a strategic partner to jointly pursue further growth both domestically and overseas.

About the El Dorado Group

The El Dorado Group specialises in the design, manufacture and sales of beauty contact lenses and related products. El Dorado Ltd is responsible for the design, manufacture and OEM contract manufacturing of the El Dorado Group’s products, Lcode Ltd handles the domestic sales of products and CANDY MAGIC International Limited handles the sales of products within the Asian region (ex-Japan), mainly within Hong Kong and Mainland China. The core beauty contact lenses business operates six main brands including “Candy Magic” and “ReVIA”, and distributes its products at nationwide beauty contact specialised stores, drug stores, discount stores and general merchandise stores in addition to distributing through various e-commerce channels.

About Sunrise Capital

Sunrise Capital is a Japan-dedicated private equity strategy, capitalising on opportunities in the mid-cap buyout sector. Sunrise Capital’s unique features include a hands -on approach, in assisting portfolio companies realise their growth potential, and support with overseas expansion through CLSA’s global network. Including the El Dorado Group, Sunrise Capital has completed investments in 11 companies since its establishment in 2006.

 

About CLSA Capital Partners

CLSA Capital Partners is the alternative asset management arm of CLSA, Asia’s leading and longest –running brokerage and investment group. CLSA Capital Partners has more than US$3 billion under management and offices

across the region, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. CLSA Capital Partners offers a diversified and increasing range of investment strategies managed by a diverse team of industry professionals with expertise in private equity, banking and finance, law and accountancy and various industry specialisations. For more information visit www.clsacapital.com

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Almi Invest invests in space technology Sally R for better air

Almi Invest invests in Vasteras based Sally R, a company that uses technology from space stations to have better indoor air to lower energy consumption in buildings. The issue is also involved private investors.

The company will use the money to produce a finished product and to start selling.

Sally R, founded in 2016, is developing a new system for climate management in real estate. By combining technology for closed systems for space stations using its own technology, Sally R may provide an air cleaner that provides a cleaner and better air with minimal power consumption.

Today, taking the climate systems in air from the outside and then sends out the excess. This requires a lot of energy, because the outside air must be filtered, heated or cooled depending on outdoor conditions. In space there is no outdoor air and where the air must be treated and recycled.

Sally R’s algorithm combines both systems and determine how much air should be based on how much should be recycled and how much should be cleaned using space technology.

This is a major improvement over the current system, where you have to choose between air quality and energy conservation. If you reduce the ventilation energy is saved, but get less air. Emphasis is however on cleaner air, as in an operating room, it draws more power.

With Sally Rs solution to get both.

– Given that buildings account for 1/3 of the world’s energy consumption, we see great potential for the company, says Jenny Jansson, investment manager at Almi Invest. Sally R has a very good team and a great product for a growing market that requires less energy.

The company will now apply for a patent and produce a first marketable version of the product.

– This investment will allow us to take the next step, says Sally R’s CEO and founder Viktor Kjellberg. Air pollution in the world’s a big problem and where we hope to make a difference.

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Ahlström Capital becomes the largest shareholder in both Detection Technology and Glaston

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Ahlström Capital has acquired shares representing approx. 39% of Detection Technology  Oyj and approx. 18% of Glaston Coorporation from Oy GW Sohlberg Ab(“GWS”). Ahlström Capital has hence become the largest shareholder in both companies. AC Invest Seven and Eight BV, wholly owned subsidiaries of Ahlström Capital, have today, 21 June 2017, acquired shares in Detection Technology and in Glaston from GWS. The acquisition price for the shares acquired in Detection Technology was EUR 18.27 per share, which represents a 11 % premium on the volume weighted average price for the last 30 days.
The total acquisition price for the acquired Detection Technology shares was approx. EUR 95.The acquisition price for shares acquired in Glaston was EUR 0.44 per share, which represents a 10 % premium

on the volume weighted average price for the last 30 days.

The total acquisition price for the acquired Glaston shares was approx. EUR 14.9 million.

Detection Technology is a global provider of X-ray imaging subsystems, components and services for medical, security and industrial applications.

The company’s net sales was EUR 76 million and EBIT 15 million in 2016.
Detection Technology has over 200 active customers in 40 countries. The company employs over 400 people in Finland, China and the US. Detection Technologies shares are listed on Nasdaq First North Finland.

Glaston is an international pioneer in glass processing technology and a leading supplier of lifecycle solutions in glass processing machines. The company provides a wide and advanced range of glass processing heat treatment machines, maintenance and upgrade services, tools and expert services.

Glaston’s net sales was EUR 107 million and comparable operating profit EUR 3 million in 2016. The company has over 400 employees, most of them located in Finland and China. Glaston’s shares are listed on NASDAQ Helsinki Ltd.
“These two companies fit well to Ahlström Capital as the deal broadens our portfolio with two attractive high-tech businesses.

Both companies have strong management and show good development potential with sustainable value creation opportunities”, says Hans Sohlström, President and CEO of Ahlström Capital.“

Detection Technology ,with a strong customer service approach, has had sever al years of impressive net sales growth.

We believe that the positive development will continue as the company focuses not only on customization and flexible production, but also on cost efficient product design at competitive manufacturing costs. Glaston has a leading technological position and a global sales and service network well in place to benefit from a recovering market. The competitiveness of the company has improved thanks to actions taken by the management during the last years”,

Hans Sohlström comments on the acquired companies.

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Conclusion of share sale: Greenyard food group, global player in vegetables and fruit

Gimv

Conclusion of share sale: Greenyard food group, global player in vegetables and fruit

Gimv was recently able to conclude the reduction of its participation in Greenyard, global market leader in vegetables and fruit, on Euronext Brussels (GREEN) with the sale of shares on the stock market.

In 2011, Gimv became a minority shareholder in PinguinLutosa via the Gimv-XL fund. With the objective of stimulating the further growth of successful Flemish companies to the next level and giving them the opportunity to achieve their ambitious plans, we were able, together with entrepreneur Hein Deprez and the Management, to realise the further expansion and growth of the company, first with the takeover of Scana-Noliko and later via the fusion with Univeg as well as many other investments in modern technology, capacity and other takeovers.

Today, the Greenyard group (www.greenyard.group) is the global market leader in vegetables and fruit with a client base comprised of the most important retailers in Europe. As a specialist in the processing and commercialisation of harvest-fresh vegetables, fruit and ready-made meals, the group is active in over 25 countries worldwide. With 9,000 employees and an annual turnover of approximately EUR 4.25 billion, it is, on an annual basis, one of the largest vegetable processors in Europe.

Over the entire 6 year investment period, this investment has resulted in returns that have exceeded the long-term average of Gimv. No further details about this transaction will be disclosed.

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Ufenau IV – Successful Divestment of NRW Building Technology

Ufenau

Ufenau IV – Successful Divestment of NRW Building Technology

Ufenau Capital Partners(“Ufenau”) has sold its majority shareholding in NRW Building Technology Holding GmbH (“NRW”) to funds advised by Bregal Unternehmerkapital(“Bregal”).

NRW, headquartered in Nordrhine-Westphalia and active at further six locations in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, is one of the leading independent technical building solutions providers with high quality planning, installation, design and engineering capabilities. Since partnering with Ufenau, NRW has grown the business considerably; sales increased from EUR 55m to EUR 115m in 2016. For 2017, sales are forecasted to achieve EUR 155m. This corresponds to a growth Of 180% since Ufenau’s entry in 2014.

In the same period, the number of employees increased significantly from approximately 350 to over 600.In addition to the strong organic growth, a major contribution relates to the acquisition of five strategic add-ons. Within the past 32 months, NRW acquired regional champions HSV Kälte-Klima-Lüftungstechnik, Wölpper, Issler, DL-Technik and Eberl.”

On behalf of NRW, I would like to thank the Ufenau team for its collaborative partnership and support to the growth and further development of our group.

During Ufenau’s ownership, NRW developed strongly and was able to further strengthen the regional presence in Germany, with sustainable investments in our employees.

We are very pleased to have found a long-term oriented partner in Bregal who supports our plans for further sustainable growth” comments Heinz-Josef Rehms, CEO of NRW.

Dieter Scheiff complements: “NRW has developed excellently during our ownership. With five successful strategic acquisitions, the newly implemented Buy -&-Build strategy was effectively executed and NRW has proved to be a

successful consolidator in a fragmented market. We wish all the best to NRW ’s management team in pursuing further its entrepreneurial goals”.

The Ufenau Team

 

About Ufenau Capital Partners

Ufenau Capital Partners is a privately owned Swiss Investor Group headquartered at the Lake Zurich which advises private investors, family offices and institutional investors with their investments in private equity.

Ufenau Capital Partners is focused on investments in service companies in German-speaking Europe and invests in the Education & Lifestyle, Business Services, Health Care and Financial Services sectors. Through a renowned Group of experienced Industry Partners (Owners, CEOs, CFOs),

Ufenau Capital Partners pursues an active value – adding investment approach on eye-level with entrepreneurs and managers.

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Viking Venture invests in gamified 3D simulation specialist Attensi

Viking Venture, the Norwegian B2B software investor, is happy to announce its investment in Attensi AS, a leader in gamified 3D simulations and training solutions. Viking Venture joins Attensi in order to help the company grow internationally.

Attensi was founded by serial entrepreneur Odd Skarheim in 2009 in Oslo, Norway, and has grown to be a leader in the use of gamified solutions for workforce training.

3D Gamified training

Attensi uses advanced 3D modelling with deep insight of human behavior and psychology to train employees in authentic situations involving human interaction and the operation of business critical software and systems. The company has customers such as global pharma company Merck, Norwegian leading retailer NorgesGruppen, car dealer Bertel O Steen and Avinor Oslo Airport Gardermoen among its more than 50 customers.
– At Avinor Oslo Airport we were able to train more than 22,000 employees before the new terminal building was finished, says Attensi CEO Anne Lise Waal.

Scalable tools and solutions

Viking Venture acquires 34% of Attensi and will help the company grow internationally.
– Viking Venture has an extensive track record from working with fast growing Norwegian B2B software companies. We are at an inflection point where international growth is our next focus and believe Viking Venture is the best partner for that journey, commented Odd Skarheim, Chairman and Founder of Attensi.
– We were impressed by the team and their products from the first moment. Attensi’s solutions make training fun and efficient in a way traditional e-learning never has been able to. The company is able to prove remarkable effects from their unique approach. We believe this is a new paradigm within digital learning and training says Eivind Bergsmyr, partner at Viking Venture and board member of Attensi.
– Attensi is an ideal fit with our B2B software investment focus and a great addition to the more than 40 investments we have done so far, adds Erik Hagen, Managing Partner of Viking Venture and a fellow board member of Attensi.

About Attensi

Attensi is a leader in 3D gamified simulations and training solutions headquartered in Oslo, Norway. The company has 40 employees and serves more than 50 customers over a wide range of industries. More information on www.attensi.com.

About Viking Venture

Viking Venture is a leading Nordic venture fund focused on B2B software companies with a recurring revenue business model. Viking Venture has invested in more than 40 companies and has more than 1.5 billion NOK under management. The company is located in Trondheim, Norway and London. More information on www.vikingventure.com. You can also read about the investment in Attensi in the Norwegian business newspaper DN (Norwegian only).

Contacts

Odd Skarheim, Founder and Chairman Attensi, odd.skarheim@attensi.com +47 900 11 595

Eivind Bergsmyr, Partner Viking Venture, eivind@vikingventure.com, +47 920 99 010

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Ferd partners with Fürst

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Ferd is now taking its first steps in the healthcare sector by collaborating with Fürst Medisinsk Laboratorium. The aim is for the collaboration to expand Fürst’s services and markets.

Fürst Medisinsk Laboratorium has 400 employees and specialises in medical biochemistry, clinical pharmacology, microbiology and pathology. The company analyses samples from over 12,000 patients a day, making it the largest medical laboratory in the Nordic region.

The company was founded by Valentin and Astri Fürst in 1950.

“My father joined Fürst in the mid-1970s and eventually became a co-owner. The company has been 100% owned by my family since 1995”, comments Asle Helgheim, who has been involved in the company since joining its board in 1992.

Long-term partner
It was announced just before Easter that Ferd was buying 40% of the share capital of Fürst Medisinsk Laboratorium. The company continues to be majority-controlled by Asle Helgheim and family after the sale of shares to Ferd.

“We chose to partner with Ferd because it possesses a great deal of expertise as well as significant resources. I don’t mean its financial resources so much as its people. Ferd will contribute to the company through its significant expertise, which will be essential for developing Fürst further, both on existing platforms and into new markets”, comments Asle Helgheim.

Going forward, the company wants to offer its services in new areas, including in genetics. The company is also in the process of developing the IT tool WebMed, which is a modern patient notes system designed to give primary care doctors a better overview of each patient’s progress.

“Over the long term, we want to invest beyond Norway, initially in Sweden, and also to continue to improve our core business. To do this, we need a high-quality, ambitious and long-term partner”, explains Asle Helgheim.

Efficient solutions
At Ferd, the investment team consisted of Trond Solberg, Maria Syse-Nybraaten, Gustav Martinsen and Julie Wiese. Ferd and Fürst had been in contact with one another and had been exploring the possibility of a partnership since summer 2016.

“Following a strategic decision to gain exposure to the healthcare sector, we are very pleased with the opportunity of partnering with the Helgheim family to develop a company as exciting as Fürst”, comments Maria Syse-Nybraaten.

The entire article is available (in Norwegian) here.

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