Audensiel in exclusive negotiations to bring Sagard into its capital

On June 22th 2022, Nicolas Pacault, his associates and Capza announce that they are in exclusive negotiations with Sagard to bring them into the capital of Audensiel, a leading multi-specialist in digital transformation. Created in 2013, Audensiel is a European leader in digital transformation and a strategic partner of major public and private French and international groups. The company has developed a complete offer structured around 6 areas of expertise (Data / AI, Cybersecurity, Cloud & DevOps, Digital, Business Consulting and IoT) for a few targeted sectors (Banking & Finance, Defense, Healthcare, Insurance, Transport & Industry, Luxury and Retail, Media & Services).

Audensiel provides its customers with the services of its nearly 1,000 people from its 16 locations in France and Europe. In 2022, the company will achieve a turnover of more than 100 million euros, with an historical average annual growth of more than 30%.

Sagard's investment in Audensiel[1] would provide the management team, while retaining control, with the financial and human resources it needs to pursue its development in France and accelerate its international expansion. This development will be achieved through strong organic growth coupled with a powerful external growth engine. Initiated over the last three years, Audensiel has already demonstrated its ability to acquire and integrate highly specialized companies to complete its geographical network and its business or sector expertise.

Nicolas Pacault, President of Audensiel, commented: “Audensiel's teams have the ambition to become a key player in digital transformation in cutting-edge specialties. Our past performance, alongside Capza, has been based on very solid growth and the association with Sagard should enable us to accelerate our development outside of France, particularly in Europe and North America. The various discussions we've had with Sagard’s team show that we share common entrepreneurial values that will enable us to pursue our ambitions with the support of a particularly agile sparring partner.”

Antoine Ernoult‐Dairaine and Maxime Baudry, Partners at Sagard, added: "We are delighted to support Nicolas Pacault and his teams in the next phase of Audensiel's development. With the support of Capza, Nicolas Pacault and his partners have achieved a remarkable journey and created a highly successful company, addressing the most critical digital needs of its clients, with a DNA combining agility, autonomy and innovation. A large part of Audensiel's success is indeed attributable to the group's original organization and its very strong corporate.

Maxence Radix, Managing Partner at Capza, concluded: "We are pleased to have supported Nicolas Pacault and his teams in accelerating the growth of the Group. We are renewing our support by reinvesting in this transaction. We are convinced that Audensiel has all the potential to become a major player in digital transformation in Europe.”

[1] Sagard's entry into the capital remains subject to employee information procedures and the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities

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About Audensiel

Audensiel is a digital transformation, business and technology consulting firm with 960 employees and 16 offices. It has a multi-sector approach in France and abroad in the following areas: Digital, Consulting, Data/IA, Cybersecurity, Cloud & DevOps and IoT. With a culture rooted in innovation and an agile organisation, Audensiel stands out for its differentiating positioning at the crossroads of technology and digital consulting. Audensiel has also become a company with a mission: "to facilitate access to digital uses and professions in order to contribute to a fairer and more inclusive society”.

About Sagard

Sagard is an investment fund that provides equity capital to support the development of mid-sized companies led by ambitious management teams. Founded in 2003 with the support of the Desmarais family, Sagard’s investor base comprises leading industrial families as well as blue chip institutional investors. Since its inception, Sagard and its team of 11 professionals have realized 40 investments. Audensiel will be the sixth investment of Sagard 4.

www.sagard.eu

The Sagard team comprises Antoine Ernoult-Dairaine, Maxime Baudry, Nicolas Bonnard and Nasser Bounjou.

About Capza

Created in 2004, CAPZA[1] is an established European Private Equity and Private Debt investment platform focused on small and mid-cap companies.

With €7bn in assets under management[2], CAPZA places its experience and passion for developing businesses at the service of investors in Europe and worldwide with its platform of 6 complementary areas of expertise: Growth Tech, Flex Equity, Flex Equity Mid-Market, Transition[3], Private Debt and Artemid[4].

CAPZA offers financing solutions to small and mid-cap companies at every stage of their development. Its unique platform enables CAPZA to support companies over the long term by offering them scalable financing solutions and assistance with sustainable development issues. As a generalist, CAPZA supports companies in the technology, health and business services sectors in particular.

CAPZA Group has more than 90 employees based in Paris, Munich, Madrid, Milan and Amsterdam[5].

More informations : www.capza.co

[1] Atalante (commercial name CAPZA).

[2] including assets managed by a third party and advised by Artemid SAS. Based on valuations as of 31/03/2022 and taking into account funds raised until 31/05/2022.

[3] The funds in the CAPZA Transition range are managed by the asset management company CAPZA and advised by CAPZA Transition SAS, which has financial investment advisor status (CIF in France), is registered under the Orias under number 18001601 since 23/03/2018.

[4] The funds of the Artemid range are managed by both a third party and by the asset management company CAPZA and advised by Artemid SAS, which is a subsidiary of CAPZA and Amiral Gestion and has financial investment advisor status (CIF in France). Artemid SAS is registered by the Orias under the number 14003497 since 28/05/2014.

[5] Subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities.