Category Archives: News

3i-backed Evernex continues its international growth with acquisition of Ultra Support

3I

3i Group plc (“3i”) announces that Evernex, a global leader in third-party maintenance (“TPM”) services for data centre infrastructure, has acquired Ultra Support, a leading UK-based TPM provider.

Ultra Support is a pure provider of third-party maintenance for data centres, servers and networking equipment. It is solely focused on channel sales through large IT service providers, reaching a user base of more than 1,100 end customers. The company combines expert technical and delivery capabilities with granular geographic coverage of the UK.

The acquisition marks the seventh since 3i’s investment in Evernex in October 2019. It sees Evernex reinforce its position in the UK, a strategic geographic expansion market due its size – the second-largest TPM market in Europe – as well as its rapid growth and the presence of international customers.

Evernex and Ultra Support have a track record of working together as commercial partners and combining the two groups is highly complementary. It will provide opportunities to deliver additional commercial synergies, building on the common values and culture between the two groups. The ongoing leadership of Ultra Support’s core team will maintain the same commitment to customer service and high standards that its partners expect and, as part of Evernex, Ultra Support will be able to leverage its expertise on a global basis.

Peter Hodgson, CEO and Co-Founder, Ultra Support, said: “Joining forces with Evernex represents an exciting opportunity for Ultra Support, our partners, and our team. Evernex’s global presence and comprehensive service offerings allow us to better meet the needs of our partners, both locally and internationally. Importantly, our commitment to a channel-only model ensures that it remains business as usual for our partners. Together, we are well-positioned to enhance the service experience for our partners and provide a wider range of solutions for data centre third-party maintenance.”

Stanislas Pilot, CEO, Evernex, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Ultra Support into the Evernex family. Their expertise in enterprise IT hardware maintenance and their strong channel relationships align perfectly with our mission to deliver reliable, flexible, and scalable IT solutions worldwide. A key element of this partnership is retaining the talented team at Ultra Support, who have been instrumental in the company’s success. This has always been our approach in M&A transactions, as we value and rely on local expertise to ensure seamless integration and growth.”

Marc Ohayon, Partner and Co-Head of France Private Equity, 3i, said: “With Ultra Support, Evernex gains an expert player in the UK TPM market, the second-biggest TPM market in Europe. Ultra Support’s expertise and quality of service make it an ideal partner. Since the beginning, our strategy has been to grow Evernex into an integrated global TPM provider, and this acquisition is another great step on that journey.”

-ENDS-

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For further information, contact:

3i Group plc

Kathryn van der Kroft
Media enquiries

Silvia Santoro
Shareholder enquiries

  

Tel: +44 20 7975 3021
Email: kathryn.vanderkroft@3i.com

Tel: +44 20 7975 3258
Email: silvia.santoro@3i.com

Notes to editors:

About 3i Group

3i is a leading international investment manager focused on mid-market Private Equity and Infrastructure. Its core investment markets are northern Europe and North America.

For further information, please visit: www.3i.com

About Evernex

Evernex is a leading third-party maintenance provider that specialises in the support of data centre infrastructure, helping to extend the lifespan of IT hardware, minimise system failures, and repair functional equipment. Additional solutions include spare parts management, recycling, secure data disposal, data centre removal and relocation, library repair, IT hardware rental, and financing solutions.

With a global footprint across 165+ countries, 500,000+ IT infrastructure systems maintained, readily available spare parts in over 340 forward-stocking locations, 24/7 technical support, and multi-vendor expertise, Evernex is a dependable partner and a convenient single point of contact for IT departments across industries.

For further information, please visit: www.evernex.com

About Ultra Support

Ultra Support is a UK-based third-party provider of data centre maintenance and project services headquartered in Melksham, Wiltshire. Ultra Support has built a strong reputation within the IT services industry, specialising in responsive, reliable support for mission-critical IT assets. With a large network of forward-stocking locations across the UK, Ultra Support’s dedicated professionals support tens of thousands of IT assets, ensuring high levels of service.

The company holds ISO27001, ISO9001, and ISO14001 certifications, demonstrating its commitment to quality, data security, and environmental responsibility.

For further information, please visit: www.ultrasupport.co.uk

 

Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i France.

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Shaw Gibbs expands geographical reach

Apiary Capital

Apiary portfolio company Shaw Gibbs, a leading accountancy and business advisory firm, has strengthened its presence in the south of England with the additions of Langdowns, Alliotts and Sestini & Co to the group.

Shaw Gibbs acquires Langdowns

Since Apiary Capital’s investment in November 2022, Shaw Gibbs has grown organically and through acquisition, from its base in Oxford to over 15 offices across central and southern England with 54 partners and 550 people serving over 14,000 SMEs, corporates and private clients.

In September 2024, Shaw Gibbs merged with Alliotts, a prestigious accountancy firm with offices in central London and Guildford. Alliotts brings 14 partners and a 100-strong team, offering a full range of accountancy services along with specialist services including media expertise, as well as business strategy and corporate finance services. Also in September, Shaw Gibbs acquired Sestini & Co, a specialist in tax consultancy for expatriates and high net worth individuals, with offices in Paulton and London.

The recent merger with Hampshire-based Langdowns, brings a well-respected practice with three offices, underscoring Shaw Gibbs’ commitment to delivering exceptional client service and adding a wealth of expertise to the Shaw Gibbs group.

“We are thrilled to welcome these three prestigious firms to the Shaw Gibbs group,” said Peter O’Connell, Managing Partner at Shaw Gibbs. “These additions not only enhance our strategic vision of expanding our geographical footprint but also enrich our core service offerings.”

Chris Heawood, Investment Director at Apiary Capital, commented, “We are delighted to support Peter and the Shaw Gibbs team as they continue to build an impressive group of accountancy and advisory businesses with a shared vision of providing high-quality service and advice to a loyal customer base.”

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Investcorp, in Partnership with PSP Investments, Makes Strategic Growth Investment in PKF O’Connor Davies

Investcorp

Investcorp, a leading global alternative investment firm, in partnership with the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (“PSP Investments”), today announced their strategic growth investment in PKF O’Connor Davies (“PKFOD”) (“the Organization”), one of the largest accounting, tax and advisory firms in the US.

This transaction represents a significant milestone for PKFOD, adding two experienced investors that will help fuel growth and expand service offerings to enhance the overall client experience. This partnership will elevate the Organization’s competitiveness and amplify long-term sustainability. The strengthened balance sheet will provide flexibility for increased M&A activity as well as investing in cutting-edge technology and new service lines.

Investcorp has a well-established record of investing in specialized professional services firms with notable investments including AlixPartners, ICR, Resultant, United Talent Agency and CrossCountry Consulting.

Steve Miller, Co-Head of North America Private Equity at Investcorp, said: “In recent years, Investcorp has established itself as a partner of choice for ambitious professional services organizations seeking to grow. Together with PSP Investments, with whom we have a history of investments in the professional services sector, and more than 200 PKFOD partners, we are excited to build upon the Organization’s decades of success.”

Vitali Bourchtein, Principal at Investcorp, said: “As ownership rules in the sector have evolved, we have been seeking the right platform to back. We were instantly impressed by PKFOD’s leadership team and the exceptional track record of financial performance. Providing the Organization with additional resources will help accelerate growth and enhance its competitive position in the accounting, tax and advisory verticals.”

David Morin, Managing Director and Head of North America, Private Equity at PSP Investments, added: “We are excited to partner with Investcorp and PKFOD to provide strategic capital and work together in realizing PKFOD’s full potential during their next chapter of growth.”

Kevin Keane, Executive Chairman at PKF O’Connor Davies, said: “Since inception, our identity as an Organization has been our enduring commitment to service. This investment from Investcorp and PSP Investments further validates that we have an attractive business with a great brand, great talent, and great customers. Investcorp and PSP Investments have a long history of backing profitable, industry-leading companies with demonstratable growth avenues and were impressed by PKFOD and the culture that we have built.”

Going forward, PKFOD will continue to operate in an alternative practice structure in accordance with applicable professional standards where PKF O’Connor Davies LLP, a licensed CPA firm, will continue to provide attest services and PKF O’Connor Davies Advisory LLC and its subsidiary entities will continue to provide tax and advisory services.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction has received regulatory approval and is subject to other standard closing conditions.

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DEScycle secures £10.2m to revolutionise metal recycling technology

The deep tech company has successfully closed its Series A round, co-led by BGF and Berlin-based Vorwerk Ventures.

18 November 2024
DEScycle secures £10.2m to revolutionise metal recycling technology

DEScycle, a deep tech company pioneering technology to recycle metals from electronic waste (e-waste), has successfully closed a £10.2 million Series A round.

The investment was led by BGF, with Berlin-based Vorwerk Ventures as co-lead. Incoming investors include Cisco Investments, Kadmos Capital, and Nesta. Follow-on investment was received from existing shareholders, including TSP Ventures, Green Angel Ventures, and CPI Enterprises.

E-waste is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream, with over $91 billion of e-waste produced in 2022, growing to $120 billion by 2030. Current recycling technologies are outdated, harmful to the environment, and difficult to scale. In addition, the pace of e-waste generation is outstripping the growth of recycling capacity by a factor of 5x (Global E-waste Monitor 2024).

DEScycle is delivering a clean, scalable technology that tackles this problem, creating local circular economies of recycled metals that reduce the reliance on international supply chains. The tech is based on a new eco-friendly class of chemistry: Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES).

“DEScycle is poised to make a significant impact on metals recovery and sustainable e-waste management. We look forward to supporting DEScycle’s mission to replace outdated pollutive technologies, delivering significant costs savings, increased performance, environmental impact, and transparency in the critical e-waste recycling sector.”
Rowan Bird
Investor at BGF

Funds raised will be used to construct and operate a pre-commercial pilot plant at Wilton International in Teesside, UK. The plant will be instrumental in demonstrating DEScycle’s DES-based technology in a real-world environment, as well as providing the data for commercial scale-up.

Future plans include the opening of an e-waste recycling facility in Gateshead, with the support from DEScycle’s joint venture partner, GAP Group, one of the UK’s largest e-waste recyclers. The commercial-scale plant will be able to recycle 5,000 tonnes of e-waste per year, producing critical raw materials, including copper and palladium, as well as precious metals, such as gold, for industrial use.

Descycle metal recycling technology

DEScycle is a keen supporter of the UK as an innovation and technology hub, and the company plans to continue to develop and scale its technology within the country. In doing so, it will leverage the deep knowledge and infrastructure that exists through its relationships with the University of Leicester (where DES was discovered in the early 2000s) and UK Catapult organisation CPI (Centre for Process Innovation), as well as new relationships, such as Wilton International, which is part of the Teesside industrial cluster and provides access to a permitted site for scaling chemistry-based technologies.

“This funding round accelerates our momentum, allowing us to progress bringing our innovative DES technology to the industrial level and demonstrate its effectiveness in real-world conditions. As a home-grown UK company, it is strategic to build both our pilot and commercial plants here. The UK is one of the world’s hubs for innovative technology, and we are proud to continue this legacy.”
Dr Rob Harris
CTO at DEScycle

DEScycle Chair, Ian Cockerill, said: “DEScycle has made significant progress over the last 18 months, and the successful closing of this funding round is a strong vote of confidence for the team, the technology, and our potential to revolutionise the metals industry. The business is paving the way for an environmentally responsible and profitable approach to metals recycling from e-waste. This is particularly relevant for growth areas, such as AI, which require a significant infrastructure rollout reliant on metals, all of which, due to their short lifespan, will be recyclable when DEScycle launches commercially.”

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Linkup raises €3 million to offer a new gateway to the “Internet of AIs”

Seedcamp

AI is fundamentally changing the nature of the Internet and its traditional business models. Developing an ethical, sustainable and efficient ecosystem for the web of AI agents is a priority.

We are excited to partner with Linkup, a French startup on a mission to build new pathways for AIs to access the web efficiently and fairly. Founded in 2024 by Philippe Mizrahi, Denis Charrier, and Boris Toledano – who bring together experience from Spotify, Lyft, and McKinsey, Linkup is an internet search and access engine designed for artificial intelligence.

With its proprietary API, Linkup enables AI companies of all sizes to benefit from fast and ethical access to online content through partnerships with a wide range of premium content sources.

Philippe Mizrahi, co-founder and CEO of Linkup, explains:

“The Internet was designed to facilitate information access for humans. Soon, AI agents will do this on our behalf. It is therefore essential to rethink the web to enable efficient browsing for these agents and to promote the emergence of a new business model. At Linkup, we put ethics at the heart of our technology, convinced that the future of AI agents lies in a sustainable ecosystem where content providers, who are vital to the richness of the internet, are fairly compensated.”

On why we partnered with Linkup, our Partner Sia Houchangnia comments:

“AI tools have unprecedented potential to transform industries, and their power increases exponentially when connected to vast, relevant data sources. With the rise of AI agents, we have a unique opportunity to rethink our digital infrastructure for a world that demands a fairer and more sustainable approach to content access, an area that has long needed change. This is where Linkup comes in. As a pioneer of a new ethical model for tomorrow’s web traffic, Linkup is setting a new standard where deep analysis and powerful applications go hand in hand with fairness.”

We are excited to partner with Linkup from day one and lead its €3 million funding round, joined by Axeleo Capital, Motier Ventures, Kima Ventures, as well as a hundred business angels from the tech and media industries.

With the new funding, Linkup plans to:

  • Develop its proprietary models and capabilities;
  • Deploy its solution on a larger scale with suitable infrastructure;
  • Continue to build partnerships with content publishers and data providers.
  • Strengthen its technical team, particularly for Machine Learning and Software Engineering positions.

In October 2024, Linkup was selected for the Microsoft GenAI Studio, with support from Microsoft, Nvidia, Github, Mistral AI, and Cellenza. Moreover, the company is already supported by strong partnerships in Asia and the United States and plans to accelerate its deployment across the USA in the upcoming months.

For more information, visit linkup.so.

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CCMC Announces Strategic Investment from Charlesbank Capital Partners, Formation of Community Management Holdings

Charlesbank

Partnership will enable the community association management company to enhance services for its communities and achieve greater scale across the United States

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, November 18, 2024 – CCMC (“CCMC” or the “Company”), a leading community association management company, today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Charlesbank Capital Partners (“Charlesbank”), a middle-market private investment firm with approximately $19 billion of assets under management as of 9/30/24, through which Charlesbank will become an investor in CCMC alongside CCMC’s management team.

Founded in 1973, CCMC is a prominent provider of community association management services with a focus on large-scale master-planned communities (“MPC”), proudly serving more than 155 communities in 9 states across the country. The new capital partnership will help CCMC continue to deliver on its commitment to providing the highest-quality service to its managed communities and exceptional resident and team member experiences.

“CCMC’s number one priority is to provide the best customer service to our communities and their residents. We couldn’t be more excited to enter into this partnership with Charlesbank, which will enable us to invest for the future and bring new services, capabilities, and technologies to our communities and team members,” said David Atrostic, Chief Executive Officer at CCMC. “With Charlesbank, we have found a like-minded partner that shares our core values, and we strongly believe that the firm’s track record as a relationship-driven partner in the business services sector will enable us to responsibly grow the business while staying true to CCMC’s special culture and honoring its legacy.”

Concurrent with the investment, a new parent company, Community Management Holdings, has been formed to pursue adjacent growth avenues, including serving smaller-scale communities that CCMC does not focus on today. Deb Dulsky, a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in the residential services space, has joined as Chief Executive Officer of Community Management Holdings. She brings an extensive track record of sustainable growth and deep experience in relevant people-based businesses, including most recently as CEO of SafeBasements and prior to that as President of HomeServe North America’s HVAC business. As CEO of Community Management Holdings, she will focus especially on overseeing strategic expansion into additional community types while also managing the Company’s approach to M&A.

“I am honored to join this impressive organization, as CCMC has a long history as a dedicated and trusted partner to its communities and team members,” said Ms. Dulsky. “Through Community Management Holdings, we will now be able to invest in new capabilities and deliberate growth, while enabling the existing CCMC team to stay focused on delivering the outstanding customer service and team member experience that clients have come to expect.”

“Over the past 50 years, CCMC has established itself as a leader in the community management industry, with an enviable track record serving large-scale, master planned communities,” said David Katz, Managing Director at Charlesbank. “We look forward to partnering with CCMC to help the business further enhance its value proposition to clients and to employees.”

Griffin Financial Group LLC served as financial advisor and Quarles & Brady LLP provided legal counsel to CCMC. William Blair & Company LLC served as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal counsel to Charlesbank.

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BlueEarth completes inaugural private credit investment in Healthcare with Namibian Hospital partnership

Blue Earth Capital

Blue Earth Capital (“BlueEarth”), a global specialist impact investor, today announces an $ 11 million private credit commitment to Rhino Park Holdings (Proprietary) Limited (“Rhino Park”), a leading multi-disciplinary private hospital in Namibia specializing in maternity and neonatal healthcare.

The investment marks BlueEarth’s first private credit investment in the healthcare sector, and the issuance of its second sustainability-linked loan. BlueEarth’s investment supports the acquisition of the hospital by Salt Capital, a Southern Africa focused private equity investment manager. The funding will work to catalyze Rhino Park’s ambitious expansion plans, including the development of a best-in-class operating theatre for more advanced surgical procedures, an innovative primary healthcare center, and new MRI imaging facilities.

The maternal mortality rate is one of Namibia’s most pressing healthcare concerns, ranking second highest among upper-middle-income countries globally.13  In addition, neonatal disorders are a leading cause of premature death in Namibia, with 32% of under-five deaths occurring in the first month of life.14 As Namibia’s second-largest private hospital with a world-class obstetrics department – the nation’s largest – Rhino Park is at the forefront of addressing these critical healthcare challenges in the country.

Beyond immediate patient care, Rhino Park demonstrates its commitment to furthering the nation’s healthcare development by offering nursing student placement programs and providing study loans to its nursing staff. This further upskills workers, ensuring continuity to Namibia’s ability to produce an adequate supply of skilled domestic health workers.

These factors, combined with the sustainability and impact-linked characteristics of the facility, (BlueEarth’s second such loan), work to ensure full alignment with BlueEarth’s dual mission of generating compelling social impact alongside financial returns, and represents a significant step in advancing healthcare accessibility and quality in Southern Africa.

Amy Wang, Head of Private Credit at BlueEarth, comments: “This partnership with Salt Capital represents a wonderful opportunity to transform healthcare delivery in Namibia. By investing into Rhino Park’s growth, we are not just expanding a leading medical center but also helping to build a healthier future for Namibians. We hope that this investment will help provide high-quality healthcare to an increasing number of patients and support the steady improvement of overall health outcomes. Healthcare has long been a priority vertical impact at Blue Earth Capital, and we are very excited to complete our investment alongside these trusted partners. We are also particularly proud to continue driving forward the practice of linking impact with financial return with our second sustainability-linked loan.”

Martin van Niekerk, CEO of Rhino Park, comments: “We are thrilled for the support received from BlueEarth, which will allow us to embark on an ambitious expansion plan that will significantly enhance our healthcare offerings. This funding will allow us to expand our facilities, invest in advanced medical technologies, and increase our capacity to serve our community. Our commitment to providing exceptional, caring, dignified, and affordable patient care to the people of Namibia remains unwavering, and this expansion will position us to better meet the growing needs of our patients and families in the years to come.’’

Jan Bosch, Managing Partner at Salt Capital, comments: “Today marks an exciting milestone for our firm as we close this transaction, bringing together a shared vision and complementary strengths of Salt Capital and the management team of Rhino Park hospital to create lasting value. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, our partners, and all those who contributed to making this deal possible. We extend our sincere gratitude to our debt funding partners, Blue Earth Capital, for their invaluable support and confidence, which played a crucial role in bringing this vision to life. We look forward to supporting Rhino Park to continue on its journey of growth and service to the community and are confident in our ability to drive meaningful impact and deliver strong returns for all our stakeholders.’’

 -END-

 Note to editors

About Blue Earth Capital
Blue Earth Capital is a global, independent, specialist impact investor, headquartered in Switzerland, with operations in New York, London, and Konstanz. Blue Earth Capital seeks to address the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges by delivering measurable impact alongside aiming for attractive and market-rate financial returns. The company operates dedicated private equity, private credit, and fund solutions as well as separately managed accounts. Blue Earth Capital is owned by the Blue Earth Foundation, a Stiftung (charity/trust) registered in Switzerland that focuses on deep impact to support initiatives and business ventures to help deliver a more equitable and sustainable future.

About Rhino Park
Rhino Park is a leading multi-disciplinary private hospital in Namibia with a specialty in maternity and neonatal healthcare. Founded over 30 years ago in 1994, the hospital started out as a day hospital and has since grown to become the joint second largest private hospital in the country with the largest obstetrics department in the country, whilst also being the first hospital to have established one of only two pediatric ICUs in Namibia.

About Salt Capital
Founded in 2012, Salt Capital is a private equity fund manager focused on SME growth capital investments in the sub-Saharan Africa. Based in London and Johannesburg, Salt Capital’s four Partners have built a track record of successful private equity investments with a core focus on the African consumer.

 

Blue Earth Capital media contact:
Kekst CNC
Blueearthcapital@kekstcnc.com

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Nordic Capital to acquire Anaqua, a leading global Intellectual Property Management solutions provider

Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital has entered into exclusive negotiations regarding the acquisition of a controlling interest in Anaqua from its existing shareholders led by Astorg

• A strategic investment focused on driving the continued growth of one of the world’s leading Intellectual Property Management software platforms, serving the largest and most innovative organisations

Nordic Capital, an experienced private equity investor in Technology & Payments globally, has entered into exclusive negotiations regarding the acquisition of Anaqua from Astorg. Anaqua is a leading provider of innovation and intellectual property (IP) management technology solutions and services, trusted by nearly half of the top 100 U.S patent holders, leading global brands, and numerous law firms worldwide. This acquisition would support Anaqua’s global expansion and strengthen its market position by continuing to invest in its best-in-class software platform and enhancing its operational capabilities.

Anaqua’s differentiated solution integrates best-practice workflows, data analytics, foreign filings, and patent and trademark renewal payments into a single, mission critical software platform. This platform offers a unique end-to-end value proposition to streamline operations, inform strategy and empower decision-making around customers’ valuable IP portfolios.

“Nordic Capital shares our vision of a software-led IP management platform, making them the ideal partner for our next phase of growth. Their deep sector experience, successful history of investing in software companies and vast global network would help us continue to transform the IP management industry,” commented Bob Romeo, CEO at Anaqua. “Nordic Capital would enable us to accelerate our global expansion, enhance our technology-driven solutions and drive operational excellence, all of which is for the ultimate benefit of our clients,” added Justin Crotty, COO at Anaqua.

Anaqua was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with offices across the US, Europe and Asia. Today, driven by more than 800 employees globally, Anaqua has grown into a leader in IP SaaS solutions. Its scalable cloud platform helps thousands of blue-chip corporate and law firm clients, including Nvidia, Honda, and IBM, to elevate innovation and IP management from asset protection to strategic advantage.

“Nordic Capital has closely followed Anaqua’s impressive progress and would be pleased to invest in a leader in IP management and innovation technology. This partnership would align with our commitment to supporting companies that drive industry transformation and would fit perfectly with Nordic Capital’s technology investment strategy. We look forward to supporting Anaqua in its next phase of growth, helping them to expand their global footprint further and establishing the leading IP management platform for innovation-driven industries,” commented Fredrik Näslund, Partner and Head of Technology & Payments, at Nordic Capital Advisors.

Nordic Capital has over 20 years of experience accelerating the growth of innovative technology companies and would be set to leverage its deep sub-sector and operational knowledge to create value and boost Anaqua’s ambitious plans. It has made 33 technology investments in companies with an aggregate enterprise value of circa EUR 26 billion, including ArisGlobal, Inovalon, Macrobond, Regnology, Trustly and Zafin. Nordic Capital also has a long history of investing in partnerships with owners, founders and management.

In recent years, the global IP landscape has been significantly influenced by advancements in technology and the increasing importance of data-driven decision-making. Increasingly relevant trends in the space include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in IP management, the rise of big data analytics and the need for robust IP protection frameworks. Anaqua is at the forefront of these trends, offering a comprehensive platform to streamline IP operations and enhance strategic decision-making. By addressing the complexities of IP management with fully-integrated solutions, Anaqua is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of companies worldwide and drive the future of the industry.

The financial terms of the transaction are confidential as agreed upon by all parties. Relevant staff representatives are being consulted as per applicable laws and, subject to approval from the relevant regulatory and antitrust authorities, closing could occur by Q1 2025. William Blair acted as financial advisor to Nordic Capital. Arma Partners and Jefferies acted as exclusive financial advisors and Latham & Watkins acted as legal advisor to Astorg and Anaqua on this transaction.

Media contacts:

Nordic Capital
Elin Ljung
Managing Director, Head of Communications & Sustainability
+46 70-866 10 40
elin.ljung@nordiccapital.com

US media contact – Brunswick Group
nordiccapitalus@brunswickgroup.com

Anaqua
Nancy Hegarty
VP Marketing
Tel: +1.617.375.2655
nhegarty@anaqua.com

About Anaqua
Anaqua, Inc. is a premium provider of integrated technology solutions and services for the management of intellectual property (IP). Anaqua’s AQX® and PATTSY WAVE® IP management solutions combine best practice workflows with big data analytics and technology-enabled services to create an intelligent environment that informs IP strategies, enables IP decisions and streamlines IP processes. Today, nearly half of the 100 largest U.S. patent applicants and global brands, as well as a growing number of law firms worldwide, use Anaqua’s solutions. Over two million IP executives, lawyers, paralegals, administrators and innovators use the platform for their IP management. The company is headquartered in Boston, with additional offices in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. For more information, please visit anaqua.com or LinkedIn.

About Nordic Capital
Nordic Capital is a leading sector-specialist private equity investor with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a long history. Focus sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, and Services & Industrial Tech. Key regions are Europe and globally for Healthcare and Technology & Payments investments. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested EUR 26 billion in close to 150 investments. The most recent entities are Nordic Capital XI with EUR 9.0 billion in committed capital and Nordic Capital Evolution with EUR 1.2 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors such as pension funds. Nordic Capital Advisors have local offices in Sweden, the UK, the US, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and South Korea. www.nordiccapital.com.

“Nordic Capital” refers to, depending on the context, any, or all, Nordic Capital branded entities, vehicles, structures, and associated entities. The general partners and/or delegated portfolio managers of Nordic Capital’s entities and vehicles are advised by several non-discretionary sub-advisory entities, any or all of which are referred to as “Nordic Capital Advisors”.

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EQT Life Sciences leads €54 Million Series A Financing of ATB Therapeutics

EQT Life Science

Proceeds will fund clinical development of oncology and immunology therapeutics derived from innovative antibody payload platform

Mark Throsby, industry veteran and former CSO of Merus, joins as Executive Chair

 

EQT Life Sciences is pleased to announce that its LSP 7 fund has invested in ATB Therapeutics. The €54 million Series A funding round is aimed at accelerating the clinical development of a groundbreaking therapeutic antibody pipeline derived from its proprietary ATBioFarm platform. The financing was co-led by EQT Life Sciences and MRL Ventures Fund (MRLV, a corporate venture arm of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA) alongside contributions from V-Bio, VIVES Partners, the Belgian sovereign fund SFPIM, Wallonie Entreprendre, Sambrinvest, and existing investors.

ATB Therapeutics is dedicated to pioneering first-in-class biologics that incorporate novel cell-killing mechanisms, including enzymatic functionalities, within targeted antibodies. These rapidly produced antibodies combine multiple targeting and killing domains, enhancing their effectiveness and safety compared to traditional conjugates. The ATBioFarm technology facilitates the scalable, single-step production of these sophisticated biologics, promising significant advancements across various therapeutic applications.

The investment will enable ATB to expand and enhance the ATBioFarm platform, as well as to accelerate development of its unique weaponized antibodies for oncology and immunology applications. ATB’s research and development operations will be extended to Ghent and will continue in Marche-en-Famenne, where the Company is setting up a cutting-edge pilot manufacturing facility.

In conjunction with this funding, Mark Throsby has been appointed ATB’s Executive Chairman. Mark is an industry veteran and the former Chief Scientific Officer of Merus, where he was instrumental in the development of the bispecific antibody therapeutics. With his wealth of experience and expertise in antibody development, Mark further strengthens the Company’s leadership, as ATB embarks on this pivotal phase of growth. The Company is also welcoming seasoned biotech investors John de Koning, Partner at EQT, and Karin Kleinhans, Partner at MRLV, to its Board of Directors.

“Our successful financing round demonstrates the strong potential of the ATBioFarm platform and the confidence prominent international investors have in our vision,” stated Bertrand Magy, CEO and co-founder of ATB Therapeutics. “We are grateful to our investors and the Région Wallonne for their unwavering support. This funding will enable us to bolster our team, expand our operations, and advance our mission to deliver transformative therapies to patients worldwide.”

Mark Throsby expressed his enthusiasm for this new role, stating, “I am particularly impressed by the ATBioFarm platform’s capability to swiftly generate a diverse array of candidate molecules with unique cytotoxic and targeting features. This innovative approach addresses critical challenges in selecting ADC drug candidates and opens avenues for new mechanisms of action that fulfill unmet clinical needs. I look forward to collaborating with the ATB team to bring this vision to reality.”

“The founders of ATB Therapeutics have demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurial vision by establishing a proprietary drug discovery, development, and manufacturing platform from the ground up,” remarked John de Koning, Partner at EQT. “The platform’s ability to manufacture antibodies from a single expression construct that integrates both targeting and direct cytotoxic functions is truly exceptional, positioning ATB as a prospective leader in the next generation of biopharmaceuticals.”

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

 

About

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 246 billion in total assets under management (EUR 134 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
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EQT Exeter to Acquire Strategic Supply Chain Assemblage Comprising Nearly Five Million Square Feet of Institutional Quality Industrial Assets

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Transaction consists of 33 high-quality distribution buildings located across 12 major industrial markets throughout the United States, all with adjacencies to EQT Exeter offices

Properties include a mix of big box distribution and last-mile facilities primed to serve a variety of tenants in the Southeast, Midwest, and Texas

EQT Exeter plans to implement strategic make-ready improvements to fill the remaining vacancy and collaborate with existing tenants to maintain steady occupancy and cash flow

EQT Exeter, a leading global real estate investment manager, is pleased to announce that the EQT Exeter Industrial Value Fund VI (“EQT Exeter”) has acquired 33 industrial assets (“the Assemblage”) strategically located in prime submarkets across the United States. Twenty-one of the assets are located in markets with an EQT Exeter office.

The Assemblage consists of over 4.5 million square feet of bulk and last-mile industrial facilities with an average building size of over 138,000 square feet. The properties are located across four core regional markets, including the Southeast (Richmond, Atlanta, and Jacksonville); the “E-Commerce Triangle” (Louisville, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis); the Midwest (Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Minnesota); and El Paso, Texas.

Strategically located within these prime logistics corridors, the properties provide seamless connectivity to key interstate routes and major population centers, optimizing both last-mile and regional distribution. Designed with best-in-class features, these buildings support a broad spectrum of distribution functions and offer flexible suite sizes. Diverse site plans, optimal clear heights, and abundant dock positions maximize operational efficiency, catering to the diverse needs of today’s tenants. The properties feature 34 unique tenants and four vacant suites. Roughly 38% of the existing tenants constitute current relationships within EQT Exeter’s portfolio, reflecting the depth of the firm’s global tenant-partner relationships.

The Assemblage is approximately 90% leased with staggered lease terms. EQT Exeter intends to enhance value through the make-ready and lease-up of the remaining 428,000 square feet of available space across the assets. Through its “locals-with-locals” approach, EQT Exeter intends to strengthen existing tenant-partner relationships, foster new ones, and ensure the assets continue to meet the evolving needs of the tenants they aim to serve.

Chris Riley of CBRE arranged the transaction with assistance from Ryan Bain, Frank Fallon, Judd Welliver, José Lobón, Jonathan Beard, and Jonathan Bryan of CBRE National Partners.

Contact

EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

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About EQT Exeter
EQT Exeter is a global real estate investment manager with over $29 billion of equity under management. EQT Exeter acquires, develops, leases, and manages logistics/industrial, office, life science and residential properties in Europe, the Americas and Asia. With over 440 experienced professionals operating in more than 50 offices globally, EQT Exeter owns and operates over 2,000 properties and 375 million square feet. EQT Exeter’s track record comprises over $45 billion in total property gross asset value since inception, spanning over 450 million square feet globally. EQT Exeter is the real estate division of EQT AB, a purpose-driven global investment organization.

More info: https://eqtexeter.com/

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