Communications agency Vanksen has received a USD5m (EUR4m) investment from Quilvest Private Equity.
The funds will be used primarily to fuel Vanksen’s expansion in digital communications and facilitate international expansion, especially in the US.
Within the framework of this deal, for which Vanksen was advised by PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance, Quilvest Private Equity takes a minority share of the capital from the management and founders and is subscribing to convertible bonds to help finance the development of the agency.
Vanksen is a pure-play viral and buzz marketing communications agency. It activates and optimises the connection between brands and consumers.
Vanksen will focus on diversifying its client portfolio and investing in its proprietary technology platforms. The two founders, Emmanuel Vivier and Xavier Lesueur, which lead the European team, also anticipate aggressive recruitment.
"Today, Vanksen is one of the last independent digital communications groups in an expanding market. The arrival of Quilvest Private Equity will of course enable us to strengthen our position in Europe, but it will also enable us to extend our innovative approach in key markets like the US," says Lesueur.
"We are very pleased to become partners with Vanksen in the renewing sector of communications," adds Nicolas de la Moriniere (pictured), associate director for Quilvest Private Equity. "We have full confidence in the capacity of the Vanksen team to expand their activity successfully."
