CapMan exits Global Intelligence Alliance Group

Other sellers to exit via M-Brain's acquisition of GIA include GIA's management and individual shareholders.

Kim Nyberg, executive chairman of M-Brain, told unquote" that the deal came about through a longstanding relationship between GIA and M-Brain, which approached the sellers.

There had been a long history of contact between the two businesses as the companies were both founded around the same time, originally based in Helsinki, and shared a number of clients.

The exit comes seven years after CapMan's initial investment in GIA – then Novintel – which saw the GP acquire its stake from 3i and some private individuals.

Over the past seven years, CapMan has grown the company through a series of acquisitions.

CapMan stated that the CapMan Equity VII A and CapMan Equity Sweden KB funds moved closer to carry following the transaction.

Previous funding
The Finnish GP took a 54% stake in GIA in April 2007, buying out individual investors and 3i for an undisclosed amount. It has since pursued an acquisitive growth strategy within the sector.

Company
Founded in 1995, GIA is a strategic market intelligence and advisory group. The company employs 145 people in 11 offices around the world, including China, the US, Canada, the UK, Germany and Brasil.

GIA helps companies set up and develop market intelligence programmes and provides strategic research, analysis and advisory services to aid decision-making.

The Helsinki-based company reported revenues of approximately €14.2m in 2013.

People
Vesa Walldén led the deal for CapMan. Markko Vaarnas is the CEO and co-founder of GIA. Kim Nyberg is the executive chairman of M-Brain.

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