The newly formed ace Group (Advanced Clean Energy Group) brings together three industry champions, ADLER Smart Solutions, HMB, and Charge Construct, to emerge as the largest German full-service partner for long-term oriented customers in the field of renewable energies. The consolidation of expertise under the umbrella of the new holding marks the next chapter in the success story of the three companies and Munich-based growth investor EMERAM.

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The Background
Hamburg-based ace Group is poised to become the B2B market leader in consulting, planning, and realization of photovoltaic systems, charging infrastructure, and battery storage. Major clients include EnBW, Shell, IONITY, Vattenfall, and Garbe. At its headquarters in Hamburg, the new corporate group consolidates overarching functions such as administration, finance, and marketing.

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The Deal
The acquisition of Ingolstadt-based project developer Charge Construct GmbH, specializing in the establishment of fast-charging infrastructure, represents a significant achievement for ace Group: The startup founded in 2020 by Adrian Zierer and Tim Schwenk, based in Ingolstadt, provides all services along the e-mobility value chain, from site acquisition to planning, project management, construction, installation, and operation. Since 2020, Charge Construct has installed over 1,100 charging points at more than 220 locations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Major customers include EnBW, IONITY, Citywatt, and Numbat. Tim Schwenk continues to lead Charge Construct under the umbrella of ace Group, with Adrian Zierer remaining with the group as an advisor.

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In December, Tajo Adler and private equity partner EMERAM, one of the leading independent investment companies for medium-sized enterprises, successfully acquired HMB GmbH, based in Meppen, Lower Saxony, for ace Group. HMB is a pioneer in the development of large solar parks, battery storage, and truck charging infrastructure with capacities exceeding one megawatt-hour.

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The ace Group (Advanced Clean Energy Group) is a Hamburg-based company founded to consolidate innovative full-service providers of renewable energy solutions for the B2B market. Currently, ADLER Smart Solutions, HMB, and Charge Construct collaborate under the growing group. ace Group targets large enterprises in the DACH region and the Netherlands. The group is among the largest providers of planning, consulting, and implementation of photovoltaic systems, fast-charging infrastructure, and solar power storage.

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Tajo Adler, CEO of ace Group and founder of ADLER Smart Solutions, states: "With the ace Group, we are launching the strongest B2B corporate group for complex full-service solutions in the field of renewable energies. With this holding, we bring together the best of three innovative success companies. We stand as a top specialist to the business community, providing planning and implementation of solar power generation, storage, and charging facilities with innovative ideas, customized concepts, and powerful execution. Thanks to a tremendous demand for clean energy, ace Group operates in one of the largest growth markets overall."

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Tim Schwenk, Founder and CEO of Charge Construct, comments: "Charge Construct consolidates extensive expertise and know-how within the ace Group in the field of high-power charging (HPC) park construction. With ace Group and EMERAM, we have found partners enabling us to continue operating independently in the market while supporting our growth trajectory. Together with ADLER Smart Solutions and HMB, we are now even more powerful, covering the entire country for our customers."

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Matthias Obermeyr, Partner at EMERAM, states: "With ace Group, we are implementing our strategy to offer the market maximum expertise under the umbrella of a powerful holding, integrating the competence of all group companies seamlessly. This translates to smart full-service offerings for our customers, focusing on the three pillars of PV systems, charging infrastructure, and battery storage. This is the consistent next step for ace Group to become one of the largest players in the field of renewable energies in the European market. The addition of Charge Construct to ace Group marks a significant milestone on our journey. In addition to dynamic organic growth, ace Group aims for further expansion through acquisitions. We are actively monitoring the market for companies that interested in joining the ace Group."

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Mirko Heide, Managing Director of IEG - Investment Banking Group, says: "We are proud to contribute to the structured development of the ace Group. The partnership with Charge Construct marks another milestone on the path to becoming a European CleanTech champion. We are excited about the upcoming months in this rapidly growing and dynamic market environment."

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IEG - Investment Banking Group in combination with con|energy have acted as exclusive financial advisor to EMERAM.

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The Partner
About IEG - Investment Banking Group
IEG - Investment Banking Group is a leading global technology investment bank focusing on mergers & acquisitions, financings, and asset management. With its local presence in key international growth regions and emerging markets, IEG - Investment Banking Group is a unique, influential, and entrepreneurial partner for growth companies and larger international corporations. Founded in 1999, IEG has completed over 200 successful transactions to date with approximately 50 technology investment bankers worldwide. For more information about IEG - Investment Banking Group, please visit www.ieg-banking.com.

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About EMERAM
EMERAM is one of the leading investment managers for medium-sized companies in German-speaking countries. Funds advised by EMERAM provide more than 500 million euros of capital for the development of growing companies. The portfolio includes companies from the technology/software, value-added services and new consumer staples sectors. EMERAM acts as a long-term business development partner for its companies and promotes the sustainable growth (organic and inorganic) of the portfolio companies. In addition, the company focuses on the implementation of holistic ESG concepts.

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Currently, the portfolio contains six platform investments with cumulatively more than 2,500 employees. The companies continuously achieve double-digit organic sales growth. In addition, a total of 30 add-on acquisitions accelerated the growth and enabled international expansion.

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About ace Group
The ace Group (Advanced Clean Energy Group) is a Hamburg-based company founded to consolidate innovative full-service providers of renewable energy solutions for the B2B market. Currently, ADLER Smart Solutions, HMB, and Charge Construct collaborate under the growing group. ace Group targets large enterprises in the DACH region and the Netherlands. The group is among the largest providers of planning, consulting, and implementation of photovoltaic systems, fast-charging infrastructure, and solar power storage.

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The Perspective
The three companies in the ace Group already have more than 250 employees working towards achieving the clean energy transition. The targeted total revenue for this year is approximately 150 million euros, with organic and inorganic growth aiming for 500 million euros by 2027. The three companies work closely together as a team, expanding their respective operational activities in their core markets with the aim of significant growth.

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Areas of expertise: Full-Service Systems and Repowering

The companies within ace Group develop and implement smart full-service packages around renewable energy for major clients such as energy corporations, logistics centers, consumer markets, residential developers, and gas station operators. From solar power generation to charging infrastructure and battery storage, the group equips buildings or open spaces of 10,000 square meters or more with solar systems or enhances the efficiency of existing systems through repowering measures without additional land requirements.

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Innovative Strategies and Investment Consultation‍

ace Group maximizes the profitability of its customer projects by intelligently integrating renewable energies and electromobility and offers comprehensive support for the implementation and expansion of innovative strategies. The group companies also assist strategic customers in professional grant applications as well as in the development of investment and financing concepts.

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