AXA PE backs MBO of Arkadin

Anneken Tappe
04 July 2012

Tweet
Facebook
LinkedIn
Google plus
Send to

AXA Private Equity has bought a 45% stake in French collaboration services business Arkadin.

The transaction includes the full exit of previous investors Apax Partners, Altamir Amboise, Innovation Capital and UFG-Siparex. It leaves AXA PE with a minority stake of 45%.

AXA PE will support Arkadin in its international expansion, particularly in the US and Europe.

The GP started following Arkadin three years ago, considering its growth and international exposure, before approaching founder Olivier Puymorin.

Company
Arkadin is a French provider of collaboration solutions, including audio, internet and video conferencing services. The business was founded by CEO Olivier de Puymorin in 2001. It employs 1,000 people in 29 countries and has strategic partnerships with Microsoft and Cisco-WebEx. In 2011, Arkadin generated annual sales of €159m.

People
Managing director François Jerphagnon led the deal on behalf of AXA PE. He was supported by Marie Arnaud-Battandier and Paul de la Morinière. CEO Eddi Misrahi led Apax's exit from the business, supported by Damien de Bettignies, Thomas Simon and Henry Capelle. Innovation Capital's divestment was led by Franck Noiret, while Antoine Puget led the sale by UFG-Siparex.

Advisers
Equity – Oddo Corporate Finance, Franck Noat, Laurent Bonin (Corporate finance); Latham & Watkins, Olivier Du Mottay, Bertrand Lévy (Legal); UGCC, Sophie Uettwiller, Jennifer Carrel, Charles-Emmanuel Prieur (Legal & social due diligence); Arsène, Mirouna Verban, Brice Picard (Tax); PricewaterhouseCoopers, Philip Dykstra, Romain Engrand (Financial due diligence); Roland Berger, Jean-Charles Ferreri, Jérôme Petit (Strategic & commercial due diligence).
Company – L'LIONE & Associés, Marc O'Neill, Julien Beaufreton (M&A); Gatienne Brault & Associés, Gatienne Brault, Caroline Simic (Legal).
Vendors – Weil Gotshal & Manges, Alexandre Duguay (Legal).