Done Deals: Sofico / Apheon
Ergon Capital (currently Apheon) enters into share capital of Sofico
The Ghent software company SOFICO markets leading and innovative software worldwide for car financing, car leasing, fleet and mobility management. SOFICO finds a financial partner in Ergon Capital (current Apheon) through a minority share to guide its growth strategy.
Gémar Hompes, Managing Director of Sofico: “ Building on particularly successful years, with record figures in 2019, we have formulated a strategy on this line to continue in the long term. As a private company, Sofico has grown completely autonomously and has always focused on long-term objectives. To preserve our identity, we wanted to work with a financially solid and stable partner willing to take a minority position, supporting our long-term vision for the company, believes in sustainable value creation and shares our DNA and entrepreneurial spirit."
“ In Ergon Capital we have found a partner that thicks all boxes. ” says Hompes.
Omnicap acted as advisor to the sellers.
About Sofico
Sofico is the world’s leading supplier of mission critical software solutions for automotive finance, leasing, fleet and mobility management companies and its software is used by a broad range of renowned automotive mobility and financial services companies all over the world. Sofico was founded in 1988 in Ghent, Belgium and has over 30 years’ experience and business expertise in the industry. It is privately owned, independent and currently employs 340 people, spread over 8 offices across the globe. The company has implemented its systems in about 30 different countries worldwide.
About Ergon (currently Apheon)
Ergon is a mid-market investment company with in excess of €1.0 billion of assets under management from select European institutional investors and family offices, including Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, through its fully owned subsidiary Sienna Capital, as cornerstone investor. Ergon is a disciplined and discreet value investor, which provides “patient and friendly capital” to entrepreneurs and managers, who need capital, industrial or technological solutions to accelerate the development of their companies. Ergon makes equity investments in leading companies with a sustainable competitive position in attractive niche markets located in the Benelux, France, Germany, Italy and Iberia. Ergon is advised by Ergon Capital Advisors which has offices in Brussels, Madrid, Milan, Munich and Paris. Since its inception in 2005, over successive investment programs, Ergon has raised approximately €1.9 billion, invested in 26 companies (of which 9 in the Benelux, 3 in France, 3 in Germany, 8 in Italy and 3 in Spain) and completed 49 add-on acquisitions for a total aggregate transaction value in excess of €4.0 billion. Ergon’s current portfolio consists of 13 companies across its target sectors.