German technology investor LEA Partners is taking a majority share in the b+m group, a leading software provider for the banking and insurance industry, from software investor Main Capital Partners.
The b+m group, with currently around 150 employees headquartered in Melsdorf near Kiel, is the undisputed German market leader for the automated processing of promotional loans. In 2020 alone, a volume of more than EUR 30 bn was processed by b+m group’s software systems. In addition, the group serves insurers with innovative products in the field of pension and inventory management. The b+m group completes its service offering with a market-leading product portfolio that supports the digitalisation of sales activities in banks. For more than 25 years, the b+m group has been a recognised software provider in the financial services sector, establishing longstanding customer relationships throughout the DACH region.
LEA Partners is an entrepreneurial-minded multi-stage private equity firm investing in growth technology companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. Founded in 2002, LEA Partners has advised on the investment in several companies. Operating out of Karlsruhe, one of Europe’s largest technology clusters, its mission is to fund and support ambitious founders and executives by leveraging them with practical, hands-on growth expertise to achieve market leadership.
Main Capital Partners is a strategic investor with an exclusive focus on enterprise software. Main Capital Partners has almost 20 years of experience in building front-running software groups in the Benelux countries and the DACH and Nordics regions. Main Capital Partners is a strategic partner for management teams of software companies, with the aim to achieve sustainable growth in close cooperation. With a team of 45 employees at locations in The Hague, Stockholm and Düsseldorf, Main Capital Partners offers its portfolio companies strategic advice and pragmatic support. In October 2021, Main Capital Partners has over EUR 2.2 billion in assets under management. During their six year partnership, Main Capital Partners and the b+m group have successfully more than tripled recurring revenues, while also significantly increasing profitability. The b+m team has also expanded from approximately 90 to nearly 150 employees over the period.
Sven van Berge, Partner and Head of Germany at Main Capital Partners, commented: “We are very proud of what we have achieved over the last 6 years, together with the team from b+m. In particular, our progression to a more recurring, software-centric service offering was a great step forward for the company and allowed for significant growth opportunities while also increasing profit margins. With the acquisition of engram in 2017, we also supported the investment with further capital while at the same time helping to extend the software portfolio in the financial sector. We are thankful for a great collaboration and are happy to have found a good home for b+m with LEA Partners.”
Frank Mielke, CEO b+m group: “With LEA Partners, we have decided to partner with a strong software investor with in-depth knowhow in the German speaking countries, which is rounded off by a comprehensive understanding of the financial services industry. From the very start, we are benefiting from working with a valuable sparring partner to build on our strengths and continuously develop the b+m group.”
Philipp Hertel, Partner at LEA Partners: “The b+m group stands for outstanding technological skills combined with a strong market position as a software provider for the financial services sector. We are delighted to partner with b+m and we will seize the attractive opportunities in the digital transformation of banks and insurers to further grow the b+m group.”
Carlsquare acted as the exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of b+m group.
