]init[ wins Gilde Buy Out Partners as a further shareholder in addition to EMERAM Capital Partners

Strategic power for further expansion in national and international markets strengthened

]init[ AG für digitale Kommunikation strengthens its shareholder base with Gilde Buy Out Partners. Funds advised by Gilde Buy Out Partners (“Gilde”) have agreed to purchase a minority stake  (signing). Funds advised by EMERAM Capital Partners (“EMERAM”) will maintain their shares in ]init[ at the same level as Gilde, once the partial sale is completed. Dirk Stocksmeier, founder and chairman of the supervisory board, as well as the management, remain further shareholders of the Berlin-based digital company.

The goal of the newly-formed group of shareholders is to expedite ]init[‘s growth trend further. Jointly, strategic opportunities shall be seized, the company’s international focus expanded and acquisitions realised.

Founded in 1995, ]init[ AG für digitale Kommunikation is considered one of the leading project service providers in the field of digital transformation. The company currently consists of six locations with a total of 800 employees. Its numerous clients include both the public sector and well-known industrial companies.

Matthias Wilcken, Partner at Gilde:

“]init[ has a strong market position in Germany and achieves impressive growth rates. We are looking to expand on this. Together, we want to develop the company strategically. We see considerable opportunities both organically and inorganically. ]init[ will benefit significantly from our international orientation, our long-standing experience as well as our financial strength.”

Dirk Stocksmeier, founder and chairman of the supervisory board of ]init[:

“With the newly-formed shareholder group, we are leading ]init[ into a new phase of corporate development. We are increasing expertise, technology portfolio, network and financial scope. ]init[ is looking forward to implementing our ambitious growth strategy, which will lead us back into international markets in the future – benefiting our clients and employees alike.”

Dr. Christian Näther, Managing Partner of EMERAM Capital Partners:

“In our role as business development partner, we have supported ]init[ in their successful growth path. This enabled ]init[ to further boost its positioning as a full-service digitisation provider for the public sector, while at the same time acquiring well-known customers in the industry. The further growth in ]init[‘s strength since EMERAM’s share acquisition in 2019 is reflected, among other things, in the significant increase in average project volumes and sales per employee. We now intend to continue this success story together with Gilde Buy Out Partners as a renowned, pan-European shareholder.”

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the transaction. The transaction is subject to standard conditions, including approval by the competition authorities. The transaction is expected to close in January 2022. EMERAM was advised by GCA Altium (M&A), Noerr (Legal, Tax), Strategy& (Commercial), and PwC (Financial), Gilde by Clifford Chance (Legal), Deloitte (Tax, Financial), and Boston Consulting Group (Commercial), and Founders and Management by Taylor Wessing (Legal, Tax) and Drake Star Partners (M&A). Shearman & Sterling was mandated on behalf of all shareholders (legal debt financing advisor).

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