Tag Archives: Information technology

AXA XL teams up with Contguard to launch Connected Cargo

AXA

AXA XL teams up with Contguard to launch Connected Cargo

AXA XL Risk Consulting, in partnership with Contguard, today announced the launch of “Connected Cargo”, a real-time digital cargo tracking solution designed to help French companies optimise their supply chain.

Contguard specialises in Big Data and uses Artificial Intelligence to develop applications and services for companies that need to secure their goods in transit. The company uses data from sensors placed on containers, such as geolocation, temperature and humidity fluctuations, door opening or shock.

Through this partnership, clients will benefit from 24/7 monitoring and the expertise of AXA XL’s risk engineers in order to implement prevention plans.

Maxime Ambourg, Director, Offer & Innovation at AXA Matrix*, now part of AXA XL, comments: “Connected Cargo brings together some of the best tracking and datamining technologies and the experience of our specialised risk engineers. Working with Contguard allows us to augment our consultants’ expertise and to provide more precise and impactful prevention services for the risks associated with transportation and logistics.”

AXA Venture Partners, AXA’s venture capital fund dedicated to technology, invested in Contguard in 2018.

Sébastien Loubry, Partner, Global Head of Business Development at AXA Venture Partners, explains: “We are delighted that Contguard, one of our investments, established a partnership with AXA XL. We are convinced that the technology they developed, which brings a real difference to that market, will provide a lot of value to their clients.”

Follow AXA XL on Twitter and on LinkedIn.

Axa Venture Partners

ABOUT AXA XL[1]

AXA XL1 provides insurance and risk management products and services for mid-sized companies through to large multinationals, and reinsurance solutions to insurance companies globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com

 

ABOUT AXA XL[1] RISK CONSULTING

AXA XL[1] Risk Consulting delivers a comprehensive range of risk management solutions and consulting services. Our global network of professionals helps identify current and future risks, while providing practical and realistic solutions to optimize and mitigate them. We empower our clients to improve business results and protect brand value. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, www.axaxl.com

 

ABOUT CONTGUARD

XXX

 

MEDIA RELATIONS:

Alexandre Rizos

alexandre.rizos@axaxl.com

+44 (0) 207 933 7624


1AXA XL is a division of AXA Group providing products and services through four business groups: AXA XL Insurance, AXA XL Reinsurance, AXA XL Art & Lifestyle and AXA XL Risk Consulting.

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Quest Acquires Development & Database Market Leader ApexSQL to Enhance Information Management Business Solution Offerings

Franciso Partners

  • Acquisition of ApexSQL expands Quest’s database management tools portfolio that help organizations securely manage, monitor and optimize Microsoft SQL Server environments
  • ApexSQL’s successful heritage in SQL Server productivity tools augment Quest’s commitment in helping DBAs and developers maintain optimal SQL Server performance
  • ApexSQL products allow Quest to have deeper solution conversations with prospects, customers and partners around SQL Server

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.– Quest Software, a global systems management, data protection and security software provider, today announced the acquisition of ApexSQL, a market leader in SQL Server development and database tools. The acquisition of ApexSQL strengthens the Quest Information Management business unit’s portfolio of solutions that give DBAs and developers the tools to securely automate the management, movement, and performance of SQL Server database infrastructures to increase productivity and reduce costs. In addition to SQL Server, Quest’s Information Management business unit has a broad range of database management and performance monitoring solutions that support a variety of applications and database platforms, including Oracle, MySQL, PostGreSQL, MongoDB, and others.

With companies placing increased emphasis on data to support strategic growth, businesses require proven database management tools to drive value, meet organizational needs and ensure optimal performance. ApexSQL’s database auditing, recovery, change management, development and documentation solutions will bolster Quest’s existing database tools portfolio for SQL Server environments. Additionally, it introduces new opportunities to engage with prospects, customers and partners looking for automated tools to better manage SQL Server workloads and ensure their data meets compliance requirements.

“We’re pleased to further enhance our portfolio of database operation solutions with the acquisition of ApexSQL,” said Jeff Hawn, Chairman and CEO, Quest. “We remain unwavering in our commitment to deliver products that are simple to use and address our customers’ toughest technology challenges. Today’s announcement is indicative of that commitment.”

“We’re joining Quest today at an exciting time where our joint technology stacks are helping DBAs and developers address their SQL Server challenges to make an impact on the industry,” said Brian Lockwood, Chief Executive Officer, ApexSQL. “As part of the Quest family, we will be able to maximize the potential of our SQL Server offerings to deliver the most value to customers and partners.”

ApexSQL will join the Quest Information Management business, which is dedicated to helping companies manage, monitor, and move their data and database infrastructures across traditional databases, open-source databases, both on-premise and in the cloud.

“DBAs and developers tell us they need reliable tools to manage and secure an increasingly heterogeneous database environment,” said Kathleen Owens, President and GM, Quest Information Management. “Microsoft SQL Server is a vital part of our customers’ database solution mix and adding the ApexSQL portfolio into our proven SQL Server database management solutions builds on our commitment to help customers manage their SQL Server database environment. Quest will continue to be steadfast in its commitment to develop and expand solutions across a variety of database types to ensure we deliver the solutions customers need to better manage, protect, and ensure optimal performance across multi-database environments.”

About Quest Software

Quest provides software solutions for the rapidly-changing world of enterprise IT that help simplify the challenges caused by data explosion, cloud expansion, hybrid datacenters, security threats and regulatory requirements. The company is a global provider to 130,000 companies across 100 countries, including 95% of the Fortune 500 and 90% of the Global 1000. Since 1987, Quest has built a portfolio of solutions which now includes database management, data protection, identity and access management, Microsoft platform management and unified endpoint management. With Quest, organizations spend less time on IT administration and more time on business innovation. For more information, visit www.quest.com.

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Transaction reinforces Hg’s position as Europe’s largest software investor, with Visma’s Enterprise Value now €6.5 billion

HG Capital

18 April 2019. Hg today announces that Hg Saturn and its investors have agreed to a further c.€640 million equity investment in Visma, a leading provider of business-critical software to private and public enterprises in the Nordic, Benelux and Baltic regions. The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) will also make a further investment of c.€110 million in Visma as part of this transaction.

Hg is already the majority owner of Visma, having led the original delisting of Visma from the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2006.  Hg has been the lead or co-lead investor in Visma for the last 13 years.  Cinven, who first invested in Visma in 2014, sold part of its stake to Hg and co-investors in 2017 and is now selling the entirety of its remaining shareholding in Visma as part of this transaction.  The transaction values Visma at an enterprise value of over €6.5 billion.

Hg is Europe’s largest investor in private software business and has supported Visma’s management to build a world-class company through several stages of growth and innovation since 2006.  Most importantly Visma management, backed by Hg, started to invest in cloud and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) in 2009.  This early investment has given Visma a significant competitive advantage, having transitioned, over the last decade, from a largely on-premise software provider to being Europe’s largest provider of cloud-delivered SaaS to businesses.  Today Visma has over $1billion of SaaS revenues delivered to more than 500,000 customers, with over 70% of Visma’s revenues coming from cloud-delivered SaaS products or services.

During Hg’s ownership period over the last 13 years, Visma’s world-class management team has delivered consistent revenue and profit growth of more than 20% per year, evolving from a business valued at under €450 million in 2006 into one valued at over €6.5 billion today.

Following completion of the transaction, Hg’s managed funds will own c.63% of Visma, alongside other significant co-investors including GIC, ICG, Montagu and CPPIB.

Nic Humphries, Senior Partner and Head of the Hg Saturn Fund said: “Working closely with Øystein Moan and his team over the last 13 years has been a pleasure.  Quite simply they are a world-class team, and great fun to work with.  They have built Europe’s leading SMB SaaS business. This is a testament to their technical competence and willingness to invest early and consistently for the long-term in new technologies that, in turn, bring great benefits to their nearly 1 million customers.  Hg were able to recognise the potential of SaaS well ahead of most investors because of our longevity and focus on the sector.   We are proud to have been by Øystein and Visma’s side every step of the way on this exciting journey for the last 13 years and many more in the future.”

Øystein Moan, CEO and Chairman of Visma said: “Hg is Europe’s largest and most consistent investor in software and SaaS businesses over the last 20 years, having led more software deals than any other private investor in Europe.  To have a partner with this background is a significant advantage for any management team and this experience has helped Visma on every step of our growth.  They have been, consistently, our largest investor over the last 13 years, demonstrating what long-term support really means.  I’m delighted that two world-class investors, Hg and CPPIB, have decided to invest further in the company.”

This investment re-enforces Hg’s position as Europe’s leading software investor.  Hg has led over 40 “platform” software investments and more than 200 bolt-on acquisitions, delivering industry-leading investment returns to its investors.  Successful software/SaaS investments include: Addison Software, Allocate Software, Computer Software Group, IRIS Software, P&I, RAET, Sequel, Sovos and over 30 others.

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NPM CAPITAL acquires 35% stake in OHPEN

NPM Capital

First and long-time investor Amerborgh sells a part of its stake in Ohpen to NPM Capital that upon the transaction will have a 35% stake in Ohpen. Amerborgh wanted to sell this stake to finance ongoing and future projects, like the arts and culture centre ‘het HEM’ in Zaandam, the Netherlands. Ohpen is a fast-growing Fintech company. The Ohpen SaaS, cloud native core banking platform administers retail investment and savings accounts for banks and other financial institutions.

Rutger Ruigrok, Managing Director at NPM Capital explains: “The technology sector is an increasingly important focus point in our investment portfolio. Already, we have had Ohpen in sight as one of the most promising technology companies that we have seen in the past few years. We are impressed with their achievements over the past ten years: a cloud native core banking engine, an impressive customer base and a wonderful foundation for further growth. We are very enthusiastic about now being part of their future.”

Having the new shareholder on board means a broadening of our options to finance future growth, although Ohpen can still advance with the growth capital that we raised early 2018, says Matthijs Aler, CEO of Ohpen. “With Amerborgh and now also with NPM, we have a well-balanced long-term shareholder structure that enables Ohpen to realize all of its future growth ambitions. I am really looking forward to working with the NPM team.”

Ohpen is the world’s first cloud native core banking provider and became a market leader in the Dutch midsize banking market over the past few years. In the near future, Ohpen will extend its services to large banks and the pension market.

Michel Vrolijk, Managing Director at Amerborgh Netherlands is happy with the fact that the company decided to invest in Ohpen ten years ago. “Our expectations at the time have always been exceeded. We hope to be a partner of Ohpen’s incredible adventure for a long time to come.”

About Ohpen
Ohpen is the first SaaS core banking engine in the world that runs entirely in the cloud. Ohpen liberates its customers from their legacy systems, making them more flexible, safe, scalable and compliant. Founded in 2009 by a team of experienced bankers and software developers, the Ohpen platform administers savings and investment accounts for clients such as Aegon, Nationale-Nederlanden, Volksbank and other banks, investment institutions and insurers. The company employs over 120 people in the Netherlands and Spain.

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Transaction reinforces Hg’s position as Europe’s largest software investor, with Visma’s Enterprise Value now €6.5 billion

HG Capital

18 April 2019. Hg today announces that Hg Saturn and its investors have agreed to a further c.€640 million equity investment in Visma, a leading provider of business-critical software to private and public enterprises in the Nordic, Benelux and Baltic regions. The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) will also make a further investment of c.€110 million in Visma as part of this transaction.

Hg is already the majority owner of Visma, having led the original delisting of Visma from the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2006.  Hg has been the lead or co-lead investor in Visma for the last 13 years.  Cinven, who first invested in Visma in 2014, sold part of its stake to Hg and co-investors in 2017 and is now selling the entirety of its remaining shareholding in Visma as part of this transaction.  The transaction values Visma at an enterprise value of over €6.5 billion.

Hg is Europe’s largest investor in private software business and has supported Visma’s management to build a world-class company through several stages of growth and innovation since 2006.  Most importantly Visma management, backed by Hg, started to invest in cloud and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) in 2009.  This early investment has given Visma a significant competitive advantage, having transitioned, over the last decade, from a largely on-premise software provider to being Europe’s largest provider of cloud-delivered SaaS to businesses.  Today Visma has over $1billion of SaaS revenues delivered to more than 500,000 customers, with over 70% of Visma’s revenues coming from cloud-delivered SaaS products or services.

During Hg’s ownership period over the last 13 years, Visma’s world-class management team has delivered consistent revenue and profit growth of more than 20% per year, evolving from a business valued at under €450 million in 2006 into one valued at over €6.5 billion today.

Following completion of the transaction, Hg’s managed funds will own c.63% of Visma, alongside other significant co-investors including GIC, ICG, Montagu and CPPIB.

Nic Humphries, Senior Partner and Head of the Hg Saturn Fund said: “Working closely with Øystein Moan and his team over the last 13 years has been a pleasure.  Quite simply they are a world-class team, and great fun to work with.  They have built Europe’s leading SMB SaaS business. This is a testament to their technical competence and willingness to invest early and consistently for the long-term in new technologies that, in turn, bring great benefits to their nearly 1 million customers.  Hg were able to recognise the potential of SaaS well ahead of most investors because of our longevity and focus on the sector.   We are proud to have been by Øystein and Visma’s side every step of the way on this exciting journey for the last 13 years and many more in the future.”

Øystein Moan, CEO and Chairman of Visma said: “Hg is Europe’s largest and most consistent investor in software and SaaS businesses over the last 20 years, having led more software deals than any other private investor in Europe.  To have a partner with this background is a significant advantage for any management team and this experience has helped Visma on every step of our growth.  They have been, consistently, our largest investor over the last 13 years, demonstrating what long-term support really means.  I’m delighted that two world-class investors, Hg and CPPIB, have decided to invest further in the company.”

This investment re-enforces Hg’s position as Europe’s leading software investor.  Hg has led over 40 “platform” software investments and more than 200 bolt-on acquisitions, delivering industry-leading investment returns to its investors.  Successful software/SaaS investments include: Addison Software, Allocate Software, Computer Software Group, IRIS Software, P&I, RAET, Sequel, Sovos and over 30 others.

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Cinven agrees final realisation of Visma

Cinven

Successful realisation further strengthens Cinven’s industry-leading TMT track record

International private equity firm Cinven today announces that it has agreed to sell its remaining stake in Visma (‘the Group’) to Hg and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for an undisclosed consideration. This transaction represents Cinven’s final realisation of Visma, following its partial realisation to an Hg-led consortium in June 2017.

Visma is a leading provider of business-critical software including accounting, tax and payroll applications to small and medium sized enterprises (‘SMEs’), retailers and local authorities across the Nordic, Benelux and Baltic regions. Cinven’s TMT team identified Visma as an attractive investment opportunity given its market leading position in the Nordic region, delivery of mission-critical software to a wide customer base, subscription model with high recurring revenues and significant growth potential as customers migrate their legacy ‘on premise’ software applications to online cloud-based applications. Having followed Visma since 2008, Cinven ultimately invested in Visma in 2014.

Since 2014, Cinven has worked closely with Visma’s industry-leading management team and its co-shareholders to generate strong financial performance, with revenue growth of more than 25% per annum, alongside transforming the Group into a more “pure-play” cloud based solutions provider, driving a premium exit valuation for Cinven. Key achievements under Cinven’s ownership include:

  • Executing a successful bolt-on acquisition strategy, with more than 80 acquisitions completed in the Nordic, Benelux and Baltic regions;
  • Delivering strong underlying trading growth through investment in Visma’s marketing capabilities and infrastructure to capitalise on cross- and up-sell opportunities across Visma’s extensive product portfolio;
  • Accelerating the transition of the business from traditional ‘on premise’ software to cloud based solutions, with software-as-a-service (‘SaaS’) and SaaS-like revenues representing more than 40% of the business today (vs. c. 10% at acquisition); and
  • Rationalising the Group through the sale of non-core divisions, including Visma’s Hosting business, BPO business and certain divisions within its Retail business.

Chris Good, Partner at Cinven, said:

“Øystein and his outstanding team are creating quite simply the best financial and accounting-focused software business in Northern Europe. We have been proud to be part of the progress the company has made over the last five years, supporting over 80 acquisitions and investing behind an exciting expansion in both the regions in which it operates and its product portfolio.”

Øystein Moan, Group CEO of Visma, commented:

“It has been great working with Cinven. The Cinven team has demonstrated an excellent understanding of our business and the market and helped us reshape our organisation to drive significant growth. The business has been truly transformed into a leading SaaS business in Europe, and is in a very strong position today, largely as a result of the support from Cinven and our other co-investors.”

The successful realisation of Visma reinforces Cinven’s strong TMT track record, with recent realisations including Ufinet Group, HEG and Numericable. Alongside these successful realisations, Cinven’s TMT team has continued to actively invest in the sector, with recent acquisitions including RTB House, One.com, Ufinet International and Allegro.

Completion of the transaction is expected to take place in Q2 2019. Cinven was advised on this transaction by Freshfields.

 

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ACTIVA CAPITAL acquires MEDISYS, software publisher in the medico-social sector, alongside entrepeneur Guillaume Bouillot

Activa Capital

Activa Capital has acquired a majority position in Medisys, together with Turenne Santé, the entrepreneur
and new CEO Guillaume Bouillot and the management team. Bernard Chevalier, founder, is supporting the
operation and remains a shareholder.
Medisys is a leading software publisher in the home-care field and for institutions specialized in dependent
persons.

After nearly 30 years at the head of the company based in Aix-en-Provence and created in 1991, its founder
Bernard Chevalier hands over the management to Guillaume Bouillot, a software entrepreneur.
The new management team will build on values that have made the company successful while providing
the means to accelerate the digitalization of personal services. The challenge is to support the
transformation of organizations that bring together care institutions, home support, medical/nursing
services and aids to daily life. Medisys’ development is based on its recognized expertise in the care of
dependent persons and on its technological innovations making it possible to streamline the operators’
organization and secure the patient follow-up. The company also intends to intensify the deployment of
traceability systems for hygiene and cleaning services in sensitive environments, particularly in the medical
sector, with its Mobiserv solution.
Thanks to 17 years of experience between the creation and sale of Eudonet (a publisher of CRM solutions),
Guillaume Bouillot brings a new energy to the company with a desire to accelerate by fostering links with
customers and the ecosystem.
Activa Capital and Turenne Santé will enable Medisys to strengthen its positions through strategic
acquisitions to complete its offer.

With this transaction, Activa Capital is making the 9th investment of its latest fund, Activa Capital Fund III.
Guillaume Bouillot, President of Medisys Holding, said: “I was very impressed by Activa Capital’s unique
ability to support entrepreneurs and bring its skills and energy to bear on their ambitions. The association
with the sector specialist Turenne Santé is a key asset for this transition from one entrepreneur to another
in a consolidating sector”.

Bernard Chevalier, Founder of Medisys, added: “This is a new momentum for Medisys, which has the solid
fundamentals to pursue and expand its rapid development and satisfy our most demanding clients in the
medico-social sector”.

Christophe Parier and Alexandre Masson, Partners of Activa Capital, completed: “We were impressed by
Medisys’ history and positioning. The arrival of Guillaume Bouillot will enable the company to carry out its
ambitious development projects. This acquisition is in line with Activa Capital’s strategy of investing in
companies that are at a turning point in their growth to help them accelerate their development”.

Mounia Chaoui, Associate Director, Turenne Santé stated: “We are delighted to support Guillaume Bouillot
and the Medisys teams in the takeover of the group, in partnership with Activa Capital. Medisys has
developed a remarkable offer that facilitates the development of home services, at the heart of new
healthcare policies that we are addressing with Capital Santé 2”.

Participants
New CEO
Corporate lawyer: Allen Overy (Raphaël Bloch)

Investors
Activa Capital: Christophe Parier, Alexandre Masson, Frédéric Singer, Elliot Thiéblin
Turenne Santé: Mounia Chaoui, Grégory Dupas
Financial Due Diligence: PwC (David Willems, Pierre-Mikhaël, Kévin Barrier)
Strategic Due Diligence: PMSI (Remi de Guilhermier, Florence Royer, Lucinda Nicholson)
Social and legal Due Diligence: Hogan Lovells (Stéphane Huten, Paul Leroy, Alexandre Jeannerot)
M&A advisor: Bryan Garnier (Thibaut De Smedt, Pierre Lafitte, Alexandre Brestin)
Corporate lawyers: Hogan Lovells (Stéphane Huten, Paul Leroy, Alexandre Jeannerot), Paul Hastings
(Sébastien Crepy)
Financing lawyer: Hogan Lovells (Alexander Premont, Luc Bontoux, Adrien Gaudron)

Founder
Vendor Due Diligence: Exelmans (Stéphane Dahan, Manuel Manas, Matthieu Réglade, Philippe Pelet)
M&A advisor: Edmond de Rothschild Corporate Finance (Philippe Duval, Marguerite Mell, Lucrèce
d’Assignies, Aurélien Rivière)
Corporate lawyer: Lamartine Conseil (Vincent Libaud)
Senior financing
Senior debt: Crédit du Nord (Bertrand Descours, Amandine Proux), Crédit Agricole Provence Alpes Côte
d’Azur (Christophe Lejeune, Violaine Mahier), BNP Paribas (Mathias Ronzeaud)

About Activa Capital
Activa Capital is an independent private equity company, owned by its partners, characterized by a proactive
strategy of supporting growth (organic and external). It currently manages more than €500 million on behalf
of institutional investors by investing in French SMEs and Mid-Caps with high growth potential and an
enterprise value ranging between €20 million and €100 million. Activa Capital supports its portfolio
companies to accelerate their development and international presence, often through active build-up
programs.
To learn more about Activa Capital, visit activacapital.com

About Turenne Capital Group
With more than €220 million under management, including more than €100 million for the FPCI Capital
Santé 2, Turenne Santé supports healthcare companies in their development and transmission challenges.

As an independent private equity player in France, the Turenne Capital group manages more than €1 billion.
Its teams, composed of 55 professionals, including 38 investors, based in Paris, Lille, Lyon, Marseille and
Metz, support more than 250 companies employing more than 23,000 people in the health, hospitality,
new technology, distribution and innovative services sectors.
To learn more about Turenne Capital, visit www.turennecapital.com

Press contacts
Christophe Parier Alexandre Masson Christelle Piatto
Partner Partner Communications Manager
+33 1 43 12 50 12 +33 1 43 12 50 12 +33 1 43 12 50 12
christophe.parier@activacapital.com alexandre.masson@activacapital.com christelle.piatto@activacapital.com
Mounia Chaoui Josepha Montana
Partner Communications Manager
+33 1 53 43 03 03 +33 1 53 43 03 03
mchaoui@turennecapital.com jmontana@turennecapital.com

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Carlyle Cardinal Ireland (CCI) Sells Payzone to AIB and First Data for €100m

Carlyle

New owners to build on growth achieved under CCI

Ireland – Carlyle Cardinal Ireland has announced that Payzone, one of Ireland’s largest providers of payment solutions, is to be acquired by a newly-formed joint venture established by AIB Group plc (AIB) and First Data Corporation. The joint venture will acquire a majority stake in Payzone from existing shareholders, including Carlyle Cardinal Ireland Fund (CCI), for an enterprise value of up to €100 million.

CCI, the private equity fund established by The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) and Cardinal Capital Group, acquired a majority shareholding in Payzone in March 2015 and the company has grown strongly during the four years of CCI ownership. CCI worked closely with the management team to diversify the business and develop the company into a multichannel payments provider, employing 90 people. 

Today Payzone’s technology solutions allow both large and small Irish businesses to accept payments in store, on the road, over the phone, and through a website or app. The company processes 125 million transactions annually for 100+ client companies and operates Ireland’s largest retail payments network with 11,500+ points of sale throughout the country.

The change in ownership will have no impact on the day-to-day business operations of Payzone in Ireland. The senior management team, including Jim Deignan, CEO and Nigel Bell, CFO, will remain in their roles. 

Jim Deignan, Chief Executive, Payzone Ireland, said: “This development is a positive step for Payzone and a vote of confidence in the future of the business. We see significant opportunity to grow our footprint in the fintech sector and this can only be enhanced further with the backing and support of our new shareholders, who bring deep industry expertise to make things happen. The team at Carlyle Cardinal Ireland, which originally invested in Payzone in 2015, has worked very successfully with us to help develop the business and to support our continued growth. We thank them for their great support and investment over that period.”

Peter Garvey, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group, said: “Working with the fantastic management team at Payzone, CCI’s investment in innovation and new product development has helped to accelerate the growth of the business and to transform it into one of Ireland’s most successful multi-channel payment solutions platforms. Net revenue and EBITDA have grown by 40% and 70% respectively, since we invested. Payzone still has numerous opportunities for further growth, which can now be realised with the support of the new investors. This is the fund’s third exit and once again demonstrates the benefits of active, growth-focused private equity investment for ambitious Irish businesses.”

Daragh Lane, Cardinal Capital Group said: “At CCI we believe in helping management teams grow the companies we invest in. When CCI acquired a majority shareholding in Payzone four years ago it processed 61 million transactions a year, delivering a gross transaction value of €1 billion to its customers. Today it processes 125 million transactions a year delivering in excess of €2 billion of value to its customers and is a well-established Irish fintech organisation that drives significant innovations across many traditionally cash-based markets.”

CCI representatives Peter Garvey and Robert Easton of The Carlyle Group and Daragh Lane of Cardinal Capital Group will step down from the Payzone Board on completion of the transaction, which is subject to approval from the European and Irish competition authorities.

* * * * *

Press Contacts:

Cardinal Capital Group
Tom McEnaney, McEnaney Media
Tel: +353 87 2222 666 tom@tommcenaney.com

The Carlyle Group
Laurie Mannix, MKC Communications
Tel. +353 1 703 8620 Mob: 086 814 3710 laurie@mkc.ie

Payzone
Frans van Cauwelaert, WHPR
Tel: +353 87 947 6743 frans.vancauwelaert@ogilvy.com

About Payzone

In Ireland, Payzone is the largest consumer payments network in the country with over 7,500 retail agents which process a variety of electronic transaction services, including mobile phone top ups, debit/credit card transactions; M50 motorway toll payments; Leap travel cards, local property tax payments, parking fees, schools and clubs payment platform, pre-paid utility and parcel collection services.

The company employs over 90 people based in its Sandyford head office in Dublin.

Payzone’s focus is on delivering leading edge payment services that drive greater efficiency for clients and increased revenues for its retail partners.

As industry leader, Payzone’s technology credentials, capabilities and expertise are a particular strength of the business.    

Visit www.payzone.ie

About Carlyle Cardinal Ireland

Carlyle Cardinal Ireland is a joint venture between The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) and Cardinal Capital Group.  The €292 million private equity fund is focused on growth capital and buyout investment opportunities across the island of Ireland.

About Cardinal Capital Group

Cardinal Capital Group is Ireland’s leading provider of alternative capital, directing private-equity capital, mezzanine finance and alternative lending to a broad range of sectors in the Irish market.  Cardinal invests its own capital alongside institutional funders to support entrepreneurs and corporate management teams as well as real-estate investors and developers.

Web: www.cardinalcapitalgroup.com

About The Carlyle Group

The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with $216 billion of assets under management across 343 investment vehicles as of December 31, 2018.  Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, many of whom are public pensions.  Carlyle invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Credit and Investment Solutions – in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America.  Carlyle has expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, real estate, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation.  The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,650 people in 31 offices across six continents

Web: www.carlyle.com
Videos: www.youtube.com/onecarlyle
Tweets: www.twitter.com/onecarlyle
Podcasts: www.carlyle.com/about-carlyle/market- commentary

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Platinum Equity and The Gores Group Sell Data Blue to Court Square Capital Partners

Platinum

Los Angeles, CA, April 11, 2019 – Platinum Equity and The Gores Group announced today the sale of Data Blue to Court Square Capital Partners. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2011, Data Blue is a provider of customized infrastructure, cloud architecture and virtualized solutions to enterprise customers in North America.

Platinum Equity and The Gores Group, through its Gores Small Capitalization Partners fund, acquired a controlling stake in Data Blue in 2016 and worked together with the company’s management team to drive growth and operational improvement plans.

“We’ve enjoyed a great partnership over the past three years that has helped substantially grow and diversify our business,” said Data Blue CEO Stephen Ayoub. “We have evolved from our roots in data storage and established the company as a leading provider of converged infrastructure solutions that is well positioned for continued success.”

“We’ve worked together to create an efficient, truly scalable platform that is built for sustainable growth,” said Platinum Equity Partner Jacob Kotzubei. “It’s been a real collaborative effort and we are proud of everything the company has accomplished during our stewardship.”

Since 2016, Data Blue’s revenue has grown nearly 50 percent as the company has deepened relationships with technology partners, developed an Infrastructure Transformation practice, invested in new sales and marketing capabilities, and completed two add-on acquisitions.“We’ve worked together to create an efficient, truly scalable platform that is built for sustainable growth,” said Platinum Equity Partner Jacob Kotzubei. “It’s been a real collaborative effort and we are proud of everything the company has accomplished during our stewardship.”

Ed Johnson, Senior Managing Director at The Gores Group, said, “Data Blue has evolved into a world class IT solutions provider through impressive gains organically and through execution of a successful M&A strategy. We wish Stephen and the team great future success.”

In January 2017 Data Blue acquired LPS Integration, a Value Added Reseller specializing in cloud infrastructure, networking, security and storage architecture. In April 2017 it acquired Atlanta-based cloud expertise and consulting firm, Williams & Garcia.

Raymond James & Associates acted as financial advisor and Morgan Lewis acted as legal advisor to Platinum Equity and The Gores Group on the sale of Data Blue. Dechert acted as the legal adviser to Court Square on the acquisition.

About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with approximately $13 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 40 operating companies that serve customers around the world. The firm is currently investing from Platinum Equity Capital Partners IV, a $6.5 billion global buyout fund, and Platinum Equity Small Cap Fund, a $1.5 billion buyout fund focused on investment opportunities in the lower middle market. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 23 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 250 acquisitions.

About The Gores Group  
The Gores Group, founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, is a global investment firm focused on partnering with differentiated businesses that can benefit from its extensive industry knowledge, decades long experience and flexible capital base. Over its 30 year history, the firm has developed a deep understanding of and appreciation for building businesses and creating value alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Greenwich, CT and Boulder, CO. For more information, please visit www.gores.com.

About Court Square Capital Partners
Court Square is a middle market private equity firm with one of the most experienced investment teams in the industry. Since 1979, the team has completed 225 investments, including several landmark transactions, and has developed numerous businesses into leaders in their respective markets. Court Square invests in companies that have compelling growth potential within the business services, general industrial, healthcare, and technology and telecommunications sectors. The firm has $6.2 billion of assets under management and is based in New York, N.Y.  For more information on Court Square, please visit www.courtsquare.com.

For more information, please contact:

The Gores Group                          Platinum Equity                           Data Blue
Kavita Bagga Datta                        Dan Whelan                                   Krystal Herrera
kbagga@gores.com                       dwhelan@platinumequity.com       kherrera@data-blue.com
(310) 824-8055                              (310) 282-9202                              (815) 790-9094

Investor Relations
and Media Contacts:

Mark Barnhill
Partner
+1 310.228.9514E-mail Mark

Dan Whelan
Principal
+1 310.282.9202E-mail Dan

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Nordic Capital acquires digital identity pioneer Signicat

Nordic Capital

APRIL 11 2019
Nordic Capital acquires digital identity pioneer Signicat Image

  • Signicat takes aim at the fast-growing global digital identity market
  • Nordic Capital will accelerate Signicat’s international expansion and strengthen its position as the leading digital identity hub
  • The acquisition reinforces Nordic Capital’s leading position in the Northern European Technology & Payments sectorNordic Capital Fund IX (“Nordic Capital”) today announced the acquisition of Signicat, a high-growth provider of digital identity and signature solutions that operates the leading digital identity hub in the market. Nordic Capital will, in close partnership with the company’s management and existing shareholder Viking Venture, accelerate Signicat’s international expansion and strengthen the company’s market leading position and unique product offering.

    Founded in Trondheim, Norway in 2007, Signicat leads innovation in verified digital identity solutions, reducing risk while providing a smart and intuitive user experience. Its solutions enable companies and institutions, both in regulated and non-regulated industries, to offer efficient and user-friendly advanced online authentication, identification verification and electronic signature solutions.

    Signicat has more than 500 clients, with a stronghold in the financial services sector where the company works with providers such as DNB, Klarna, Rabobank, Santander, Société Générale and Western Union. The company’s solutions are also increasingly adopted across new verticals, being used for instance by blue-chip companies such as BMW, Konica Minolta and Schibsted Media Group. Among Signicat’s largest customers are also several of Nordic Capital’s current and former portfolio companies including Nordax, Nordnet, Intrum and Resurs Bank. In 2018, Signicat generated revenues of approximately NOK 180 million (EUR 19 million), primarily consisting of recurring subscription or transaction based revenues. The company has circa 115 employees across offices in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.

    Signicat was acquired from Secure Identity Holding AS and other shareholders. Viking Venture III AS, Signicat’s other major shareholder, will re-invest all proceeds and continue as a minority owner, together with employee shareholders and with Nordic Capital as the majority owner.

    “As one of the most prominent and experienced investors in the FinTech sector with a long and proven track record of growing businesses, Nordic Capital is the perfect partner to support Signicat’s accelerated international expansion strategy,” said Gunnar Nordseth, CEO and Co-Founder of Signicat. “We live in a digital society where interactions between consumers and institutions are predominantly online and mobile-first. Trust is at a premium, and digital identity is the solution. Over the last 12 years Signicat has built a digital identity platform with all the tools any institution requires to establish mutual trust with its customers. With the ongoing global digital transformation, we are ideally placed to address this burgeoning market opportunity.”

    “Born from the most advanced digital identity market in the world, Signicat is a recognised leader in one of the most exciting and fast-growing technology areas globally acting as a key enabler for the digital economy,” said Fredrik Näslund, Partner at the Advisor to the Nordic Capital Funds. “The company has shown consistent high growth since inception, driven both by a rapidly increasing number of customers and strong volume growth among existing customers. Signicat’s highly experienced management team is well positioned to capitalise on enormous growth opportunities across geographies, customer verticals and products, as the digital transformation of the economy continues. Drawing on Nordic Capital’s significant experience across enterprise software, payment technology, financial services, and from scaling businesses globally, we are enthusiastic about the opportunity to help Signicat to further strengthen its market position and customer offering.”

    “As a leading Nordic growth software investor, we at Viking Venture have backed Signicat to become the market leader within digital identity in the Nordics. Together with Nordic Capital, we will support the company to become a global leader,” said Jostein Vik, Partner, Viking Venture.

    The acquisition of Signicat is the ninth investment by Nordic Capital’s latest fund, Nordic Capital Fund IX with EUR 4.3 billion in committed capital and which closed in May 2018. The acquisition builds on Nordic Capital’s recognised expertise and outstanding track record in the technology sector. Nordic Capital has made 14 Technology & Payment platform investments, including Bambora, Point and Trustly, and more than 40 add-ons since 2001.

    The parties have agreed to not disclose any financial details.

     

    About Signicat

    Based in Trondheim, Norway, and founded in 2007, Signicat operates the largest digital identity hub in the world, offering the only complete identity platform in the market, trusted to reduce the burden of compliance in highly regulated industries. With Signicat, institutions can build and leverage existing customer credentials to connect users, devices and even ‘things’ across channels, services and markets transforming identity into an asset rather than a burden. By ditching manual, paper-based processes and replacing them with digital identity assurance, customer on-boarding is accelerated and access to services is made simple and secure. Signicat has over 500 financial services and other organisations as clients, connects to more than 20 schemes globally and verifies more than 20 million transactions per month. For further information about Signicat, please visit www.signicat.com

    About Nordic Capital

    Nordic Capital is a leading 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 proven track record. Core sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services and in addition Industrial Goods & Services and Consumer, Key regions are the Nordics, Northern Europe and globally for Healthcare. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested EUR 14 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 and vehicles 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

    About Viking Venture

    Viking Venture is a leading Nordic growth software investor with more than NOK 2 billion under management. The fund is headquartered in Trondheim, Norway and is an active minority investor in fast growing software companies with international potential. For more information about Viking Venture, please visit www.vikingventure.com

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