Abénex invests in Europa Organisation

The deal marks the first time since its foundation that Europa Organisation – owned by the Doncieux family – is opening its capital to external investors.

With an existing subsidiary in Singapore, the company will aim to continue its expansion by way of external acquisitions and will also launch new conferences.

The GP is currently raising commitments for its fifth buyout fund, Abénex V, which launched with a target of €400m in 2014. The mid-market vehicle is aiming to invest €15-60m in 10-12 French companies operating across various sectors with enterprise values of €50-300m.

The current transaction reportedly did not include any debt.

Company
Launched in 1987, Europa Organisation hosts congresses and conferences for the scientific and healthcare sectors. Based in Toulouse, the company has a headcount of 180 and generated revenues of €64m last year.

According to a statement, Europa organises around 50 gatherings a year in France and abroad, with guestlists of between 500-12,000, depending on the event. With three France-based agencies in Toulouse, Paris and Nice, the entity also operates a subsidiary in Singapore, called Europa Organisation Asia.

People
Abénex Capital – Patrice Verrier (managing partner); Johann Dupont (director); Matthieu Balaÿ (associate). 

Advisers
Equity – PwC, Martin Naquet-Radiguet, Pierre-Mickhael Voyer (financial due diligence); Fairway, Pierre-Emmanuel Fonteilles, Alix Pariente (legal).
Vendor – Lazard, Charles Andrez, Kevin Le Pelvé (corporate finance); Racine, Mélanie Coiraton-Mavré, Fabrice Rymarz, Frédérique Chaput (legal); Eight Advisory, Stéphane Vanbergue, Maxime Guichot-Pérère (legal).

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• Topics
• Expansion
• Industrials
• France
• France
• Abénex Capital