Keensight to buy Sogelink from Naxicap

Sogelink previously backed the business from 2013 to 2016. 

The company was marketed based on an EBITDA of around €20m and the buyout valued Sogelink at 15x EBITDA, amounting to a valuation of circa €330m, Unquote sister publication Debtwire reported. The buyout was backed by around €143m of 5.5-5.75% stretched senior debt from Hayfin, according to the publication.  

The Oaklins-led sale, which kicked off after the summer break, attracted several sponsors, including Carlyle and Eurazeo, Unquote sister publication Mergermarket has reported. 

Keensight declined to comment on the transaction. 

The GP invested in a similar business – France-based Geodesial, a developer and distributor of infrastructure design software – from previous owner Capza in September this year. 

Previous funding 
The deal represents the company's fourth LBO. Initiative & Finance took a 40% stake in Sogelink alongside company founders Ignace Vantorre and Matthieu Ponson in 2009. The deal was valued between €10-20m. Keensight and Fondations Capital then co-acquired Sogelink from Initiative & Finance in 2013, alongside the management team. The GPs sold off the company to Naxicap three years later.

Company 
Founded in 2000 under the brand Dict.fr, Sogelink provides cloud- and mobile-based software that optimises complex administrative processes for construction and infrastructure players.

The business generated a €38m turnover in 2018 and is expecting to exceed €40m in sales this year. 

The company is based in Caluire-et-Cuire. 

People
Keensight – Jean-Michel Beghin (managing partner). 

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