Partners Group to acquire Cloudflight, a leading digital transformation services provider

Partners Group to acquire Cloudflight, a leading digital transformation services provider

Baar-Zug, Switzerland; 11 November 2022

  • The transaction values Cloudflight at an enterprise value of just under EUR 400 million
  • Cloudflight provides mission-critical services to help companies digitize business models, processes, and products
  • Partners Group's value creation plan will focus on expanding into new markets

Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, has, on behalf of its clients, agreed to acquire a controlling equity stake in Cloudflight (or "the Company"), a leading digital transformation services provider in Europe, from Deutsche Beteiligungs AG. The transaction values Cloudflight at an enterprise value of just under EUR 400 million.

Cloudflight provides scalable solutions and tailor-made software to help companies digitize their business models, processes, and products. The Company's core expertise is in software development for long-term projects, which typically requires deep expertise within fields such as Internet of Things, cloud architecture, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Cloudflight has around 1,000 IT strategists, software developers, data scientists, and cloud specialists, and 19 offices across Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania. The Company is well-positioned to benefit from future growth in the digital transformation services and cloud computing markets, which is being driven by the accelerated shift to digital, rapid investment in customer-facing products, the upgrade of technology infrastructure, and increased reliance on outsourced talent.

Cloudflight has more than doubled revenues over the last three years and is set to see sustained strong growth momentum under Partners Group's ownership. Partners Group will work with management to transform Cloudflight, with key value creation initiatives including further building out the Company's portfolio of technical capabilities and vertical expertise, expanding into new markets, intensifying strategic customer relationships, and institutionalizing the Company's organisation and operations.

Bilge Ogut, Partner, Head Private Equity Technology Industry Vertical, Partners Group, says: "For many industries and businesses, digital transformation remains top of the agenda for improving value propositions and overall competitiveness in a period of macroeconomic challenges. This is creating long-term tailwinds for specialist providers such as Cloudflight. The Company's highly skilled, dynamic talent base, innovative approach, and pipeline of future add-on targets positions it well to turn these tailwinds into tangible value creation. Cloudflight has been a long-term partner to its clients and can serve them in a unique and bespoke way as technologies evolve rapidly. We will leverage our previous experience working with digital transformation services providers to help build Cloudflight for scale."

Roger Kehl, Chief Executive Officer, Cloudflight, comments: "At Cloudflight, we differentiate ourselves through our broad technological capabilities, where we work with customers at every step of their digital journey from ideation through development to the operational phase. After a period of growth, we are now looking to continue this exciting journey and also explore further geographic possibilities beyond the DACH region and into other high-growth European markets. Partners Group's extensive operational experience in the sector and transformational investing approach make the firm an ideal future partner."

Joel Liebi, Member of Management, Private Equity Technology Industry Vertical, Partners Group, adds: "Based on our extensive insights into this sector and thematic approach, we have found that Cloudflight has several competitive advantages over its peers. This includes technical expertise, speed of delivery, unique culture and access to talent, and understanding of customer needs. Our value creation plan will seek to further develop these advantages, whilst also building the business and capitalizing on industry tailwinds. We look forward to partnering with the Cloudflight team and have conviction that, with our support, we will see collaborative success."

About Partners Group

Partners Group is a leading global private markets firm. Since 1996, the firm has invested USD 185 billion in private equity, private real estate, private debt, and private infrastructure on behalf of its clients globally. Partners Group seeks to generate strong returns through capitalizing on thematic growth trends and transforming attractive businesses and assets into market leaders. The firm is a committed, responsible investor and aims to create sustainable returns with lasting, positive impact for all its stakeholders. With USD 131 billion in assets under management as of 30 June 2022, Partners Group provides an innovative range of bespoke client solutions to institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and private individuals globally. The firm employs more than 1,600 diverse professionals across 20 offices worldwide and has regional headquarters in Baar-Zug, Switzerland; Denver, USA; and Singapore. It has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2006 (symbol: PGHN). For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Partners Group media relations contact
Henry Weston

Phone: +44 207 575 2593
Email: [email protected]

Baar-Zug, Switzerland; 11 November 2022

  • The transaction values Cloudflight at an enterprise value of just under EUR 400 million
  • Cloudflight provides mission-critical services to help companies digitize business models, processes, and products
  • Partners Group's value creation plan will focus on expanding into new markets

Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, has, on behalf of its clients, agreed to acquire a controlling equity stake in Cloudflight (or "the Company"), a leading digital transformation services provider in Europe, from Deutsche Beteiligungs AG. The transaction values Cloudflight at an enterprise value of just under EUR 400 million.

Cloudflight provides scalable solutions and tailor-made software to help companies digitize their business models, processes, and products. The Company's core expertise is in software development for long-term projects, which typically requires deep expertise within fields such as Internet of Things, cloud architecture, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Cloudflight has around 1,000 IT strategists, software developers, data scientists, and cloud specialists, and 19 offices across Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania. The Company is well-positioned to benefit from future growth in the digital transformation services and cloud computing markets, which is being driven by the accelerated shift to digital, rapid investment in customer-facing products, the upgrade of technology infrastructure, and increased reliance on outsourced talent.

Cloudflight has more than doubled revenues over the last three years and is set to see sustained strong growth momentum under Partners Group's ownership. Partners Group will work with management to transform Cloudflight, with key value creation initiatives including further building out the Company's portfolio of technical capabilities and vertical expertise, expanding into new markets, intensifying strategic customer relationships, and institutionalizing the Company's organisation and operations.

Bilge Ogut, Partner, Head Private Equity Technology Industry Vertical, Partners Group, says: "For many industries and businesses, digital transformation remains top of the agenda for improving value propositions and overall competitiveness in a period of macroeconomic challenges. This is creating long-term tailwinds for specialist providers such as Cloudflight. The Company's highly skilled, dynamic talent base, innovative approach, and pipeline of future add-on targets positions it well to turn these tailwinds into tangible value creation. Cloudflight has been a long-term partner to its clients and can serve them in a unique and bespoke way as technologies evolve rapidly. We will leverage our previous experience working with digital transformation services providers to help build Cloudflight for scale."

Roger Kehl, Chief Executive Officer, Cloudflight, comments: "At Cloudflight, we differentiate ourselves through our broad technological capabilities, where we work with customers at every step of their digital journey from ideation through development to the operational phase. After a period of growth, we are now looking to continue this exciting journey and also explore further geographic possibilities beyond the DACH region and into other high-growth European markets. Partners Group's extensive operational experience in the sector and transformational investing approach make the firm an ideal future partner."

Joel Liebi, Member of Management, Private Equity Technology Industry Vertical, Partners Group, adds: "Based on our extensive insights into this sector and thematic approach, we have found that Cloudflight has several competitive advantages over its peers. This includes technical expertise, speed of delivery, unique culture and access to talent, and understanding of customer needs. Our value creation plan will seek to further develop these advantages, whilst also building the business and capitalizing on industry tailwinds. We look forward to partnering with the Cloudflight team and have conviction that, with our support, we will see collaborative success."

About Partners Group

Partners Group is a leading global private markets firm. Since 1996, the firm has invested USD 185 billion in private equity, private real estate, private debt, and private infrastructure on behalf of its clients globally. Partners Group seeks to generate strong returns through capitalizing on thematic growth trends and transforming attractive businesses and assets into market leaders. The firm is a committed, responsible investor and aims to create sustainable returns with lasting, positive impact for all its stakeholders. With USD 131 billion in assets under management as of 30 June 2022, Partners Group provides an innovative range of bespoke client solutions to institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and private individuals globally. The firm employs more than 1,600 diverse professionals across 20 offices worldwide and has regional headquarters in Baar-Zug, Switzerland; Denver, USA; and Singapore. It has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2006 (symbol: PGHN). For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Partners Group media relations contact
Henry Weston

Phone: +44 207 575 2593
Email: [email protected]