Apax Europe VII announces the sale of Aptos
The Apax Europe VII Fund has announced, alongside a consortium of other Funds advised by Apax Partners, that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Aptos.
Having spun the business out of Epicor, an Apax Funds portfolio company, in 2015, Aptos has grown as an independent company to become one of the largest global enterprise software providers focused exclusively on retail. Strategic M&A strengthened the company’s geographic footprint and product capabilities.
AGA, whose shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange, provides investors with access to the investment expertise of Apax Partners through its investments in a diversified portfolio of private equity funds advised by Apax Partners as well as derived investments in debt and equity.
Aptos to be Acquired by Affiliates of Goldman Sachs’ Merchant Banking Division from Funds advised by Apax Partners
Strategic capital commitment from funds managed by Goldman Sachs to fast-track Aptos’ product innovation and retailers’ digital transformation
ATLANTA – January 13, 2020 – Aptos today announced that funds affiliated with the Merchant Banking Division of Goldman Sachs have reached a definitive agreement to acquire the company from funds advised by Apax Partners (the “Apax Funds”). Aptos, Inc., a recognized market leader in retail technology solutions, delivers innovative, cloud-native and comprehensive omni-channel solutions to more than 1,000 retail brands in 65 countries.
The Apax Funds backed Aptos CEO Noel Goggin to spin-out the business from portfolio company, Epicor, in 2015. Since then, Aptos has thrived as an independent company having more than doubled their customer base to become one of the largest global enterprise software providers focused exclusively on retail. In addition, the Apax Funds supported Aptos on a number of strategic acquisitions which strengthened Aptos’ presence in Europe and extended its product capabilities.
“Aptos is looking forward to the next stage in our growth and maturation journey in partnering with Goldman Sachs, a group that brings a wealth of enterprise software expertise, commercial relationships and vast global resources,” said Noel Goggin, Aptos CEO and culture leader. “We are also grateful for the strong partnership and strategic support Apax has provided over the past four and a half years.”
“When evaluating the retail software market, it became apparent that Aptos is a leader in delivering differentiating and built-for-the-future innovation,” said Will Chen, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs.
“With the strength of Aptos’ executive team, the company is uniquely positioned to help retailers develop resilient and thriving enterprises that can adapt to shifting consumer trends and market conditions,” Chen said. “We look forward to helping the company further scale the product innovations, customer success initiatives and global market expansions that have been hallmarks of Aptos’ preeminence to date.”
“We would like to thank Noel and his team for all they have achieved. As an independent and entrepreneurial company, Aptos has delivered on its potential by offering a comprehensive “end-to-end” platform at the forefront of the market transition to omni-channel retailing,” said Jason Wright, a Partner at Apax Partners.
“We wish them continued success in the future.”
Contact details
Investor enquiries
Sarah Page
IR Manager – AGA
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7666 6573
Email: sarah.page@apax.com
Media enquiries
Andrew Kenny
Head of Communications
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7872 6371
Email: andrew.kenny@apax.com
About Apax Global Alpha Limited
AGA is a Guernsey registered closed-ended collective investment scheme incorporated as a non-cellular company that listed on the London Stock Exchange on 15 June 2015. It is regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
AGA’s objective is to provide shareholders with capital appreciation from its investment portfolio and regular dividends. The Company is targeting an annualised Total Return, across economic cycles, of 12-15% (net of fees and expenses) including a dividend yield of 5% of Net Asset Value.
The investment policy of the Company is to make Private Equity investments in Apax Funds, and Derived Investments which are investments in equities and debt derived from the insights gained via Apax Partners’ Private Equity activities. The Company’s portfolio is expected to be allocated in approximately equal proportions between Private Equity and Derived Investments, although the investment mix will fluctuate over time due to market conditions, investment opportunities, cash flow requirements, the dividend policy and other factors. Further information regarding the Company and its publications are available on the Company’s website at www.apaxglobalalpha.com.
About Apax Partners LLP
Apax Partners is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 40-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of c.€40 billion. Funds advised by Apax Partners invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer. These funds provide long_term equity financing to build and strengthen world_class companies. For further information about Apax Partners, please visit www.apax.com.
Apax Partners is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.