Keensight sells LinkByNet to Accenture
Keensight Capital is selling its minority stake in French cloud IT service LinkByNet to Accenture.
In addition to the minority stake owned by Keensight, Accenture will also acquire the rest of the company's shares.
The sale ends a five-year holding period for Keensight, which invested €50m in LinkByNet in exchange for a minority stake in the company.
Under Keensight's ownership, LinkByNet doubled in size through organic growth, especially in Asia, and via an external acquisition strategy. The company completed five add-ons: Treeptik in 2017, Securiview in 2018, and Objectif Libre, Data Essential and Wise Partners in 2019.
Accenture is a global professional services company headquartered in Ireland and listed on the NYSE. The firm offers strategy, consulting, interactive, technology and operations services with a focus on digital, cloud and security. It employs 506,000 staff and has clients in more than 120 countries. Accenture generated revenues of $44bn and operating income of $6.5bn in 2020.
With the acquisition of LinkByNet, the firm expects to enhance the global capabilities of its Accenture Cloud First division, with LinkByNet contributing deep cloud and engineering specialisation, managed services, sophisticated technology tools and cybersecurity intelligence.
Company
Founded in 2000 and based in Saint-Denis, LinkByNet advises companies on cloud infrastructure to promote their digital transformation, cybersecurity tools and optimisation of data.
The business employs 900 staff across its offices located in France, Belgium, Canada, China, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Singapore and Vietnam.
LinkByNet generated revenues of around €100m in 2020.
People
Keensight Capital – Philippe Crochet (managing partner).
Accenture – Karthik Narain (global lead, Accenture Cloud First); Olivier Girard (market unit lead for Accenture France & Benelux).
LinkByNet – Patrick Aisenberg, Stéphane Aisenberg (founders).
Advisers
Company – Arma Partners (corporate finance).
More on Exits
Partners Group to release IMs for Civica sale in mid-September
Sponsor acquired the public software group in July 2017 via the same-year vintage Partners Group Global Value 2017
Ares Management handed keys to two-thirds of UK sponsor’s portfolio
Lender provided GBP 500m for three of the GP's deals between 2016 and 2019, Debtwire reported
Actera Group explores strategic options for Celebi Ground Handling
Several investors placed bids for the company in 2022 but mismatch in pricing didn't lead to a deal
Main Capital’s Assessio to be sold to Pollen Street
Recruitment software company tripled in revenue under Main Capital’s ownership
Latest News
Stonehage Fleming raises USD 130m for largest fund to date, eyes 2024 programme
Multi-family office has seen strong appetite, with investor base growing since 2016 to more than 90 family offices, Meiping Yap told Unquote
Permira to take Ergomed private for GBP 703m
Sponsor deploys Permira VIII to ride new wave of take-privates; Blackstone commits GBP 200m in financing for UK-based CRO
Partners Group to release IMs for Civica sale in mid-September
Sponsor acquired the public software group in July 2017 via the same-year vintage Partners Group Global Value 2017
Change of mind: Sponsors take to de-listing their own assets
EQT and Cinven seen as bellweather for funds to reassess options for listed assets trading underwater