houzy and myky join forces under Swiss Digital Home AG
Under the umbrella of the newly founded Swiss Digital Home AG, the two PropTech companies houzy and myky are jointly developing the market-leading platform for private home ownership in Switzerland. In future, the platform will support homeowners throughout the entire lifecycle of their property, helping them to make informed decisions and to maintain and enhance the value of their home in the long term.
The new platform combines the complementary strengths of houzy and myky: with around 3.5 million users per year and 320,000 registered residential properties, as well as a broad network of tradespeople, banks, insurance companies and estate agents, it creates a comprehensive, wide-reaching platform dedicated to private home ownership in Switzerland.
“Our aim is to make it easier for property owners to manage their properties, make better decisions about their future, and maintain and enhance their value in the long term,” says Tiziano Lenoci, CEO-designate of Swiss Digital Home AG.
Shareholders include the Helvetia Baloise Group, the Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB), Gebäudeversicherung Bern (GVB) and a further 17 cantonal banks (represented by NNH Holding AG).
Project Scribe – Signable
We’re pleased to have acted as lead adviser to software firm, Signable, the eSignature software platform, as it secured investment from private equity investor, BGF, to support new product development and its ongoing growth strategy.
Bristol-based Signable was founded by Olly Culverhouse as an internal solution for his web design business. In 2012, the business pivoted to focus exclusively on its core eSignature platform and today, Signable’s secure, compliant software platform enables businesses to manage electronic signatures and digital workflows. It is trusted by organisations across a range of sectors and geographies, including the likes of Allegiant, Smart Pension, and Drewery Property Consultants, alongside well-known brands such as Aardman and Krispy Kreme.
Our Corporate Finance team acted as lead advisers to Signable on the new investment. We worked closely with the management team to assess its options for funding, resulting in a decision to progress exclusively with BGF because of its strong strategic fit. We then led on the commercial negotiations, before managing the due diligence process and coordinating advisers to complete the transaction.
BGF’s investment will now support Signable’s next phase of growth, strengthening its capabilities and supporting new product development to provide increasingly advanced eSignature solutions.
Project Apex – Kurve Kiosks
We’re pleased to have supported Kurve, a leading provider of dynamic self‑service technology for the hospitality sector, on its sale to ClearCourse, a fast‑growing group of integrated software and payments businesses.
Founded six years ago, Kurve designs and develops kiosk and digital ordering solutions that help hospitality operators accelerate service, enhance brand values, reduce operating costs, improve customer loyalty and maximise long‑term revenues. The business works closely with its customers to understand their commercial objectives and deliver tailored, high‑performance technology that increases efficiency and average transaction values. Over this period, Kurve has grown rapidly and established itself as a trusted partner to operators across the UK.
It has now been acquired by ClearCourse, a strategic partner that will support Kurve’s continued expansion and help drive the next phase of its impressive growth trajectory.
Our Corporate Finance team was appointed by the shareholders of Kurve to explore a sale of the Group. We developed bespoke marketing materials to articulate Kurve’s strengths, led negotiations and co‑ordinated the financial due diligence and managed the transaction through to completion.
The deal will allow Kurve to benefit from ClearCourse’s scale, resources and sector expertise, enabling the Group to accelerate its growth and broaden its reach. ClearCourse will also gain a high‑growth platform in the fast‑evolving self‑service and hospitality technology market.
Optimile acquired by DKV Mobility
German-origin DKV Mobility acquires Optimile, a Ghent-based provider of e-mobility platforms and software solutions for EV charging management. Through this transaction, DKV Mobility further expands its platform business and strengthens its position in the European e-mobility market. The shares were acquired from BNP Paribas Fortis and AG Insurance.
Joining DKV Mobility gives Optimile access to a broader European roaming network, additional technological capabilities and resources to accelerate the further development of its platform. Optimile retains its brand, team and headquarters in Ghent.
VDP acted as exclusive advisor to the shareholders of Optimile.
Sell-side pitch – UK based provider of proprietary inventory management software and hardware solutions.
We have an opportunity to pitch for the sale mandate of a UK based provider of proprietary inventory management software and hardware solutions.
ARR is <£5m.
Project Lipari – K3 Technology Group
FRP Corporate Finance’s team has advised K3 Business Technology Group (K3) on the £36 million sale of one of its divisions, NexSys Solutions, to global ERP software provider SYSPRO.
NexSys is a specialist provider of digital manufacturing and distribution software in the UK. The acquisition builds on a long and successful partnership between SYSPRO and NexSys, during which NexSys established itself as a trusted provider of digital solutions to manufacturing and distribution companies across the UK.
The carve-out acquisition is a key milestone for SYSPRO’s strategy to expand its global footprint by strengthening its presence in the UK and expanding its reach across Europe. It will also enable SYSPRO, which is backed by global private equity firm, Advent International, to expand its highly regarded digital manufacturing suite with new products and capabilities.
As the exclusive sell-side provider, our Corporate Finance team, led by Partner James Mines and Senior Manager Chris Haidar, provided end-to-end support to K3, helping prepare NexSys for sale and leading on the negotiation of terms and financial due diligence and through to a successful conclusion.
Project Kestrel – ISN Solutions
FRP Corporate Finance supports secure network consultancy and managed services provider on sale to international tech firm
Our Corporate Finance team advised the shareholders of secure network consultancy and managed services provider, Intuitive Systems & Networks (ISN), on its sale to an international technology services firm, Conscia.
ISN is a secure network consultancy and managed services provider offering the technology and solutions to help businesses choose, implement and maintain their business goals. ISN was established in 2008 and represents over 15 years of enterprise-level experience and success in blue chip organizations. This is in addition to ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 accreditations and best of breed vendors and working across the hospitality, healthcare, emergency services and the private sectors.
Our Corporate Finance team acted as the exclusive sell side advisers to ISN, led by Partner James Mines and supported by Senior Managers Nick Wright, Matthew Nolan and Madhavi Morjaria. Our team helped prepare the business for sale, identifying strategic acquirers, before selecting Danish tech firm Conscia as the preferred buyer, and managing the process to reach a successful completion.
The deal will allow Conscia, which is backed by private equity investor Nordic Capital, to bolster Conscia’s presence in the UK, especially in the commercial sector, increase its capabilities and coverage in the managed services space, and strengthen its cybersecurity offering having acquired Oxford based ITGL last year.
Pitch: Inflight Entertainment Hardware Leasing
The business supplies hardware to airlines on an operating lease basis for inflight entertainment connectivity.
Most of its current deployment is APAC.
Current Revenue is c. £2.5m – likely to be a high multiple from high recurring revenue percentage
PMC
Technology services provider, PMC, has secured investment from BGF, in a deal supported by our Corporate Finance team.
Founded in 2001, PMC provides consulting, professional services, digital engineering and managed services to over 120 retail, commerce and technology customers across 24 countries. The business employs 500 people across its offices in the UK and India and has a strong a loyal customer base with brands including WHSmith, National Express, Primark, Crew Clothing and World Duty Free.
It has now secured an investment from BGF. The investment will support PMC’s efforts to expand its portfolio of digital engineering and managed services globally. This includes creating a new global centre of excellence in Vadodara, India, which will give PMC the capacity to double the size of its global workforce.
Our Corporate Finance team were appointed by PMC as lead advisers on the deal. We supported at all stages of the deal, which included supporting the team through negotiations, which led to securing the minority investment with BGF.
Project Ascensus
Service: B2B Marketing Agency
Primary Industry: Public Relations (reputational) into engineering, industrials and manufacturing sector predominantly
Buyside looking for targets between £0.5m – £3.5m EBITDA in PR, CRM & marketing data, data management/hygiene, Data services for client targeting and market intelligence.