mynth
11/2023

ESI GROUP acquired by KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES

FRANCE Software / Engineering & Design Software EV €500M–1.5bn

Context

Keysight Technologies acquired 100% of ESI Group through a two-stage process. First, it purchased a 50.6% controlling block from the founding Rouvray family and historical shareholders at EUR155 per share. This was followed by a mandatory tender offer for the remaining shares at the same price. By early 2024, Keysight completed the squeeze-out and delisted ESI Group from Euronext Paris. The acquisition accelerates Keysight's strategy to shift its focus "left" into the design phase of the product lifecycle by integrating advanced predictive simulation and virtual prototyping into its design and test portfolio.

ESI GROUP, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2022, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of Above 20x, a level significantly higher than the average currently observed in the TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) sector (14.6x).

-> Deep-dive in TMT (Tech, Media, Telecom) market trends

Target

ESI Group is a world-leading provider of Virtual Prototyping software and services. Founded in 1973, the company pioneered the first successful full-car frontal crash simulation. Today, its software replicates the behavior of products during testing and real-life use (Digital Twins), enabling industries like Automotive, Aerospace, and Heavy Industry to replace physical prototypes with predictive physics-based simulations. Its immersive solutions (IC.IDO) allow for collaborative virtual process validation and human-machine interaction simulation.

Ent. Value

€500M–1.5bn

Equity Value

[members only]

Multiples

EV / Revenue

4x–10x

EV / EBITDA

Above 20x

EV / EBIT

Above 20x

Historical Financials (EUR)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2022
€100–200M
€10–30M
€5–25M
2021
€100–200M
€10–30M
€5–25M

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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV €500M–1.5bn

Revenue range: €100–200M

EBITDA range: €10–30M

EV/Revenue range: 4x - 10x

EV/EBITDA range: Above 20x

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of ESI GROUP by KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.

Acquirer: keysight technologies