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PE-backed Questel acquires NovumIP

Questel, a global IP software and tech-enabled services leader offering an integrated end-to-end platform of software and services across the innovation lifecycle, has acquired NovumIP, a global intellectual property (IP) technology group comprised of PAVIS and Novagraaf, two European leaders, active in patents annuities and trademarks renewals.

The acquisition will enhance Questel’s presence in the IP value chain through a comprehensive offering delivering a full set of solutions for its global customers and also fully reflects Questel’s ambition to continuously enhance its value proposition for such customers. Integrating patent annuities with Questel’s existing range of solutions, notably its intellectual asset management platform, will be a setp-change for customers seeking one convenient location to manage all of their IP activities.

Eurazeo Capital, IK Investment Partners and RAISE Investissement will invest to finance the acquisition of NovumIP. Following the transaction, Eurazeo and the IK IX Fund will each invest an incremental amount of approximately EUR150 million and together will continue to hold a majority stake in Questel, while Paragon Fund III, an affiliate of NovumIP’s majority shareholder, will invest and become a financial investor of Questel.
 
Definitive financial information will be disclosed once the transaction is completed. The completion of the transaction is subject to the definitive approval of the German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) as well as the Competition Authorities.
 
This acquisition demonstrates the commitment of Eurazeo Capital, IK Investment Partners and RAISE Investissement to support the Questel management team as it continues to pursue its expansion strategy into the IP management value chain. This strategy is supported by strong organic growth and a dynamic acquisition strategy that has helped in the past and should prove paramount in allowing  Questel to continue extending its geographic footprint in the future, whilst also providing a differentiated end-to-end set of solutions for its clients.
 
The NovumIP transaction follows the recent acquisitions by Questel of innosabi, an innovation SaaS company based in Germany, and doeLEGAL, a US software business active in enterprise legal management. These acquisitions represent a great milestone in the Questel journey.
 

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