Ekkio backs Thoiry buyout

The founding La Panouse family will keep control of the real estate, while also maintaining a stake in the operating company alongside historical backers – these are understood to comprise BNP Paribas Développement and IDF Capital, which injected €3m of capital in the business in 2011.

Ekkio currently invests from its third fund. Having closed on €110m in January 2015, the vehicle typically seeks €5-15m investments in SMEs. At the time of the GP's most recent deal prior to Thoiry – when it backed contract sterilisation services provider Sterience in early July – approximately half the fund's capital had been deployed.

Thoiry stated it would use the fresh funds to develop its sites by housing additional animals and enhance its displays.

Company
Established in 1968, Groupe Thoiry operates four parks in addition to the historical Thoiry zoo, which is located near Paris. All locations allow visitors to see wildlife in a safari-like setting. The group is understood to be generating revenues of around €15m.

People
Nicolas Beaugendre worked on the deal on behalf of Ekkio. Paul de La Panouse co-founded Thoiry.

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