Dresden, September 6, 2024:
Funds advised by Bregal Unternehmerkapital (“BU”) invest in Communardo Holding GmbH (“Communardo”), a leading full-service provider for the Modern Workplace in DACH with a focus on Atlassian (Platinum Solution Partner), Microsoft, Monday.com and Staffbase. The new partnership aims to support Communardo in the implementation of its customer-oriented growth strategy, expansion in Europe and the continuous expansion of its own service and software portfolio. The current management team and existing investor PROM12 will retain a significant stake in Communardo.
Leading provider of consulting services and software solutions for the digital workplace with a focus on Atlassian and Microsoft
For over 20 years, the Dresden-based company has been a leading provider of solutions and consulting services for the digital workplace. The company currently employs over 320 people at ten locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Albania.
As a cross-technology specialist, Communardo develops cloud-based intranets, quality management systems and apps that help teams work more efficiently with Atlassian and Microsoft software. Communardo supports the introduction and operation of solutions with training and change management as well as comprehensive managed services. Its customers include large and medium-sized companies from various industries as well as the public sector.
Communardo is an Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner, a Microsoft Solution Partner, a Silver Partner of monday.com and a close partner of Staffbase. In 2022 and 2023, Communardo was selected as a Leader for Microsoft 365 Services and Power Platform Services by the Information Services Group (ISG) and was recognized as Atlassian Partner of the Year in 2019 and 2024.
Expansion of DACH market leadership under PROM12
With the entry of PROM12, Communardo has been able to continue its success story in recent years and generate new growth momentum. In preparation for the planned organic and inorganic growth, the management team around CEO Dirk Röhrborn was strengthened by Maximilian Schmidt (Group CFO), Tino Beyer (Chief Revenue Officer) and Claudia Lutter (Chief Operating Officer). The acquisitions of bitvoodoo (November 2023) and Scolution (April 2024) also consolidated the company’s position as a leading provider of digital working in the DACH market. These measures more than doubled net sales and increased the number of employees by over 50 %.
“Thanks to the highly motivated team, existing relationships with technology partners have been intensified, new ones developed and the expertise in strategic consulting for customers in complex projects has been expanded beyond the provision of software solutions,” says Daniel Herter, Managing Partner of PROM12. “We are pleased to be able to continue to accompany further growth together with BU.”
Partnership with BU focuses on Communardo’s expansion in Europe and the expansion of its own service and software portfolio
In order to continue its growth trajectory beyond the DACH market, both organically and inorganically, Communardo is expanding its shareholder base and gaining BU, the largest mid-market investor headquartered in the DACH region, as a majority investor. Together with existing investor PROM12, BU will work closely with Communardo’s existing management team to continue the customer-centric growth strategy in the DACH region and establish additional partnerships with regional providers. The shareholders also see geographic expansion via M&A as well as the expansion of the portfolio and the company’s own service and software offering as the next logical step towards establishing a leading provider of digital workplace solutions in Europe.
Dirk Röhrborn, CEO and co-founder of Communardo, says: “We are delighted to have gained a new financially strong partner in BU, who will accelerate the further growth of our company and support us in strategic issues with a strong network and in-depth expertise. We were particularly impressed by BU’s partnership-based approach, their strong roots in the DACH market and their extensive experience in the field of IT services and the internationalization of companies.”
Jan-Daniel Neumann, Partner and Co-Founder of BU, adds: “Communardo’s agile and entrepreneurial team convinced us with their mission to create a European champion. We look forward to working with Communardo, the existing management team and PROM12 and are confident that together we can unlock further organic and inorganic growth potential.” Simon Lussi, Partner and Head of Business Services at BU, adds: “Communardo has embarked on an impressive growth trajectory, which we now want to drive forward with additional capital and expertise. We are also delighted to welcome Communardo to our BU portfolio as another company in our ‘Modern Work’ investment thesis alongside Netrics AG.”
Communardo was advised by William Blair (M&A), Altman Solon (Commercial), RSM Ebner Stolz (Financial), FGS (Tax) and GOF (Legal).
BU was advised by Raymond James and Transfer Partners (M&A), EY-Parthenon (Commercial), Code & Co (Tech), EY (Financial, Tax & ESG) and Paul Hastings (Legal).
About Communardo
Communardo is a leading provider of software solutions and consulting services for the digital workplace. Our heart beats for modern working, agile processes, communication and collaboration in companies. Our experts support customers from all industries in selecting the right software, implementing intelligent solutions and customized apps. As a cross-technology specialist, we design solutions for modern cloud-based intranets or quality management systems and develop apps that enable teams to work together more successfully and exploit the full potential of their Atlassian or Microsoft software. We support the introduction and operation of your solutions with training and change management as well as managed services. Further information can be found at: www.communardo.de
About PROM12
PROM12 is an entrepreneur-led private equity firm specializing in IT, IT services, digital transformation and technology companies in the DACH region. PROM12 supports market-leading companies in accelerating their growth (organically and through targeted acquisitions) and achieving sustainable, long-term value creation. Further information can be found at: www.prom12.com
About Bregal Unternehmerkapital
Bregal Unternehmerkapital (“BU”) is a leading private equity firm with offices in Zug, Munich and Milan. With a total of €7.0 billion in capital raised since inception, BU is the largest mid-cap investor headquartered in the DACH region. The funds advised by BU invest in mid-cap companies based in Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Austria. With the mission to be the preferred partner for entrepreneurs and family businesses, BU focuses on partnerships with market leaders and “hidden champions” with strong management teams and growth potential. Since its foundation in 2015, the funds advised by BU have invested over €3.5 billion in more than 100 companies with over 28,000 employees. More than 8,200 jobs have been created in the process. BU supports entrepreneurs and families as a strategic partner to further develop, internationalize and digitalize their businesses, helping them to create sustainable value responsibly and with a view to the next generation. Further information can be found at: https://www.bregal.ch
