EMARGENCE acquired by NEXTSTAGE

This transaction represents a full ownership transition from the financial sponsor Consolid Equity, marking the culmination of the target’s regional platform aggregation lifecycle. Under Consolid Equity’s investment horizon, the target successfully executed the 2024 regional consolidation of separate independent tax practices (Svalner in Sweden, Atlas Tax Lawyers and STP Tax in the Netherlands, Alder and Fiscales in Finland, and KWC in Norway) into a single institutionalized Northern European entity. Having completed the operational integration of these domestic practices and achieved cross-border scale, the financial sponsor has exited the asset to a global strategic operator capable of underwriting the next phase of enterprise software deployment and global client coverage. The transaction gives the buyer immediate operational scale in highly profitable Northern European tax jurisdictions characterized by high corporate tax rates and complex local statutory codes. Onboarding the target's pre-existing footprint in Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, and Denmark eliminates the multi-year cycle required to organically build local regulatory credentials, while providing immediate access to a recurring base of over 4,000 corporate and private equity accounts. To eliminate human capital flight risk and protect client relationships, management and partner continuity has been institutionalized, with all 50 equity partners and executive leadership transitioning into the buyer’s global organizational structure. Post-acquisition integration will focus on migrating the target’s seven regional offices onto the buyer’s centralized global operating and ERP platform.

Azulis Capital has successfully finalized a significant minority investment in the share capital of the target, marking a primary LBO designed to accelerate the organization’s international expansion and build-up strategy. This strategic transaction represents a pivotal step in the professional services firm’s evolution, providing the capital depth required to pursue external growth in a highly fragmented management consulting landscape. The strategic rationale for the move centers on the high degree of technical alignment between the two organizations, specifically focusing on the institutionalization of a partnership-based management model. By incorporating an institutional minority partner, the organization reinforces its ability to execute its existing buy-and-build roadmap while maintaining a decentralized framework for its specialized expert associates. The partnership is designed to leverage the acquirer’s extensive expertise in mid-market consolidation to diversify the firm’s geographic reach and service offerings. This integration facilitates a renewed focus on technical operational depth and digital transformation advisory, providing the strategic resources required to compete at a global scale. The move solidifies the group’s standing as a primary enabler of industrial and supply chain modernization.

Applus+ Group acquired 100% of APEM Group. The transaction marks a transformative shift for APEM, which will now lead the Environmental Services division for the entire Applus+ organization. The deal was financed by Applus+ through a EUR350 million incremental term loan. The strategic rationale focuses on the "sustainability mega-trend," combining APEM's scientific depth with Applus+'s industrial scale to capture global demand for environmental compliance and renewable energy advisory.

ABC Company acquired a 34% stake in Bonfiglioli Consulting to form a long-term financial and industrial partnership. The transaction is characterized by a high degree of alignment, as the selling shareholders will reinvest approximately 80% of their proceeds into newly issued Class A shares of ABC Company. The deal includes an earn-out component based on economic performance targets for the 2026–2028 period. The strategic rationale is to create an integrated platform combining capital and operational transformation expertise to support the scale-up of Italian SMEs.

The arrival of Bridgepoint as a shareholder in Interpath marks a significant milestone in the growth of this advisory firm, which was founded in 2021 by former members of KPMG's UK branch. This GBP 800 million transaction will enable Interpath to strengthen its presence in Europe, with the ambition of tripling its workforce by 2030. As a specialist in corporate restructuring, the firm aims to consolidate its position in Europe before expanding internationally. The new partnership with Bridgepoint is expected to leverage the investment firm's expertise in the professional services sector, built on a long history of successful partnerships with companies in this industry. The goal is to enhance Interpath's platform by attracting new talent and expanding its service offerings, particularly in restructuring and advisory services. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.

The French accounting and consulting group Endrix completes a significant capital reorganization by welcoming IK Partners as a strategic financial shareholder. This operation aims to fuel the group's ambitious external growth strategy. After an initial partnership with Bpifrance in 2021, Endrix steps up to a pan-European investor to reach its target of EUR100 million in revenue, consolidating a highly fragmented market through targeted acquisitions (Build-ups).

Elixirr has acquired 100% of the Hypothesis group, its fourth acquisition in the United States, strengthening its presence in the world's largest consulting market. Elixirr was founded in 2009 to disrupt the consulting industry by trying to deliver a better model to clients and with specific expertise across digital, data, AI and innovation.

Japanese HR giant Persol acquired an 85%, facilitating a full exit for historical venture capital and impact investors including Amundi PEF, Banque des Territoires, Breega, Kois, and Alter Equity. Founder Pascal Lorne and the management team retain 15% of the equity. The strategic rationale focuses on deploying Gojob's advanced AI matching technology across Persol's global network, particularly in Asia, while supporting Gojob's international scale-up in the US and Europe. This exit marks a major success for Breega, which returned 20x its seed investment.

Parella successfully completed its second LBO via a club deal. The transaction marks the entry of three new partners (SGCP, BRED, Bpifrance) alongside historical investor Qualium Investissement (partner since 2018), who chose to reinvest. Notably, the three founding partners significantly reinvested to regain majority control of the group. Key executives and managers across France and international offices also participated in the round. The operation is supported by a senior debt package provided by a pool including LCL, SG, BNP Paribas, Arkea, and Credit Mutuel. The strategic roadmap aims to double the company's size within 5 years through international expansion (Europe) and innovation (AI).

TowerBrook Fund VI completed the acquisition of RYDGE Conseil, the former chartered accountancy arm of KPMG France. This complex carve-out creates a new independent leader in the French SME services market. TowerBrook intends to support a transformational phase, investing in scalable infrastructure and digital tools while maintaining the partnership-driven culture of the firm. Francois Enaud (formerly Steria) joins as Chairman to guide the strategic transition away from the Big Four network.