Nextstage takes majority stake in Domaine de Chezelles

Financed via a direct equity injection of approximately 26 million euros, the leveraged buyout orchestrated by NextStage AM secures majority control of Domaine de Chezelles to support its transmission and digital transformation. Announced in September 2026, this strategic Management Buy-In (MBI) officially transitions the apitherapy specialist away from its historical generational ownership structure. The financial architecture of the transaction deploys capital specifically from the NextStage Evergreen vehicle and the Capital Entrepreneur funds. Under the newly configured capitalization table, incoming executive Karen Vernet assumes the role of President, taking over operational leadership from the outgoing family representative, Marie-Cécile Hernaez. Concurrently with the majority stake purchase by NextStage AM, Marie-Cécile Hernaez executed a strategic reinvestment to maintain a minority equity position alongside the new leadership, ensuring continuity of the brand's historical heritage. The strategic rationale driving NextStage AM centers on scaling the authentic heritage of the brand to capture market share within the rapidly expanding natural dietary supplements and functional foods sector. The newly injected institutional capital is explicitly earmarked to finance an aggressive omnichannel expansion strategy, aggressively pushing the commercial footprint beyond its historical direct sales network while significantly upgrading its digital infrastructure and scientific credibility. The integration roadmap relies on the extensive retail and digital transformation expertise of Karen Vernet, drawing on her previous executive tenure at the Printemps group and Ecotone.

By taking control of Domaine de Chezelles, Nextstage continues its expansion strategy. Previously, the group had completed 3 acquisitions, including Société des Eaux Minérales D’arcachon in 2026.