Gimv, together with all other shareholders, is selling its stake in Stuttgart-based software firm thinkstep AG (www.thinkstep.com) to US software provider Sphera Solutions. Thanks to the long-term support of all investors, thinkstep has grown substantially and successfully transformed its business model into a software-as-a-service solution (SaaS).

Headquartered in Leinfelden-Echterdingen near Stuttgart, thinkstep was founded in 1991 as a provider of software and consulting services supporting companies globally in sustainability management and reducing their environmental footprint. In the last few years, thinkstep has continuously expanded its impressive customer base and now serves over 2,000 clients in 20 industries, including a large number of Fortune 500 companies in Germany and around the world.

thinkstep AG operates in three fields. Corporate Sustainability introduces and implements sustainability processes, such as enterprise-wide energy management, corporate social responsibility management and active resource optimization. Product Sustainability helps clients take account of environmental issues early in the design stage in order to fully integrate adequate measures into product management and production processes. thinkstep’s Product Compliance solution identifies and mitigates compliance and reputation risks at an early stage.

Gimv first invested in thinkstep in 2010, acquiring a minority stake alongside Next47 with the aim to provide capital, know-how and connections to help the firm expand globally, strengthen its operations, and switching from a licence-based model to SaaS. Over time, Gimv and Next47 gradually increased their investment while some of the founders remained on board as minority shareholders. In this way, thinkstep has expanded to become a world-leading software provider in enterprise sustainability and compliance solutions. The exit of the current shareholders and the planned integration of the business into the operations of Sphera marks the next step in the company’s successful development.

Dr. Sven Oleownik, Partner and Head of Germany at Gimv, says, “Over the past few years, thinkstep has undergone a remarkable transformation and fundamentally converted its business model. Global activity and technological development have been driven forward, all on the back of an extremely loyal customer base. Rising expectations among both investors and consumers for companies to do business in an ethical and environmentally conscious way result in a highly attractive and rapidly expanding market for sustainability solutions. thinkstep is therefore ideally positioned for the future and will continue to extend its market leadership under its new owners.”

Lisa Hengerer, Associate at Gimv’s Smart Industries platform in Munich, adds: “thinkstep has been another success within the software segment of Gimv’s Smart Industries platform. This sale to a global industrial player from the US is an excellent example how Gimv Smart Industries supports its portfolio companies in their strategic development and on their growth path to become attractive for an international renowned industrial player like Sphera Solutions.”

This exit has no major impact on the Net Asset Value of Gimv as of 31 March 2019. The transaction is subject to the usual conditions, including approval by the competition authorities. No further financial details on this transaction are being published.

• EQT VIII acquires Cast & Crew, a leading provider of software and services to the entertainment industry, covering payroll & human resources, accounting & financial management and workflow & productivity

• Cast & Crew’s solutions simplify and automate complex processes for companies and productions in the film, television, digital streaming, commercial and live events markets
• EQT will support Cast & Crew’s impressive growth trajectory by leveraging its operational and financial resources, including deep sector expertise within TMT and Services and its global network of Industrial Advisors

The EQT VIII fund (“EQT” or “EQT VIII”) today announced that it has agreed to acquire Cast & Crew Entertainment Services (the “Company”), a leading technology provider of software and services to the entertainment production industry, from global technology investing leader Silver Lake.

Founded in 1976 and based in Burbank, California, Cast & Crew provides solutions that simplify and automate complex processes for companies and productions in the entertainment industry. Its software products and services assist in the areas of payroll & human resources, accounting & financial and workflow & productivity. The Company has a 40-year track record of supporting its customers’ creative pursuits. Cast & Crew’s software products and services have supported the production of some of the highest-grossing films and music tours of all time, Emmy award-winning television and digital streaming programs, commercials for many of the most well-known brands, Tony award-winning Broadway shows, major sports and live event venues and many of the most highly attended music festivals.

EQT will support Cast & Crew in its next phase of development as the Company focuses on accelerating product and service expansion in current and new verticals, while continuing to provide best-in-class service to its customers. Moreover, EQT will leverage its local European presence and extensive Industrial Advisor Network to accelerate the Company’s international expansion, initially focused in Europe.

Kasper Knokgaard, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT VIII comments: “We have been very impressed with the Company’s performance and vision for continued transformation in the entertainment industry. We are delighted to have the opportunity to help shape the next phase of growth for Cast & Crew, together with an exceptionally talented group of people being led by CEO Eric Belcher and President John Berkley — supported by an outstanding executive management team. Cast & Crew will be able to leverage the entire EQT platform, including our deep sector expertise and network of Industrial Advisors, to capitalize on the growth opportunities in current and untapped market segments.”

Eric Belcher, CEO of Cast & Crew, continues: “We are all proud of what Cast & Crew has achieved in recent years under Silver Lake’s stewardship as our majority shareholder. We have built a very strong foundation for the future across software products, value-added services and a very strong employee base focused on customer service and success. We are delighted to partner with EQT and leverage its international presence and deep sector expertise within media, technology and services as we move through the next phase of our continued growth.”

Joe Osnoss and Lee Wittlinger, Managing Directors at Silver Lake, add: ”We thank Cast & Crew’s outstanding management team and employees for their partnership during a period characterized by impressive growth, accelerating technology innovation and expansion into new entertainment end markets. We hope and expect that the company will achieve continued success under EQT’s ownership.”

Morten Hummelmose, Chairman of EQT Partners Inc. and Head of EQT Equity U.S., concludes: “This is an important transaction for EQT’s large buyout business, as it represents our first transaction in the U.S. in the TMT and Services sectors. EQT has a long and successful track record of developing technology companies, and we are confident this will be a great partnership that will benefit Cast & Crew and all of its stakeholders.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC., Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Aon served as advisors to EQT VIII. Moelis & Company LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as lead financial advisors to Cast & Crew. Cast & Crew was also advised by J.P. Morgan. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as legal advisor.

Contacts
Kasper Knokgaard, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT VIII, +1 917 603 4798
US inquiries:

Stephanie Greengarten, +1 646 687 6810, stephanie.greengarten@eqtpartners.com

Michael Geczi, +1 818 525 3301, michael.geczi@castandcrew.com

Patricia Graue, +1 212 333 3810, silverlake@brunswickgroup.com

International inquiries: EQT Press Office, +46 8 506 55 334, press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT
EQT is a leading investment firm with approximately EUR 50 billion in raised capital across 28 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US 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 Cast & Crew
Cast & Crew provides payroll and human resources, accounting and financial, and workflow and productivity software and services to the entertainment industry. Cast & Crew’s services include payroll processing, residuals processing, workers’ compensation services, labor relations, and production incentives management and financing. Cast & Crew’s PSL production accounting software serves the needs of the film, television and digital media industries. The company was founded in 1976, and its corporate headquarters are in Burbank, California.

More info: www.castandcrew.com

About Silver Lake
Silver Lake is the global leader in technology investing, with about $45.5 billion in combined assets under management and committed capital and a team of approximately 100 investment and value creation professionals located in Silicon Valley, New York, London, and Hong Kong. Silver Lake’s portfolio of investments collectively generates more than $225 billion of revenue annually and employs more than 390,000 people globally.

More info: www.silverlake.com

• EQT VIII to acquire SUSE, a leading global provider of open source infrastructure software for enterprises

• EQT VIII is partnering with CEO Nils Brauckmann and his team to support SUSE’s next period of growth and innovation, and to strengthen its position as leading open source player both organically and through add-on acquisitions

• SUSE to further build its brand and unique corporate culture as a stand-alone business

The EQT VIII fund (“EQT” or “EQT VIII”) has agreed to acquire SUSE, a leading global provider of open source infrastructure software for large enterprises, from the global infrastructure software business Micro Focus International plc (“Micro Focus”) for an enterprise value of USD 2.535 billion. The transaction is subject to Micro Focus shareholder and customary regulatory approvals.

Founded in 1992, SUSE is the world’s first provider of an enterprise-grade open source Linux operating system. With sales of USD 320 million in the 12 months ended October 31, 2017 and approximately 1,400 employees worldwide, SUSE is today a market leader in enterprise-grade, open source software-defined infrastructure and application delivery solutions for on premise and cloud-based workloads. During the ownership of Micro Focus, SUSE has operated as a semi-independent business under the leadership of Nils Brauckmann, executing on a clearly defined growth charter. SUSE has also successfully expanded its product portfolio, including solutions for cloud and storage as well as container and application delivery technology.

EQT VIII will support SUSE’s next period of growth and innovation as an independent company. The strategy includes strengthening its position as a leading open source player, both organically and through add-on acquisitions, leveraging EQT’s long-term experience in the software space. Priorities will be to further build SUSE’s public cloud business and to expand its next-generation product offerings in order to strengthen SUSE as a leading provider commercializing open source for enterprise customers.

“Today is an exciting day in SUSE’s history. By partnering with EQT, we will become a fully independent business,” said Nils Brauckmann, CEO of SUSE. “The next chapter in SUSE’s development will continue, and even accelerate, the momentum generated over the last years. Together with EQT, we will benefit both from further investment opportunities and having the continuity of a leadership team focused on securing long-term profitable growth combined with a sharp focus on customer and partner success. The current leadership team has managed SUSE through a period of significant growth and now, with continued investment in technology innovation and go to market capability, will further develop SUSE’s momentum going forward.”

Johannes Reichel, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT VIII, adds: “We are excited to partner with SUSE’s management in this attractive growth investment opportunity. We were impressed by the business’ strong performance over the last years as well as by its strong culture and heritage as a pioneer in the open source space. These characteristics correspond well to EQT’s DNA of supporting and building strong and resilient companies, and driving growth. We look forward to entering the next period of growth and innovation together with SUSE.”

The transaction is subject to approval from Micro Focus shareholders and other relevant authorities.

Jefferies acted as lead financial advisor and Arma Partners acted as financial advisor to EQT VIII. Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal advisors to EQT VIII.

Contacts
Johannes Reichel, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT VIII, +49 89 255 49 904
EQT Press office, +46 8 506 55 334

About SUSE
SUSE, a pioneer in open source software, provides reliable, software-defined infrastructure and application delivery solutions that give enterprises greater control and flexibility. More than 25 years of engineering excellence, exceptional service and an unrivaled partner ecosystem power the products and support that help our customers manage complexity, reduce cost, and confidently deliver mission-critical services. The lasting relationships we build allow us to adapt and deliver the smarter innovation they need to succeed – today and tomorrow.

More info: www.suse.com

About EQT
EQT is a leading investment firm with approximately EUR 50 billion in raised capital across 27 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US 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