Consortium around EMERAM and Gimv to support German digital learning platform sofatutor in the next growth phase – IEG as exclusive financial advisor to EMERAM and Gimv
- sofatutor is the most comprehensive digital education platform in the DACH-region
- Number of users has grown during a highly successful 2020 to more than 1 million pupils
- Digital education offerings and integration in school activity to be key drivers of future growth
- IEG – Investment Banking Group as exclusive financial advisor to EMERAM and Gimv
EMERAM Capital Partners, one of the leading investment companies in the German-speaking region with a focus on medium-sized companies, is heading an investor consortium together with the investment company Gimv, amongst others, to lead digital company sofatutor into the next growth phase. The consortium will thus take on from the previous shareholders.
sofatutor is regarded as one of Europe’s leading digital education platforms for years one to twelve (K-12). Founded in 2008, the company currently has more than one million users. Moreover, sofatutor is used by more than 25 percent of all teachers across Germany and has been introduced in the Federal States of Saxony and Bremen. sofatutor therefore sees itself positioned as the most comprehensive provider for digital learning tools in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, a market with a total of more than 11 million pupils.
Dr. Christian Näther, founding partner of EMERAM, says: “High-quality education has an important societal role in any country. We are therefore pleased to support sofatutor in extending its educational offering still further.” Dr. Sven Oleownik, Partner and Head of Germany at Gimv, comments: “With its investment in sofatutor, Gimv confirms its commitment to investing in future-oriented companies and is supporting together with EMERAM an excellently led company.”
Stefan Heilmann, CEO of IEG – Investment Banking Group, says: "With EMERAM and Gimv on their side, sofatutor has the best prerequisites to become one of the most successful EdTech companies worldwide." Mirko Heide, Managing Director of IEG – Investment Banking Group, adds: "We are proud to make a valuable contribution in the field of e-learning for the next generations."
IEG – Investment Banking Group has acted as exclusive financial advisor to EMERAM and Gimv.
About IEG – Investment Banking Group
IEG – Investment Banking Group is one of the leading, global independent investment banking boutiques focused on Mergers & Acquisitions, Financings & Principal Investments for the Internet, and Technology sector. Locally present in the key international growth regions and/or emerging markets, IEG – Investment Banking Group is a unique, influential, and trusted partner for growth companies and larger, international corporates. Founded in 1999, IEG has completed over 180 successful transactions to date with approximately 80 technology investment bankers. For further information about IEG – Investment Banking Group, please refer to: www.ieg-banking.com.
About sofatutor
Founded 13 years ago by Stephan Bayer, sofatutor.com is today the most comprehensive online learning platform in the German-speaking region, with more than one million users, more than 11,000 educational videos and over 43,000 exercises. With a mission to improve education, Bayer together with his team of over 200 people is helping schoolchildren from elementary school to high-school Abitur graduation – and has become, particularly during the year of corona, a pioneer and pillar of educational digitalization. The educational content is adapted to relevant age groups and is aligned to current state study plans. For further information about sofatutor please refer to: www.sofatutor.com.
About EMERAM
EMERAM is one of the leading investment companies for medium-sized companies in the German-speaking region. Funds advised by EMERAM currently provide 400 million euros of capital for the development of companies. The portfolio includes companies from the consumer, technology/software, and services sectors.
EMERAM acts as a long-term business development partner for its companies, promoting the sustainable growth (organic and inorganic) of the portfolio companies. Together, the team has successfully closed more than 60 transactions and supported the development of portfolio companies by serving on more than 50 advisory and supervisory boards. EMERAM was founded in 2012 as an independent partnership in Munich. For further information about EMERAM please refer to: www.emeram.com.
About Gimv
Gimv is a European investment company, listed on Euronext Brussels. With 40 years' experience in private equity, Gimv currently has EUR 2 billion of assets under management. The portfolio contains 55 portfolio companies, with combined turnover of EUR 2.5 billion and 14,000 employees. Gimv’s commitment to making a positive contribution to society has been demonstrated amongst others through the recent successful issue of a sustainable bond.
As a recognized market leader in selected investment platforms, Gimv identifies entrepreneurial, innovative companies with high growth potential and supports them in their transformation into market leaders. Gimv's four investment platforms are Consumer, Health & Care, Smart Industries and Sustainable Cities. Each platform works with an experienced team across Gimv’s home markets of Benelux, France and DACH, supported by an extended international network of experts. For further information about GIMV please refer to: www.gimv.com.