IK Investment Partners’ (IK) IK Small Cap II Fund, together with company founders, is to acquire SCHEMA Group (SCHEMA), a developer and provider of software solutions for demanding product- and process-related content.
Financial terms of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, have not been disclosed.
Founded in 1995 by Marcus Kesseler and Stefan Freisler, SCHEMA provides sophisticated component content management system (CCMS) software for creating modular documentation in technical content and other editing contexts and targets a broad range of different global industries such as engineering, pharmaceuticals and medical technology. CCMS solutions are required to efficiently master the high complexity when writing, managing, and publishing product-related content while at the same time ensuring process security. The software addresses the increasing global complexity created by tightening of regulations, digitalisation and globalisation trends as well as shorter product lifecycles.
SCHEMA is an innovation leader and has set international industry standards regarding the range of features and standardisation of CCMS over the last 20 years. Its products enable customers to realise substantial cost and time savings and increase the content process efficiency.
The acquisition of SCHEMA represents IK’s second investment in the DACH region for the newly established IK Small Cap II Fund. IK will work with the founders and SCHEMA’s management to accelerate the Company’s organic growth strategy in its existing and new markets and will continue to invest in its operations, product development, and sales activities.
Stefan Freisler, Founder of SCHEMA, says: “We are very proud of the Company’s progress and the high loyalty of our customers. With IK we have found the right partner to further expand SCHEMA’s market position and embark on a new chapter.”
Marcus Kesseler, Founder of SCHEMA, says: “IK shares our vision for the future strategic roadmap and opportunities of SCHEMA. Their support and experience will be a true added value for our success and we look forward to working together with IK to continuously develop the Company and its product offering.”
Nils Pohlmann, Partner at IK Investment Partners and advisor to the IK Small Cap II Fund, says: “SCHEMA is an innovative niche market leader addressing global trends which will become fundamentally important to every company. Its impressive blue-chip and loyal client base demonstrates SCHEMA’s success in providing efficiency and cost benefits to its customers. We are excited to support the Company’s growth and expansion strategy going forward and to work closely with the founders and its strong management team.”
