IK Investment Partners acquires EPiServer, a fast growing provider of platforms that drive online engagement

IK Investment Partners (“IK”), a Pan-European private equity firm, announces today that it has agreed to acquire EPiServer Group AB (“EPiServer” or the “Company”) from Amadeus Capital, Martin Bjäringer, Monterro Holdings, Northzone Ventures, Mikael Runhem and family and employees.  EPiServer is a fast growing provider of platforms that drive online engagement with revenues of SEK 192 million in 2009. Financials for the deal were not disclosed.

EPiServer is a Swedish software company offering a very broad range of products and services combining content, commerce, community and communication, which enables organisations to manage and optimise their complete online presence. The platform is distributed by EPiServer’s strong partner network. The Company has experienced rapid expansion with an average annual revenue growth of more than 30 percent over the last five years.

EPiServer has its head office in Sweden, where the research and development department is also based. In addition, the Company is represented in several other countries such as Norway, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Helena Stjernholm, Partner at IK, said: “We are excited to announce the acquisition of EPiServer which has an established track record and a very experienced management team. The Company benefits from a substantial organic market growth supported by structural drivers. Together, we believe that IK and the management team and its highly skilled employees can further drive the organic growth in Sweden as well as internationally, and position the Company to take an active part in the future market consolidation.”

Martin Henricson, CEO of EPiServer, commented: “EPiServer has benefited from constantly having developed its product offering to fast changing market demands and through its strong partner network enabling end customers to transform their online presence to real business results. We look forward to continuing this journey together with IK, benefiting from their proven investment approach and track record of building successful companies while maintaining business continuity. I believe that IK is the ideal partner for EPiServer as we continue to grow the business through our international efforts and new products and services.”

Peter Larsson, Chairman of EPiServer, said: “EPiServer serves a fast growing market for products and services that enable companies globally to create an online presence to engage their customers and thereby drive their business performance. To date, EPiServer, with strong support from its owners, has grown the business significantly both in new geographies and with new products. In the continued growth of the business we consider this an appropriate time to move forward with a new strong owner such as IK.”

This is IK’s sixth investment in the year to date and follows the acquisitions of Snacks International, Hansa, GHD, Colosseum Dental and Agros Nova. 

The transaction is subject to anti-trust approval.

HDR Partners acted as financial advisor, McKinsey as commercial, Roschier as legal, while PwC acted as adviser on accounting, tax and pension issues to IK. SEB Enskilda acted as financial adviser and Gernandt & Danielsson acted as legal adviser to the sellers.

For questions:

IK Investment Partners
Helena Stjernholm, Partner
Tel: +46 678 95 00
Jonas Rodny, Communication Manager
Tel: +46 8 678 95 26

EPiServer
Martin Henricson, CEO
Tel: +46 8 555 827 01