Tag Archives: Consumer brands

HL Display acquires CoolPresentation to improve market position in the Netherlands

Ratos

HL Display is acquiring CoolPresentation, a provider of shelf merchandising solutions for grocery retail in the Netherlands. The acquisition will strengthen HL’s customer base and position as a leading supplier for in-store merchandising and communication solutions to grocery retailers in Europe.

HL Display is strengthening its market position through the acquisition of CoolPresentation, a provider of shelf merchandising solutions based in Heerenveen, the Netherlands. The company has an annual sale of around €4m. Founded in 1997, CoolPresentation has built a strong position in Dutch retail, providing high quality products and service levels to both grocery retail, pharmacies and brand suppliers.

“Since the founding in 1997, CoolPresentation has grown into a well-established supplier of shelf merchandising in Dutch food retail,” says Björn Borgman, CEO of HL Display. “Their passion for retail and excellent service levels make CoolPresentation a perfect fit for HL. Furthermore, merging both companies’ product ranges will create a strong offer to an expanded customer base which will support our market position as a leading supplier of in-store communication and merchandising solutions for the grocery industry.”

“With the acquisition of the CoolPresentation we gain access to new customers in the Netherlands and consolidate the market further enabling both production and other synergies. The acquisition is another step in HLs journey to further strengthen its market leadership position across Europe, with both organic and inorganic growth,” says Joakim Twetman, Head of Business Area Industry, Ratos.

The acquisition was completed on 1st of April 2021.

For further information, please contact:
Joakim Twetman, Head of Business Area Industry, Ratos
+46 70 339 16 66
joakim.twetman@ratos.com

Björn Borgman, CEO, HL Display
+46 722 64 17 90
Bjorn.Borgman@hl-display.com

 

About HL Display:
HL Display is a global leader in in-store merchandising and communication solutions, helping customers to create a better shopping experience around the world. Founded in 1954, HL today is present in more than 70 countries and solutions can be found in 295,000 stores, helping customers to grow sales, inspire shoppers, drive automation, and reduce waste. The HL Display Group has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden and sales companies covering 26 markets as well as distributor partners covering the remaining markets globally. The company has 1,000 employees and net sales of 1,520 MSEK.

About Ratos:
Ratos is a business group consisting of 11 companies divided into three business areas: Construction & Services, Consumer & Technology and Industry. In total, the companies have SEK 33 billion in sales. Our business concept is to develop companies headquartered in the Nordics that are or can become market leaders. We enable independent companies to excel by being part of something larger. People, leadership, culture and values are key focus areas for Ratos. Everything we do is based on Ratos’s core values: Simplicity, Speed in Execution and It’s All About People.

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Evergreen acquires Baileys Fertilisers Holdings Pty Ltd

Exponent

Evergreen has recently completed the acquisition of Baileys Fertilisers Holdings Pty Ltd (“Baileys”), a leading player in the consumer branded garden products market in Australia.

Baileys is a fourth generation family-owned garden care business based outside Perth in Western Australia. The business has a portfolio of growing media and granulated plant and lawn fertilisers sold under the popular Baileys brand which is well-recognised and respected in the Western Australian garden care market. This acquisition brings a new strong brand, manufacturing and distribution capabilities in Western Australia which complements Evergreen’s presence in this market.

Baileys is Evergreen’s fifth acquisition under Exponent’s ownership.

Evergreen

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EURAZEO BRANDS SIGNS EXCLUSIVITY AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE MAJORITY OF FRENCH PET FOOD BRAND ULTRA PREMIUM DIRECT

Eurazeo

Eurazeo Brands, the division of Eurazeo focused on high growth, differentiated consumer brands, has signed an exclusivity agreement under which it would invest 68 million euros in Ultra Premium Direct as a majority shareholder. Eurazeo is investing alongside co-founders Sophie and Matthieu Wincker and Eutopia, existing minority shareholder via Otium Consumer, which would reinvest in the transaction via its new fund.

Founded in 2013, Ultra Premium Direct (“UPD”) has quickly become a leading player in the French premium pet food market. As a digitally-native brand, it has a strong and engaged community, and was selected as one of the French Tech 120 in 2021. Thanks to its unique positioning and direct approach, Ultra Premium Direct aims at democratizing premium pet food, offering natural products which cater to pet needs at an attractive price point, directly through its own website and subscription service.

Ultra Premium Direct is focused on improving pet health and well-being. The company develops high protein products with no artificial colourings or preservatives in collaboration with veterinarian nutritionists to ensure balanced and appropriate recipes. Its R&D capabilities and owned industrial plant in Agen, south of France, has enabled strong control over its value chain and contributed to the local roots of the brand.
Eurazeo Brands would leverage its proven brand building, operating and consumer expertise to partner with UPD and support the company’s growth. Specifically, Eurazeo will invest in UPD’s digital and e-commerce capabilities to strengthen the brand and its community, and work alongside management to enhance UPD’s product and service offering. In addition, Eurazeo would utilize its global network to help UPD in its international expansion, notably in Europe, and provide its internal CSR expertise to support the brand’s purpose-driven mission.
This majority investment in Ultra Premium Direct demonstrates Eurazeo Brands’ willingness to pursue its European development, after the acquisition of Swedish brand Axel Arigato in November 2020. It would represent Eurazeo Brands ninth investment since May 2017.

Laurent Droin, Managing Director of Eurazeo Brands, said:
The pet food category benefits from very attractive underlying trends towards pet humanization, premiumization and search for quality and transparency. We are convinced that Ultra Premium Direct is a modern and differentiated brand as a result of its direct approach to consumers, without intermediaries, and high quality product offering distributed at a fair price point. We are eager to work alongside Sophie and Matthieu Wincker – co-founders of Ultra Premium Direct – and their team to support the future growth of the company by accelerating momentum in France and expanding internationally, penetrating new geographies.

Sophie and Matthieu Wincker, Co-founders of Ultra Premium Direct, said:
We are thrilled by Eurazeo’s investment into the company. Ultra Premium Direct was a pioneer in the pet food category and has become a leading player in France. We are delighted to benefit from Eurazeo’s support for our next journey, notably for our European expansion, and are convinced Eurazeo will be the right partner given their successful track record and capabilities. Together, we will further fulfill our mission to make quality pet food accessible to as many dogs and cats as possible.

About Ultra Premium Direct
Ultra Premium Direct is a French premium petfood brand. Founded in 2013 by Sophie and Matthieu Wincker, two animal-lovers, the brand differentiates itself, offering high quality products catering to dogs and cats’ natural needs, distributed exclusively through its own website, with an attractive price point. Ultra Premium Direct relies on a short and vertically integrated value chain thanks to owned production and logistic facility in Agen, allowing to offer a differentiated experience to consumers. The brand is highly authentic, mindful, and animates a strong community of loyal and engaged fans, sharing Ultra Premium Direct values and acting as brand ambassadors.

About Eurazeo
Eurazeo is a leading global investment group, with a diversified portfolio of €21.8 billion in Assets Under Management, including €15.0 billion from third parties, invested in over 450 companies. With its considerable private equity, real estate and private debt expertise, Eurazeo accompanies companies of all sizes, supporting their development through the commitment of its nearly 300 professionals and by offering deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a responsible and stable foothold for transformational growth. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term. Eurazeo has offices in Paris, New York, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, London, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Berlin and Madrid. Eurazeo is listed on Euronext Paris. ISIN: FR0000121121 – Bloomberg: RF FP – Reuters: EURA.PA

About Eutopia
Eutopia is a Paris & NYC based investment fund dedicated to consumer startups with a purpose. Eutopia’s investment thesis is driven by current shifts in consumer behavior. We back founders who are rethinking the way we eat, shop, sleep and feel through a “good for me, good for the communities, good for the planet” approach. The team manages 170 million euros and has invested in 26 companies including Oh My Cream !, Hari&co, Tediber, Tiptoe or Nous Epiceries Anti-Gaspi. For more information please visit: www.eutopia.vc.

EURAZEO CONTACTS

PIERRE BERNARDIN
HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS
mail : pbernardin@eurazeo.com
Tél : +33 (0)1 44 15 16 76

VIRGINIE CHRISTNACHT
HEAD OF
COMMUNICATIONS
mail: vchristnacht@eurazeo.com
Tel: +33 1 44 15 76 44

PRESS CONTACT

MAITLAND/amo
DAVID STURKEN
mail: dsturken@maitland.co.uk
Tel: +
44 ( 7990 595 913

 

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Herkules completes listing of Linas Matkasse (LMK Group AB) on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth

Herkules
On 29 March 2021, LMK Group AB (“LMK”) or (“the Company”) was listed on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market. LMK Group provides fresh, healthy, flexible and adaptable meal kit solutions to around 115,000 active and 405,000 registered customers in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The listing completes a partial exit of Herkules IV’s investment in Linas Matkasse.
The share offering was based on a market capitalisation of SEK 760 million and the share offering deal size was SEK 575 million. The transaction structure comprised of SEK 250 million in primary capital and a secondary sell down of SEK 325 million (incl. SEK 75 million in Green shoe). Herkules IV will remain the largest shareholder, holding 11% of the shares after listing.

The listing together with an ownership spread of the Company’s shares will promote continued growth and development. An ownership spread of the Company’s shares entails increased credibility and knowledge as well as a quality stamp that the Company considers could be beneficial in customer relationships, to attract and retain staff and in relation to suppliers. The proceeds of SEK 250 million, is intended to be used to (1) acquire the remaining shares of RetNemt.dk ApS in Denmark, (2) redeem the group’s outstanding bond and (3) finance transaction related costs and working capital.

The current investment team, comprised of Gert Munthe and Fredrik Kongsli, will represent Herkules on the board and continue to work closely with the company.

LMK Group provides fresh, healthy, flexible and adaptable meal kit solutions to around 115,000 active and 405,000 registered customers in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. For more information about the company, please visit https://lmkgroup.se/

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EQT Private Equity broadens investor base in Epidemic Sound – brings in AMF, Alecta and TIN

eqt
  • EQT Private Equity brings in blue chip investors Alecta, AMF and TIN in a minority sale in Epidemic Sound
  • The new partners broaden Epidemic Sound’s investor base and add additional resources to support its long-term growth
  • EQT remains as largest owner of Epidemic Sound and continues to back its mission to soundtrack the internet

EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Mid Market Europe fund (“EQT Private Equity”) brings in Swedish blue chip pension funds Alecta and AMF and fund management company TIN through a minority sale in Epidemic Sound (“Epidemic” or “the Company”), the market leading platform for restriction-free music.

Today’s announcement comes just two weeks after the news that EQT Growth and Blackstone Growth jointly have invested USD 450 million in the Company. The welcoming of AMF, Alecta and TIN now concludes Epidemic Sound’s total funding round of approximately USD 540 million at a USD 1.4 billion valuation.

Epidemic Sound’s mission to soundtrack the internet by providing content creators and online storytellers with restriction-free music is not something that happens overnight, but the Company is taking incremental steps in that direction. Today, Epidemic’s music is played for over one billion hours on average per month on YouTube alone – a 400 percent increase since July 2019. AMF, Alecta and TIN all share Epidemic’s long-term mindset and bringing them in as partners broadens the investor base and adds additional resources to support continuous growth.

After having acquired a 40 percent stake in Epidemic Sound in 2017, EQT Private Equity has over the past years invested heavily in growing the Company’s online reach and distribution capabilities. EQT has also supported the transition of Epidemic’s physical sales operations to a digital and highly scalable sales channels offering. Furthermore, over the past few years, the Company’s organizational backbone has been significantly improved while revenues have increased by more than five times.

Following today’s announcement, EQT Private Equity and a group of minority shareholders are partially selling stakes, but EQT remains as the largest owner in Epidemic Sound as a testimony to its belief for long-term value creation and strong growth potential.

Victor Englesson, Partner and Investment Advisor at EQT Partners, commented, “Epidemic Sound is a Swedish success story and the company is the most recent unicorn coming out of our country. CEO Oscar Höglund and his team have built Epidemic by combining two of Sweden’s most well known export commodities – music and technology, and EQT is proud to continue supporting their global growth journey. We are also excited to welcome blue-chip investors AMF, Alecta and TIN as new partners. In their capacity as managers of Swedish pension capital, they all share our mindset of long-term and responsible ownership.”

Oscar Höglund, Co-founder and CEO of Epidemic Sound, commented, “I’m delighted to welcome our new investors on board to help us accelerate our mission to soundtrack this generation’s greatest achievement: the internet. Together with our investors and our creative communities, we’re excited to continue supercharging two things that have become synonymous with Sweden: music and technology.”

The transaction closed on 22 March 2021.

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with more than EUR 84 billion in raised capital and currently more than EUR 52 billion in assets under management across 17 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America with total sales of more than EUR 27 billion and approximately 159,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

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

About Epidemic Sound
Epidemic Sound, the market leading platform for restriction-free music, is headquartered in Stockholm, heard around the globe and on a mission to soundtrack the world.

The company has democratized access to music for storytellers. Its innovative digital rights model paves the way for creators – everyone from YouTubers to small businesses to the world’s largest brands – to use ‘restriction-free music’ to take their content to the next level, whilst simultaneously supporting the musicians it works with both financially and creatively.

The company was co-founded in 2009 and has offices in six major cities across the globe: Stockholm, New York, Los Angeles, Seoul, Hamburg and Amsterdam. Epidemic is backed by EQT, Blackstone Growth, Creandum, Atwater Capital and its Chairperson is Vania Schlogel, Managing Partner & Founder at Atwater Capital.

More info: www.epidemicsound.com

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The Carlyle Group partners with END.

Carlyle

London, UK – Global investment firm The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) today announces that it has agreed to acquire a majority stake in luxury, streetwear and sportswear retailer END. (www.endclothing.com). The stake is being acquired from founders Christiaan Ashworth and John Parker, who will retain a significant minority stake and remain Co-CEOs of the company. Index Ventures, who currently hold a minority stake, will fully exit. The transaction will close on 1 April 2021.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Newcastle, UK, END. is a global multi-brand, digital-led retailer, featuring luxury and contemporary fashion and the best in sneakers and streetwear. The company partners with more than 500 designers and brands, and has developed a highly engaged and loyal customer base through its exclusive collaborations and its unique omni-channel offering, including its online platform, mobile apps and physical stores. END. is widely recognised for its focus on a high-quality consumer experience and its curated product selection. The company employs more than 650 people in the UK and ships to over 100 countries worldwide. In the year to 31 March 2020, END. generated revenues of £170m, of which 65% related to sales outside of the UK.

Leveraging its significant experience in the Consumer sector, The Carlyle Group will support END.’s expansion, both within the domestic UK market as well as internationally. Equity for the investment will be provided by Carlyle Europe Partners (CEP) V, a €6.4bn fund investing in European opportunities across a range of sectors and industries, and an affiliate of Carlyle Asia Partners (CAP) V, a US$6.6bn fund focused on buyout and strategic investments across a range of sectors in the Asia Pacific region.

Christiaan Ashworth and John Parker, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Carlyle as our new partner. Their experience and strong track record in Luxury and Streetwear will be invaluable to us in supporting END.’s long-term and sustainable growth strategy. Carlyle’s industry knowledge and truly global platform will be instrumental as END. continues to reach an increasingly international audience. We’d also like to thank Index Ventures for being a fantastic partner and great to work with over the last 7 years.”

Massimiliano Caraffa, Managing Director leading Consumer & Retail for the Carlyle Europe Partners advisory team, said: “We are attracted to END.’s distinctive style, which mixes luxury and contemporary brands with the best in sneakers and sportswear. We are excited by the many growth opportunities that lie ahead for the company, including the launch of womenswear as well as further international expansion.”

Patrick Siewert, Managing Director for the Carlyle Asia Partners advisory team, said: “Christiaan and John have built a unique offering in the market and we look forward to supporting END. through leveraging our strategic industry knowledge and global network, while staying true to the company’s core values that have supported its success to date.”

The investment in END. builds on Carlyle’s long-term global focus on Consumer, a sector in which the firm has invested over $20 billion to date. A core component of Carlyle’s strategy has been to grow brands through international expansion. Recent exits in the Consumer space include Golden Goose and Supreme.

The Carlyle Group was advised by Morgan Stanley and RBC (M&A) and Latham & Watkins (Legal). The sellers were advised by Goldman Sachs (M&A) and Womble Bond Dickinson (Legal).

*****

Media Contacts:

END.
Press@endclothing.com

The Carlyle Group
Andrew Kenny
Andrew.kenny@carlyle.com
+44 7816 176120

About END. (www.endclothing.com)

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Newcastle, UK, END. is a global multi-brand, digital-led retailer, featuring luxury and contemporary fashion and the best in sneakers and streetwear. The company partners with more than 500 designers and brands, and has developed a highly engaged and loyal customer base through its exclusive collaborations and its unique omni-channel offering, including its online platform (www.endclothing.com), mobile apps and physical stores. END. is widely recognised for its focus on a high-quality consumer experience and its curated product selection. The company employs more than 650 people in the UK and ships to over 100 countries worldwide.

About The Carlyle Group

The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Investment Solutions. With $246 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2020, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. The Carlyle Group employs 1,825 people in 29 offices across five continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow The Carlyle Group on Twitter @OneCarlyle.

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Seaya Ventures leads a €3 million investment in Aquí tu Reforma

Seayaventures
Barcelona, March 17, 2021 – Aquí tu Reforma, Spain’s first technology-based home improvement franchise company, has completed a €3 million financing round led by venture capital fund Seaya Ventures and with the participation of existing investors such as Encomenda Capital, among others. Seaya’s investment portfolio includes 29 disruptive technology companies that have become leaders in their respective industries, including Cabify and Glovo, the first two unicorns in Spain.

The objective of the round is to consolidate Aquí tu Reforma’s leadership in Spain and to continue developing its own disruptive technology, launch new technology-based products and services and internationalise the company, reaching other countries in Europe and Latin America. The renovation sector in Spain is forecast to grow by 13% in 2021 and is expected to generate more than €60 billion. This industry will be essential for the economic reactivation and achieving the 2030 agenda to decarbonise the European economy.

Aquí tu Reforma is committed to the sector’s digitalisation and sustainability, with the implementation of a circular economy plan that optimises resources and systems, improving waste management and minimising the impact on the environment.

The company is led by its founders Francisco Morán, CEO, and Enric Aparici, managing director, and started its activity in 2019 with the mission to digitise the sector. Francisco Morán explains that “we have been very clear from the outset that we wanted value added partners and Seaya is the perfect ally”.

Antonio Giménez de Córdoba, Seaya Ventures partner, valued Aquí tu Reforma’s “commitment to the renovation sector’s digitalisation and its potential to improve the sustainability of homes and cities. At Seaya, we are very clear that we want to invest in companies that have a positive impact on society.”

Aquí tu Reforma has a network of 106 franchises in 46 Spanish cities and a team of more than 500 people in franchises and 30 people in the head office. The company plans to double its workforce by the end of the year. “We are reinforcing the technology and marketing teams and all areas related to customer service, both in terms of management with our franchises and for end customers,” says Morán. The company’s immediate projects include the launch of ATR Market, an exclusive procurement platform for franchises, and new technological tools, such as an app and augmented reality technology.

About Aquí tu Reforma

Aquí tu Reforma is the leading brand of home renovation franchises, whose main objective is to improve well-being in sustainable cities, with people at the centre and technology as the backbone. The network has 106 franchises, located in the main cities of Spain. The company offers renovation financing through its AQUÍ Credit platform. The company, which started its activity in 2019, was founded by Francisco Morán and Enric Aparici. More information at www.aquitureforma.com

About Seaya Ventures

Based in Madrid, Seaya Ventures has been backing the best entrepreneurs and teams in Europe and Latin America since 2013. Seaya focuses on helping founders scale their businesses and enable them to become global leaders. More information at www.seayaventures.com

 

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Charterhouse Capital Partners enters into exclusive negotiations for the sale of Cooper to CVC Capital Partners Fund VII and reinvestment in its next stage of growth

CVC Capital Partners

Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP (“Charterhouse”), one of the longest established private equity firms operating in Europe, announces today that it has entered into exclusive negotiations for the sale of a majority stake in Cooper Consumer Health (“Cooper” or “the Company”), a leading European independent over-the-counter (“OTC”) drug manufacturer and distributor, to CVC Fund VII. The transaction is subject to workers’ council information and consultation and to the approval of relevant regulatory authorities.

Cooper, which is headquartered in Paris, was acquired by Charterhouse in 2016 and since that time has been transformed from a local French champion into a pan-European pure-play OTC platform that manufactures and distributes a diversified portfolio of branded and basic products on an international basis. Under Charterhouse’s ownership, the company has more than doubled in size through a combination of organic growth initiatives and targeted M&A activity to consolidate the sector and revenues are now close to €500M. This included the strategic acquisition and integration of international consumer health company Vemedia, a large OTC branded product portfolio from Sanofi, alongside nine other successfully integrated add-ons to add further complementary brands.

Cooper’s large, international platform has a direct presence in seven European markets and over 30 export markets. It has a wide-ranging and complementary portfolio of branded products, including OTC medicines, dietary supplements and medical devices, positioning Cooper as a “one stop shop” for its customers, which include pharmacies, wholesalers and drugstores. The Company is well-placed for further international expansion and organic growth.

As part of the transaction, Charterhouse would make a significant reinvestment in Cooper and continue to support the growth and international expansion of the business alongside CVC, which has partnered with Vemedia founder Yvan Vindevogel and specialised healthcare fund Avista Capital Partners, and the management team.

Vincent Pautet, Partner at Charterhouse, said: “This is another milestone investment for Charterhouse, which once again demonstrates its expertise in transforming strong local businesses into truly European leaders. It has been a pleasure working with Cooper’s world-class management team to create the leading independent OTC platform in Europe. The Company has built an excellent position in a growing, highly attractive market and we look forward to continuing to support its expansion.”

Michael Lavrysen and Victor Blanchard, Senior Managing Directors at CVC Capital Partners, added: “Having admired and closely followed Cooper’s progress for many years, we are delighted to now have the opportunity to team up with its strong management team, as well as our new partners Charterhouse, Avista Capital Partners and Yvan Vindevogel. Their knowledge of the Company and experience the sector will be invaluable in realising our shared vision for the development and long-term growth of the business.”

Yvan Vindevogel, CEO of Damier, added: “I’ve been working together with CVC in the Consumer Healthcare space, as well as with Charterhouse and Avista Capital Partners, for quite a while now. This new enlarged team will be able to create a true Consumer Health powerhouse and accelerate the already impressive growth of the Company.”

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Epidemic Sound brings in EQT Growth and Blackstone Growth to support its next phase of development

eqt
  • EQT Growth and funds managed by Blackstone Growth invest USD 450 million in Epidemic Sound, the market leading platform for restriction-free music, in a transaction valuing the company at USD 1.4 billion
  • EQT Growth will, together with Epidemic Sound’s other shareholders, support international expansion in both existing and new markets, and accelerate customer acquisition as well as investments in the core user experience
  • EQT Mid Market Europe, which invested in Epidemic Sound in 2017, remains committed to long-term growth and continues to back the Company alongside the other investors

Epidemic Sound (“the Company”), the market leading platform for restriction-free music, announces an expanded partnership to support its next phase of development. The aggregated new investment from EQT Growth, made through EQT AB’s balance sheet, and funds managed by Blackstone Growth (“BXG”), totals USD 450 million and values Epidemic Sound at approximately USD 1.4 billion.

EQT Mid Market Europe acquired 40 percent in Epidemic Sound in 2017 and is now partially exiting its stake but will remain invested as a testimony to its belief for continued value creation and strong growth. With the new commitment from its Growth strategy, EQT continues to be the largest shareholder in Epidemic Sound.

Online content production is growing exponentially around the globe and is largely driven by the surge in user-generated content on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. By 2022, online videos are expected to make up more than 82 percent of all consumer internet traffic, which is more than 15 times higher than in 20171 ­– and these videos will require music. One of the biggest challenges for content creators today is to secure global and platform agnostic music rights, as traditional licensing processes can be complex and require separate agreements in each country of use.

Founded in Stockholm, Sweden, Epidemic Sound serves the global “online creator economy” through its subscription service that gives access to a unique library of 32,000 high-quality tracks. The Company collaborates with music creators to produce music that soundtracks everything from online videos to TV and film productions. Since its establishment in 2009, Epidemic Sound has become a pioneer within restriction-free music as it provides full-spectrum rights on all platforms, in any country, for unlimited time, and with no reporting needs. Today, Epidemic Sound’s music is soundtracking the internet, featuring in 1.5 billion daily YouTube views and more than 10 million daily streams across music streaming platforms.

The expanded partnership with EQT Growth and BXG will continue to build on Epidemic Sound’s current growth trajectory and will support international expansion in both existing and new markets. Additionally, both parties will support the Company with accelerated customer acquisition and investments in the core user experience.

Victor Englesson, Partner and Investment Advisor at EQT Partners, commented, “Epidemic Sound taps into numerous thematic macro trends, such as the democratization of how user-generated content is produced and consumed digitally, largely driven by the increased prevalence of video communication in our society and the growing online creator economy. Epidemic Sound will continue to cement its market leading position with a unique value proposition to storytellers and EQT is proud to have supported CEO Oscar Höglund and his team over the past three years. As the company now enters its next phase of growth, EQT is happy to renew its commitment to Epidemic Sound and join forces with BXG to continue empowering storytellers and content creators around the world with high-quality, restriction-free music.”

Oscar Höglund, Co-founder and CEO of Epidemic Sound, commented, “We’re in the privileged position where our music is the soundtrack to our generation’s greatest achievement. We know what the internet sounds like and through data, we can see the trends emerging among content creators as they use our tracks to bring their stories to life. We’re thrilled to partner with EQT Growth and BXG to continue scaling how we use this data to grow our global network of creators and empower them all to thrive through new products, new music and new insights.”

The transaction closed on 10 March 2021.

1Source: Cisco

SEB Corporate Finance (financial) and Goldman Sachs (financial) and White & Case (legal) acted as sell-side advisors. EQT Growth was advised by PwC (financial & tax) and DLA Piper (legal).

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with close to three decades of consistent investment performance across multiple geographies, sectors, and strategies. EQT has raised more than EUR 84 billion since inception and has as of 31 December 2020 more than EUR 52 billion in assets under management across 17 active funds within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets.

With its roots in the Wallenberg family’s entrepreneurial mindset and philosophy of long-term ownership, EQT is guided by a set of strong values and a distinct corporate culture. EQT manages and advises funds and vehicles that invest across the world with the mission to future-proof companies, generate attractive returns and make a positive impact with everything EQT does.

The EQT AB Group comprises EQT AB (publ) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, which include general partners and fund managers of EQT funds as well as entities advising EQT funds. EQT has offices in 17 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America with more than 700 employees.

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

About Epidemic Sound
Epidemic Sound, the market leading platform for restriction-free music, is headquartered in Stockholm, heard around the globe and on a mission to soundtrack the world. 

The company has democratized access to music for storytellers. Its innovative digital rights model paves the way for creators – everyone from YouTubers to small businesses to the world’s largest brands – to use ‘restriction-free music’ to take their content to the next level, whilst simultaneously supporting the musicians it works with both financially and creatively. 

The company was co-founded in 2009 and has offices in six major cities across the globe: Stockholm, New York, Los Angeles, Seoul, Hamburg and Amsterdam. Epidemic is backed by Creandum, EQT Mid Market and Atwater Capital and its Chairperson is Vania Schlogel, Managing Partner & Founder at Atwater Capital.

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Ardian acquires a stake in Kapten & Son, a leading german brand for accessories and lifestyle products

Ardian

10 March 2021 Growth Germany

Paris/Cologne/Frankfurt, March 10, 2021 – Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today announces a minority investment in Kapten & Son, a German brand specializing in the online retail sale of lifestyle and fashion accessories. This minority stake acquisition through one of its Ardian Growth funds marks the first investment in Germany by Ardian Growth and it will enable the team to support Kapten & Son’s founders in their European ambitions.

Founded in 2014, by Johannes Theobald, Artjem Weissbeck, and Fabian Deventer, Kapten & Son has established itself as a leading name in the German fashion and lifestyle accessories market and begun its expansion in Europe. Over the past two years, Kapten & Son has increased its turnover to over 50 million Euro, fueled by the quality of its products, its Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) strategy and its extensive expertise across marketing and data analysis.

Ardian Growth will support the founders as a strategic partner to build and grow the business. The team at Ardian Growth boasts a strong track record in this space, substantiated by experience gathered across the e-commerce market. In addition, Ardian will support the internationalization by leveraging its global network and its expertise in targeted build-up strategy.

Johannes Theobald, co-founder, stated: “We are proud to have been able to create a leading brand in Germany thanks to the quality of our products and the knowledge we have of our customers’ expectations. We now want to accelerate and expand in Europe.”
Fabian Deventer, co-founder, added: “Products are one of the strengths of Kapten & Son. Our marketing expertise, combined with our knowledge of customers’ expectations thanks to our data analysis tools, are elements that clearly differentiate our model.”

Artjem Weissbeck, co-founder, commented: “We were not just looking for a financing but for a true strategic partner who could understand our growth challenges and the specificities of online sales and help us make potential acquisitions. Ardian convinced us on these three aspects and their pan-European reach.”
Laurent Foata, Managing Director and Head of Ardian Growth commented: “Currently, we invest in France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and in Benelux and we have demonstrated track record of our ability to help companies meet their aims and objectives. For us, Germany represents a target market in which we aim to continue investing. We are pleased to take this first step with a company as dynamic as Kapten & Son.”
Romain Chiudini, Director at Ardian Growth, continues: “We recognized in Kapten & Son, and moreover in management team, all the qualities we search in fast growing companies in Digital market. Their value of entrepreneurship, innovation and ambition are similar to ours. Kapten & Son is now sized to build its position as a leading player in the new e-commerce generation, which is considered to be a particularly buoyant sector.”

ABOUT KAPTEN & SON

Kapten & Son was founded in 2014 and is today one of the fastest growing fashion and accessories companies in Europe. Thanks to high-quality products, a strong DTC approach and bundled marketing expertise, Kapten & Son has developed into an expanding company at a rapid pace.
Today, the product portfolio includes accessories, suitcases, backpacks, eyewear and watches, which are sold in over 30 countries via the Kapten & Son online store, as well as six Kapten & Son retail flagship stores and exclusive boutique partners. More than 150 employees work at the headquarters in Cologne and in the retail stores on the further expansion of the company.

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ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house with assets of US$110bn managed or advised in Europe, the Americas and Asia. The company is majority-owned by its employees. It keeps entrepreneurship at its heart and focuses on delivering excellent investment performance to its global investor base.
Through its commitment to shared outcomes for all stakeholders, Ardian’s activities fuel individual, corporate and economic growth around the world.
Holding close its core values of excellence, loyalty and entrepreneurship, Ardian maintains a truly global network, with more than 700 employees working from fifteen offices across Europe (Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Zurich), the Americas (New York, San Francisco and Santiago) and Asia (Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul). It manages funds on behalf of more than 1,000 clients through five pillars of investment expertise: Fund of Funds, Direct Funds, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Private Debt.
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LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

  • Ardian Growth

    • Laurent Foata, Romain Chiudini, Olivier Roy

  • Kapten & Son

    • M&A advisors Kapten & Son: GCA Altium (Tobias Schultheiss, Martin Rezaie, Pascal Haas, Neil Schmodde)
    • Legal advisors Kapten & Son: Gütt Olk Feldhaus (Sebastian Olk, Isabelle Vrancken, Dominik Forstner)
    • Legal advisor Ardian: McDermott Will & Emery (Diana Hund, Emmanuelle Turek, Germar Enders, Matthias Weingut, Antoine Vergnat, Côme de Saint Vincent, Nina Siewert)
    • Financial advisor Ardian: Deloitte (Egon Sachsalber, Tanya Fehr, Axel Kroniger, Elisabeth Comes)
    • Strategic advisor Ardian: Singulier (Rémi Pesseguier, Kitson Symes, Sam Yu-Hsun Lin, Dan Strauss, Michael Ymélé, Ghita Fizazi, Alexandre Moog and Pavlo Konotop)

Press CONTACTS

Kapten & Son

JULIKA WILLMS

press@kapten-son.com +49 151 744 716 83 / +49 221 588 335 71

Ardian – Headland

GREGOR RIEMANN

griemann@headlandconsultancy.co.uk +44 (0)7920 802627

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