Tag Archives: Data

Bisnode strengthens its offering within bank account information

Ratos

Bisnode has started a strategic partnership with Tink, Europe’s leading open banking platform. The partnership will enable Bisnode to provide bank account data based on Tink’s account aggregation and data enrichment technologies in 7 of its markets across Europe.

“This is an important strategic move for Bisnode to build strength in our future risk and credit offerings,” says CEO Magnus Silfverberg.

The partnership with Tink will strengthen Bisnode’s leadership in the risk and credit space and give customers access to key datasets for risk decisions. In combination with Bisnode’s strong offering in credit reports and credit scores, bank account data will be an important basis for making credit decisions in the near future.

“This will be a game changer for lenders in the future and thus for Bisnode as a key provider of risk and credit data,” says CEO Magnus Silfverberg.

For more information: https://www.bisnode.com/about-bisnode/about-us/news/tink-partnership/

For further information, please contact:
Helene Gustafsson, Head of IR & Press, Ratos, +46 8 700 17 98, helene.gustafsson@ratos.se
Tomas Hedenius: +46 70 247 29 02, tomas.hedenius@bisnode.com
David Nilsson Nannini: +46 722 50 41 79, david.nannini@bisnode.com
About Ratos:
Ratos is a corporate group consisting of 12 companies divided into three business areas: Consumer & Technology, Construction & Services and Industry. In total, the companies have SEK 38 billion in sales and EBITA of SEK 1.8 billion. Our business concept is to develop medium-sized companies with headquarters in the Nordic region that are or have the potential to become market-leading. We make it possible for independent medium-sized companies to excel by being part of something larger. A focus on people and leadership, culture and values are key components of Ratos. Everything we do is based on our core values: Simplicity, Speed in Execution and It’s All About People.

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Spectrum to be acquired by TGS in an all share transaction

Altor

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA (“TGS”) has agreed on the principle terms for an acquisition of Spectrum ASA (“Spectrum”), creating the world’s leading provider of multiclient seismic data.

The transaction is expected to be completed as a share-for-share merger with the consideration to Spectrum shareholders in the form of 0.28x ordinary shares of TGS for each Spectrum share, in addition to a cash consideration of USD 0.27 multiplied by the exchange ratio subject to the transaction closing after the ex-date for the TGS dividend payable in Q3 2019. The exchange ratio and the cash consideration imply a price per share for Spectrum of NOK 61.9 based on closing of the TGS share on 2 May 2019, corresponding to a market capitalization of NOK 3,671 million (USD 422 million) on a fully diluted basis. Following completion of the transaction, Altor Fund IV will hold approximately 3.7% of the fully-diluted shares outstanding in TGS.

The transaction will create a leading provider of multiclient 2D and 3D seismic data
covering all major mature and frontier basins world-wide. Spectrum has successfully built a substantial presence in the South Atlantic and other important frontier oil & gas regions. With TGS’ extensive library and financial robustness, the combined entity will be well positioned to accelerate 3D seismic investment plans in an improving market. Furthermore, the combined libraries will have a scale that will help accelerating TGS’ data analytics strategy. In addition to providing a platform for further profitable growth, the combination will benefit from significant cost synergies with a preliminary estimate of approximately USD 20 million annually.

“The strategic combination of TGS and Spectrum will form a stronger and better company with a world class data library, people and opportunities. We look forward to joining forces with TGS. There are strong strategic benefits from combining the companies, and we believe we can enhance our growth as part of a larger combined company,” stated Rune Eng, President & Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum.

“Over the past years, Spectrum has been through a growth phase with particular focus on establishing profitable positions in non-mature exploration basins, especially along the Atlantic margin. TGS´ interest in Spectrum is a manifestation of the solid position built by the Spectrum organization over a long time. Being ready for the next phase of the strategic growth plan, TGS is an excellent match, with its asset-light multi-client strategy and strong balance sheet. Altor Fund IV are proud to be part of creating a leading multi- client company, with a strong presence in all the major basins and superior cash generation capabilities”, stated Pål Stampe, Chairman of the board of Spectrum and partner at Altor Equity Partners, the investment advisor to Altor Fund IV.”

“Spectrum has successfully built a strong position in key offshore basins, particularly in the South Atlantic. The transaction thus fits well with one of TGS’s key strategic goals of growing exposure to this region. Moreover, Spectrum’s library, and in particular the vast 2D coverage, further adds to TGS’s strategy within data analytics, where access to large amounts of data is a key success factor. TGS remains committed to maintain the existing dividend policy and emphasizes that the strong cash position, the combination of two free cash flow positive entities, and significant cost synergies, will enable continued industry leading shareholder returns”, stated Kristian Johansen, Chief Executive Officer of TGS.

Definitive merger documents are expected to be entered into during May, with closing of the transaction expected during the third quarter of 2019 following shareholder approvals in EGM and regulatory clearance.

For more information, please contact:
Dean Zuzic, CFO at Spectrum, Tel: +47 41 43 35 60
Tor Krusell, Head of Communications at Altor, Tel: +46 70 543 87 47

About Altor
Since inception, the family of Altor funds has raised some EUR 8.3 billion in total commitments. The funds have invested in excess of EUR 4.2 billion in more than 60 companies. The investments have been made in medium sized, predominantely Nordic companies, with the aim to create value through growth initiatives and operational improvements. Among current and past investments are AGR Group, Helly Hansen, Lindorff, SATS, Rossignol Group, Carnegie Investment Bank, S-Banken, Nordic Trustee and Navico. For more information visit www.altor.com.

About Spectrum
Spectrum provides innovative Multi-Client seismic surveys and high- quality seismic imaging services to the global oil and gas industry from offices in the Norway, UK, USA, Brazil, Egypt, Australia, Indonesia and Singapore. Spectrum designs, acquires and processes seismic data to deliver high quality solutions through its dedicated and experienced workforce. Spectrum holds the world’s largest library of Multi-Client 2D marine seismic data and a significant amount of 3D seismic. The company’s strategy focuses on both the major, established hydrocarbon-producing regions of the world as well as key frontier areas identified by our experienced team of geoscientists. The Spectrum library of Multi-Client data contains projects from many of the foremost oil producing regions of the world. These include new acquisition, reprocessing and interpretation reports. For more information visit Spectrum online at www.spectrumgeo.com

About TGS
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) provides multi-client geoscience data to oil and gas Exploration and Production companies worldwide. In addition to extensive global geophysical and geological data libraries that include multi- client seismic data, magnetic and gravity data, digital well logs, production data and directional surveys, TGS also offers advanced processing and imaging services, interpretation products, and data integration solutions. For more information visit TGS online at www.tgs.com

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Blackstone-Led Consortium Completes Partnership Transaction with Thomson Reuters for Financial & Risk Business

Blackstone

New York, October 1, 2018 – A consortium led by Blackstone (NYSE: BX) today announced that private equity funds managed by Blackstone (“Blackstone”) – together with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPPIB”) and GIC – have completed the previously announced partnership transaction with Thomson Reuters (TSX / NYSE: TRI) for Thomson Reuters’ Financial & Risk (F&R) business. The Blackstone-led consortium now owns 55 percent of the equity in a new corporation created to hold the F&R business, and Thomson Reuters retains a 45 percent equity stake, at an overall valuation of US$20 billion. The Financial & Risk business is now known as Refinitiv.

Refinitiv is one of the world’s largest providers of financial markets data and infrastructure, providing leading data and insights, trading platforms, and open data and technology platforms that connect communities of trading, investment, financial and corporate professionals. It also provides leading regulatory and risk management solutions to help customers anticipate and manage risk and compliance.

Martin Brand, a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone, said: “We are pleased to close this landmark partnership transaction with Thomson Reuters. Blackstone is excited to invest in Refinitiv to pursue a business plan focused on accelerating growth through innovation, in partnership with Refinitiv’s customers.”

Eli Nagler, a Managing Director at Blackstone, added: “We are excited to complete this transaction and look forward to supporting Refinitiv’s growth and continued technology advancements in the years ahead.”

Through this investment and carve out of F&R by the Blackstone-led consortium, the new Refinitiv business expects to invest in a number of key areas to serve its customer base, which currently includes 40,000 institutions in over 190 countries. This includes further investing in content coverage, AI and analytics across its open data platforms Elektron and Eikon for buy-side, trading, wealth and banking customers. It also plans to invest in enhanced capabilities for its leading platforms for trading, as well as in indices, risk management, and fighting financial crime.

“This is a unique moment in our 160-year history as the Financial & Risk business of Thomson Reuters now steps forward as Refinitiv,” said David Craig, CEO of Refinitiv. “We firmly believe that efficient, transparent and trusted markets are good for all and that Refinitiv’s role is at the heart of this, providing access to clean and consistent data on a global scale. With the backing of our investors, Refinitiv will continue to deliver the critical data, insights and open technology infrastructure that the market has come to expect while driving progress for our customers across trading, risk, banking, wealth and investment management and in areas such as financial crime and ESG investment. We look forward to exciting times ahead.”

Canson Capital Partners, BofA Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, and J.P. Morgan are acting as financial advisors to the Blackstone-led consortium, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as legal counsel to the Blackstone-led consortium.

About Blackstone
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with approximately $440 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

About CPPIB
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) is a professional investment management organization that invests the funds not needed by the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) to pay current benefits on behalf of 20 million contributors and beneficiaries. In order to build a diversified portfolio of CPP assets, CPPIB invests in public equities, private equities, real estate, infrastructure and fixed income instruments. Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, New York City, São Paulo and Sydney, CPPIB is governed and managed independently of the Canada Pension Plan and at arm’s length from governments. At June 30, 2018, the CPP Fund totalled C$366.6 billion. For more information about CPPIB, please visit www.cppib.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

About GIC
GIC is a leading global investment firm established in 1981 to manage Singapore’s foreign reserves. A disciplined long-term value investor, GIC is uniquely positioned for investments across a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and infrastructure. In private equity, GIC invests through funds as well as directly in companies, partnering with its fund managers and management teams to help world class businesses achieve their objectives. GIC has investments in over 40 countries and has been investing in emerging markets for more than two decades. Headquartered in Singapore, GIC employs over 1,500 people across 10 offices in key financial cities worldwide. For more information on GIC, please visit www.gic.com.sg.

About Refinitiv
Refinitiv is one of the world’s largest providers of financial markets data and infrastructure, serving over 40,000 institutions in over 190 countries. It provides leading data and insights, trading platforms, and open data and technology platforms that connect a thriving global financial markets community – driving performance in trading, investment, wealth management, regulatory compliance, market data management, enterprise risk and fighting financial crime. www.refinitiv.com

Blackstone Media Contact
Matt Anderson
Senior Vice President, Global Public Affairs
T: 212 390 2472
matthew.anderson@blackstone.com

CPPIB Media Contact
Darryl Konynenbelt
Director, Global Media Relations
416-972-8389
dkonynenbelt@cppib.com

GIC Media Contacts
Ms Mah Lay Choon
Senior Vice President, Communications
Tel: +65 6889 6841
E-mail: mahlaychoon@gic.com.sg

Ms Wendy Wong
Senior Vice President, Communications
Tel: +65 6889 6928
E-mail: wendywong@gic.com.sg

Refinitiv Media Contacts
Kate Reid
Head of Communications
T: +44 20 7542 2215
kate.reid@refinitiv.com

Lem Brewster
Director, Communications
T: +1 646-223-5147
lemuel.brewster@refinitiv.com

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Nordic Capital acquires Macrobond – one of the leading providers of macroeconomic analytical solutions

Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital will support Macrobond in its vision to become the global platform of choice for people working in financial and economic research.Nordic Capital acquires Macrobond - one of the leading providers of macroeconomic analytical solutions Image

Nordic Capital Fund IX announces its acquisition of Macrobond, one of the world’s leading providers of research systems and macroeconomic and financial time series data from primary and third-party sources. Nordic Capital will support Macrobond on its growth journey and will invest to further strengthen the company’s market position. The company’s management team and also founders are reinvesting alongside Nordic Capital. This acquisition is the fifth investment by Nordic Capital’s latest fund, Fund IX, and builds on Nordic Capital’s recognised expertise and outstanding track record in the fintech sector.

Macrobond was founded in 2008 in Malmö, Sweden, with the intention of developing a better way for people to perform economic and financial research. Today, customers include central banks, investment banks, hedge funds, corporates, asset managers and universities. The company is well-positioned in an attractive segment of the global information services market, which is experiencing growth driven by strong industry trends such as productivity, user friendliness and integrated solutions. Macrobond has 156 employees, of which 90 are employed in data acquisition and development teams and offices in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

The company has developed a global and scalable SaaS application that offers an extensive database of macroeconomic and financial time series data coupled with powerful and dynamic analysis and charting tools. The application enables users to access and navigate time-series data and to mine data faster, automate repetitive tasks and simplify the workflow.

“Nordic Capital is one of the most prominent and experienced investors in the fintech sector in the Nordic region and therefore the ideal partner to continue supporting Macrobond’s growth strategy. With our unique database, tailored access and applications, they will support us as we continue to realise our vision to become the platform of choice for people working in financial and economic research worldwide,” says Tomas Liljeborg, CEO, Macrobond.

“The demand of financial big data analysis and visualisation is increasing continuously and Macrobond’s management team has an outstanding proven track record in financial software analytics. We look forward to working with them to expand Macrobond’s offering and its leadership as the platform of choice. With our long-term experience of accelerating growth in companies, we are confident that Nordic Capital is a great partner to support Macrobond on its growth journey,” says Fredrik Näslund, Partner at the Advisor to the Nordic Capital Funds.

The parties have agreed to not disclose the financial details of the transaction.

Nordic Capital was advised by a group of leading international advisory firms including Arma Partners and KPMG.

 

Media contacts:

 

Nordic Capital

Elin Ljung, Director of Communication and Sustainability
Advisor to the Nordic Capital Funds
Tel: +46 8 440 50 50
e-mail: elin.ljung@nordiccapital.com

Macrobond

Tomas Liljeborg, CEO
Tel: + 46 40 693 1709
e-mail: tomas.liljeborg@macrobond.com

 

About Macrobond:

Macrobond Financial is a young and rapidly expanding, international company with offices in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Its flagship product, the Macrobond application, is a single platform that combines an extensive macroeconomic and financial database with easy-to-use tools for analysis and smart data visualisation.

The application gives users access to a continuously maintained and updated global database. Data is procured from primary sources such as central banks, statistical agencies, and regulatory agencies as well as international sources such as OECD and IMF. This integrated research solution allows users to go from selecting data to immediately applying a broad range of analyses in a way that is both easy to work with and facilitates customization and full control. With the built-in charting, presentation and online-publishing tools users can deliver professional -looking charts and reports with minimal input and time, and minimize the tasks associated with maintaining and updating publications. Macrobond’s clients are professionals from both small and large private companies, organisations, and governmental institutions around the world. For further information about Macrobond please visit www.macrobond.com

 

About Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital is a leading private equity investor in the Nordic region 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 proven track record. Core sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, Industrial Goods & Services and Consumer & Retail, and key regions are the Nordics, Northern Europe, and globally for Healthcare. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested EUR 12 billion in over 100 investments. The most recent fund is Nordic Capital Fund IX with EUR 4.3 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors such as pension funds. The Nordic Capital Funds are based in Jersey and are advised by advisory entities, which are based in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany and the UK. For further information about Nordic Capital, please visit www.nordiccapital.com

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Investments in companies – 17.8.2017

BCB Medical, the Nordic market leader in gathering and analysing clinical data, has raised new capital from a group of high quality institutional investors led by Standout Capital and Tesi. The investors will support BCB Medical’s continued growth in the Finnish market and the launch of BCB’s quality register software and clinical data products internationally.

“Thanks to Standout Capital and Tesi’s investment, we will have more resources to serve the Finnish healthcare market and invest in new services and markets related to analysing and comparing clinical data. Our aim is to spread best practices in outcome-based healthcare, which will improve the quality of treatments and achieve a better quality of life for patients,” says BCB Medical’s Managing Director, Petteri Viljanen.

According to Viljanen, technology in healthcare is advancing at a fast pace across all specialist fields. That is why the continuous development of software requires resources and new expertise. BCB’s quality registers include among others diseases cancers, musculoskeletal diseases and heart diseases.

“With this investment, we will double our personnel from 50 to 100 employees in Finland over the next three years. At the same time, we will expand the coverage of our quality registries from the current 60 disease groups to 100, which can be considered an achievement even on an international scale,” Viljanen points out.

In November 2016, the procurement unit formed by Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) and KL-Kuntahankinnat chose BCB Medical as the technical supplier of the quality registries with a goal to harmonise treatment quality on a national level.

“As of today, more than 9 000 healthcare professionals in 200 clinics are using our software on a daily basis. The objective is to put in place comparable monitoring in all of Finland’s hospital districts,” says Viljanen.

Finnish model is well advanced

Viljanen stresses that the digital model created in Finland for comparing treatment quality is well advanced on an international level. The company has over the years collected a structured clinical database of 1 million treatments with up to 3 000 data points in each treatment – a highly valuable resource for healthcare professionals as well as medical and drug researchers at universities and pharma companies.

“We have received a lot of enquiries from other countries concerning the quality registries and the clinical data. We are actively looking for the right commercial partners, especially from the Nordic countries, to launch our services internationally. We could follow the footsteps of the Finnish gaming industry in becoming a global phenomenon in our field, the digitalisation of medical information. Our goal is that, in three years’ time, more than 30 per cent of the company’s turnover should be international,” Viljanen says.

Investors prove strong backers for growth and internationalisation

“We are very pleased to have these experienced investors join our team. Standout Capital brings world-class expertise in the growth and internationalisation of technology companies and Tesi, as a significant Finnish anchor owner, its huge networks in both Finland and abroad,” says Viljanen.

“We are impressed with BCB Medical’s success in working closely with the leading Finnish healthcare providers like HUS in developing software that ultimately benefits patients. BCB Medical is a great example of our strategy to partner with outstanding technology companies that are transforming their industries through digitalisation,” says BCB’s new Chairman and Standout Capital’s Partner, Erik Wästlund.

“We want to contribute to strengthening Finland’s key position as a world-leading country in utilising medical information. BCB Medical has long been developing its know-how and products in Finland, and is now ready to take the next step towards the global healthcare ICT market,” says Director Heli Alhroos from Tesi.

Following the investment, Standout Capital became the largest shareholder of BCB Medical and together with Tesi, the majority shareholders. Stockholm based Backstage Invest is also participating in the financing round. Old shareholders will continue as minority shareholders of the company.

For further information:
Petteri Viljanen, Managing Director, BCB Medical, tel. +358 400 727 366, petteri.viljanen@bcbmedical.com
Erik Wästlund, Partner, Standout Capital, tel+ 46 70 755 79 69, erik.wastlund@standoutcapital.com
Heli Ahlroos, Director, Finnish Industry Investment Ltd, tel. +358 40 077 2833, heli.ahlroos@tesi.fi

 

BCB Medical is the Nordic market leader in gathering and analysing clinical data. Our mission is to combine, analyse and illustrate clinical data gathered from various sources and present it in an understandable format so that current and future generations can live healthier lives. Our vision is to revolutionise the way clinical data impacts people’s lives. Our turnover amounts to around EUR 4 million, and we employ 53 people. The company’s head office is located in Turku, Finland, and we also have offices in Espoo, Oulu and Tampere. www.bcbmedical.com

Standout Capital is a Stockholm based private equity firm investing in growing tech companies. We have a personal approach and entrepreneurial know-how. The founders and investment team build on personal experience in entrepreneurship, investments and finance. As an active owner, we are personally highly engaged in our firm and the companies we partner with. Our mission is to support outstanding companies to grow and succeed. Standout Capital invests in Nordic growth companies and the digital transformation in business and society. www.standoutcapital.com

Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) is a venture capital and private equity company that accelerates companies’ success stories by investing in them directly and via funds. Tesi always invests together with other investors, providing them with access to high quality deal flow in Finland. Our investments under management total 1 billion euros and we have altogether 723 companies in portfolio. www.tesi.fi

 

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EQT Mid Market US acquires Data Intensity

eqt

  • EQT Mid Market US acquires Data Intensity, a leading independent provider of mission-critical application and database managed services
  • EQT Mid Market US to support the continued growth trajectory of Data Intensity by leveraging EQT’s global network and relationships, experience in scaling international businesses as well as deep knowledge of the Software and IT Services industries

The EQT Mid Market US fund (“EQT Mid Market US”) today announced that it has acquired Data Intensity (“Data Intensity” or the “Company”) from Audax Private Equity. Data Intensity is a leading independent provider of mission-critical application and database managed services.

Founded in 2001, Data Intensity helps its customers increase the value of their enterprise software and improve the efficiency of critical business processes. The Company cost-effectively supports the full scope of a customer’s enterprise data, making their most critical applications and data manageable and actionable. The Company manages more than 3,000 application instances and 10,000 databases across multiple IT environments including on-premise, private cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud. Data Intensity is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts with over 650 employees and operations in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Australia, and India.

Brendan Scollans, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Mid Market US, said: “We have been impressed by Data Intensity’s industry leading technical and functional capabilities, talented management team, and track record of delighting its customers. CEO Kirk Arnold and her team have built a world-class platform that is well positioned for increased momentum in the U.S. and internationally. EQT’s expertise in the technology and services sectors, along with its global network, will accelerate the company’s growth and expansion strategy.”

Kirk Arnold, CEO of Data Intensity, said: “As enterprises in data-intensive industries continue the shift to the hybrid cloud, we enjoy an emerging growth opportunity at the intersection of our expertise in application managed services, public and private cloud delivery platforms, and flexible business models. EQT’s investment will help us expand our portfolio of services, enter new markets and incorporate new service-oriented tools and technologies to capitalize on this trend while, above all else, continuing to focus on delivering world-class service to our customers.”

Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to EQT. Jefferies LLC and DH Capital LLC served as financial advisors to Data Intensity. Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal advisor to Data Intensity and Audax Private Equity. Golub Capital provided financing for the transaction.

Contacts:
EQT Press Office, +46 8 506 55 334
Brendan Scollans, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT, +1 (917) 281 0849
KEKST: + 1 (212) 521 4800 (US media) Daniel Yunger or Ross Lovern,
daniel.yunger@kekst.com / ross.lovern@kekst.com

About EQT
EQT is a leading alternative investments firm with approximately EUR 37 billion in raised capital across 24 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in the US, Europe, and Asia with total sales of more than EUR 19 billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence, and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtpartners.com

About Data Intensity
Data Intensity is a leading independent managed services provider for enterprise databases, applications, business intelligence solutions and analytics. Our expertise in applications, infrastructure and cloud platforms helps organizations optimize their software investments and business processes, achieving higher availability, performance, velocity and scalability. Our solutions combine best-in-category technology, world-class services, a flexible business model and deep expertise gained from partnering with our customers. Our goal is to cost-effectively support the full scope of a customer’s enterprise data lifecycle, making their most critical applications and data manageable and actionable.

More info: www.dataintensity.com

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IK Investment Partners to support Third Bridge

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 with the founders and the management team to acquire a minority stake in Third Bridge (or “the Company”), a fast-growing primary research provider with a global footprint. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Third Bridge provides its clients with unique insights into companies and markets through access to industry experts and market research. Serving a client base of over 300 customers, including private equity funds, consulting firms, hedge funds and corporates, Third Bridge has a global footprint, with six offices covering America, Asia and Europe. Since inception in 2007, the Company has doubled its turnover every two years, and now employs more than 550 people.

The Company’s strong growth has been supported by growth capital investor Beringea, which provided funding through its ProVen VCTs in November 2012. Under the agreement, Beringea will sell its shares in Third Bridge.

“As a client of Third Bridge, our paths have crossed many times, and we have always been very impressed by the Company and the exceptionally experienced management team. We share their values and vision for growth, and as a minority partner, we are proud to support the continued development of Third Bridge’s business model and expansion of the service offering,” said Pierre Gallix, Partner at IK Investment Partners and advisor to the IK Small Cap I Fund.

“Third Bridge has seen fantastic growth over the last 10 years, and the support from IK will enable us to maintain this strong performance, and bring us closer to our vision of being the first port of call for investors seeking the best intelligence. We are excited about working with the IK team, who share our ambitions and have a stellar reputation for supporting founder-led businesses,” said, Emmanuel Tahar, CEO and co-founder of Third Bridge.

Completion of the transaction is subject to legal and regulatory approvals.

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KPN Ventures joins €8M investment round in Belgian data company Sentiance

KPN Ventures

Antwerp, New York, June 22, 2017

Sentiance announces today that it has secured €8 million in funding led by Volta Ventures, with co-investor KPN Ventures. All previous investors including Samsung Catalyst Fund, Qbic, Pamica (investment company of Michel Akkermans) and top management participated in the new funding round. The investment will be used to execute on Sentiance’s vision to gain leadership, strengthen its intelligence platform and accelerate the growth globally.

The company’s platform uses machine learning algorithms and deep learning techniques to analyse IOT sensor data from mobile phones, wearables and IoT gateways. Sentiance turns this data into rich behavioural and contextual insights: understanding and predicting how people go through their everyday lives. Clients use the Sentiance platform to enrich their first-party customer data with real-life behavioural data so they can deliver context-aware and highly personalized experiences. Sentiance powers a broad range of applications including world class telematics and driver scoring, personalized health coaching, real-time customer engagement as well as smart home products and services.

“As IOT gains momentum consumers are rapidly adopting smart objects in their everyday lives. The sensors in these IOT devices generate a ton of data about how they behave and why they behave the way they do. Sentiance helps companies make sense of this new and very powerful data. Some of the world’s most innovative companies are adopting our platform to help them make their customers’ lives safer, smarter, healthier and convenient. Ultimately the Internet of Things should be about people, not things. We believe the real promise of IOT is the Internet of You.” said Toon Vanparys, CEO of Sentiance.

“Major players in the insurance, ride-hailing, mobility, health and IOT industries use Sentiance’s AI platform to power the Internet of You. This has the potential to change the lives of everyone around us which makes working with the Sentiance team such a positive and rewarding experience. ” said Frank Maene managing partner of Volta Ventures. “Sentiance was the first investment we made when we started the fund in January 2015 and we’re excited to continue our journey with them as the team grows to its next stage.”

Herman Kienhuis, managing director of KPN Ventures adds: “The future digital customer experience will be fully personalized. Sentiance’ powerful predictive analysis technology offers companies a unique tool to improve their customers’ experience and develop new personalized services, while respecting strict European privacy laws. We’re happy to support the Sentiance team in realizing this ambition, together with a powerful group of international investors”

About Sentiance
Sentiance is a data science company turning IOT sensor data into rich insights about people’s behaviour and real-time context. Sentiance was born in January 2015, has offices in Antwerp, New York and London. More than 80% of the employees are highly skilled data scientists and software engineers, specialized in machine learning, deep learning and signal processing. As an enabling platform, Sentiance focuses on large innovation driven companies and disruptors, as a partner and collaborator to drive transformational change. Sentiance core purpose is to become the context engine for the Internet of You leveraging our core expertise in behavioural analytics based on observed data by assisting them in building out deeper and more valuable relations with their end-customers. www.sentiance.com

About Volta Ventures
Volta Ventures Arkiv invests in young and ambitious internet and software companies in the Benelux. The fund’s team, with active support from some 30 business angels, expects to make a substantial impact on every company it invests in by working with the founders and management to identify new markets and customers, hire senior talent, provide ongoing guidance and arrange further financing rounds. Volta Ventures Arkiv is supported by ARKimedes-Fund II (an initiative of ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen NV and the Flemish Region) and the European Investment Fund. www.volta.ventures

About KPN Ventures
KPN Ventures is the venturing arm of KPN, The Netherlands’ leading telecom & ICT company. KPN Ventures aims to build value-creating partnership with innovative technology companies, providing access to capital, expertise, network and customer channels. It focuses on early growth-stage investments in European companies in the segments: Internet of Things, Connected Home, Digital Healthcare, Cyber Security, Mobile/OTT services, Cloud Computing and Data & Analytics. KPN Ventures has its main office in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and has invested in a.o. Actility, EclecticIQ, SecurityMatters, Viloc, Sensara, CardioSecur and Nello.
www.kpnventures.com | twitter.com/kpnventures

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Reiten & Co sells its shareholding in Data Respons ASA

Reiten

Reiten & Co Capital Partners VII L.P. has sold its 32.7% ownership interest in Data Respons ASA, at NOK 26.5 per share, representing a total transaction sum of approximately NOK 426.3m. The transaction was done through an accelerated bookbuilding process yesterday.

Data Respons has over the years strategically positioned itself at the heart of the on-going digitalization trends and developed into a leading European provider of embedded solutions and high-quality R&D services. Every journey has its end, and Reiten & Co would like to thank Mr Kenneth Ragnvaldsen (CEO) and the highly skilled organization for outstanding contribution to value creation.

“We have been invested in Data Respons since 2009 and it has been very rewarding to work with such a competent and professional team. The company has successfully strengthened its position within R&D services, both through accretive acquisitions and organic growth. It is well positioned in the centre of the digitalization and internet-of-things megatrends, with products and services that the customers value highly,” says Narve Reiten, founding partner of Reiten & Co.

“Through our sale of shares we expect the free-float and liquidity in the stock will increase, and that the company will continue to perform strongly,” Mr. Reiten adds.

Mr. Reiten has served as a board member since 2015, and he will continue as a board member. The brokers required Mr. Reiten to invest NOK 10 million in shares with a six-month lock up. He will therefore continue as a shareholder in Data Respons, through his private investment company.

 

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Summa Equity builds platform for big-data enabled businesses

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Summa Equity establishes Summa Digital – a platform for big data enabled businesses with ground breaking technologies within their respective field. The platform holds three businesses that Summa Equity has added to its portfolio. 

Summa Equity has invested in Swedish IVBAR Institute AB, Norwegian Documaster AS and UK-based Qlearsite Ltd. All three companies are early actors with leading solutions within different areas of big data solutions.

Christian Melby, Partner at Summa Equity said: “The field of data analytics is growing exponentially. Niche markets are developing solutions tailored to the specific needs of businesses and organisations. IVBAR, Documaster and Qlearsite are all pioneers within their respective fields and have succeeded in developing technically sophisticated solutions with strong value propositions for users. We have closely followed the companies’ rapid market traction, the positive feedback received from customers and how the products have proven to be very solid.”

Summa Equity is focused on helping Summa Digital companies in their next phase of development, with funding and support to scale up the businesses for broader roll-out and growth acceleration.

Tommi Unkuri, Partner at Summa Equity, said: “The joint big data platform creates good conditions for synergies in for example go-to-market and development processes. These will be important growth enablers and accelerators.”

IVBAR is a Swedish digital health company that has developed a big data analytics platform, ERA Vision, that enables improved management of healthcare through a focus on patient value. The platform improves transparency and provides unique levels of insight into both health outcomes and resource allocation, and is useful for both payors and providers of healthcare. IVBAR’s solutions have been developed in collaboration with both public and private partners, and the company has succeeded in consolidating vast amounts of highly fragmented healthcare data, enabling a level of insight previously unseen in the system. ERA Vision is used for advanced benchmarking, performance monitoring and calculation of reimbursement.

Tommi Unkuri, continued: “IVBAR addresses fundamentally important topics in the healthcare sector and we believe that IVBAR will have a strong positive contribution to its customers and to patients. IVBAR’s solutions are highly scalable across countries, and the underlying challenges are similar in all healthcare systems. IVBAR has a unique position to provide solutions, based on close collaborations with public health providers in Sweden, its in-depth knowledge of the healthcare system, and a unique digital platform.”

Documaster is a Norwegian digital record management company with core competence on digitization, information management and cloud-based archiving of valuable data. The company has developed a unique technology that addresses an increasing need for efficient and compliant archiving, driven by the rapid growth in digital documentation as well as an increased regulatory focus on record management. The solutions enable organisations to capture, process and preserve data in one single application, where it can easily and instantly be accessed through user-friendly retrieval and search functionality, whilst catering to relevant compliance requirements. The company offers a system agnostic archiving core that is compliant with EU and local regulations.

Christian Melby, said: “Digital documentation is growing at an exponential rate and is rapidly phasing out physical documentation, leaving companies with out-dated, underperforming systems for record management. This is a growing headache for companies and institutions worldwide, and put them at risk of failure to meet regulatory standards. With Documaster’s solutions, organisations are able to regain control of their data. Documaster’s impressive technologies help customers to decommission legacy systems, digitalize paper documents, and gather all records into one application that is user friendly and quick to implement.”

Qlearsite is an early actor in the rapidly growing field of people analytics for human resource management, based in the United Kingdom. The company has developed a technology that is specifically designed to analyse and make predictions about the behaviour of people in a workforce, using both structured and unstructured data. The product suite ranges across data connection and reporting, predictive analysis, and survey analytics, to create a complete toolbox for impactful analysis. The company defines their approach as Organisational Science, using intelligent analytics technologies with data generated by employees to enable corporations to understand the culture within their organisation and get important insights about how to get the best out of their talent base.

Christian Melby continued: “Hiring the right people and making them thrive is a key value driver and crucial for the performance of any business. Companies worldwide are becoming increasingly aware of this strong connection between commercial success and proper management of employees, and thereby the value potential in being able to perform proper analysis on HR data. Qlearsite is at the forefront of this movement with their Organisational Science approach, helping companies to get a deep understanding of what influences their organisation, its people and how to improve performance. Their state of the art solution allows users to perform complete analysis that answers the questions of what, who and why and to make the right priorities in creating stronger organisations, thereby gaining competitive advantages and avoiding unnecessary costs.”

Ends

For more information, please contact:

Christian Melby, Partner, Summa Equity, +47 (0)958 13 277, christian.melby@summaequity.com

Tommi Unkuri, Partner, Summa Equity, +46 (0)70 508 1196, tommi.unkuri@summaequity.com

Jonas Wohlin, IVBAR, +46 (0)708 55 37 00, jonas.wohlin@ivbar.com

Pål Reinert Bredvei, CEO, Documaster, +47 (0)91 10 28 68, prb@documaster.no

Peter Clark, Founder, Qlearsite, +44 (0)77 8866 5434, peter.clark@qlearsite.com

Alex Borekull, Founder, Qlearsite, +44 (0)78 8779 1645, alex.borekull@qlearsite.com 

About Summa Equity

Summa Equity was formed in 2016 by partners with a shared vision of building a leading specialised private equity firm in the Nordic lower mid-market, positioned to capture the investment opportunity provided by the thematic megatrends expected to drive growth over the long term. The Firm focuses on sectors related to four megatrend driven themes: resource scarcity, energy efficiency, changing demographics and tech-enabled businesses. Summa Equity closed its first fund in February 2017 with commitments of SEK 4.5 billion.

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