Motive Partners, a specialist private equity firm focused on fintech investments, is to acquire embedded/capital, a European venture capital platform focused on supporting the next wave of financial technology innovation, subject to customary closing conditions.
Motive Partners (Motive), a specialist private equity firm focused on fintech investments, is to acquire embedded/capital, a European venture capital platform focused on supporting the next wave of financial technology innovation, subject to customary closing conditions.
The acquisition is expected to close at year-end.
Since inception, Motive identified a whitespace opportunity to build a leading, fully integrated stage-agnostic investment firm focused solely on financial technology. In December 2021, having formed a strategic relationship with Apollo Global Management, Motive Partners launched Motive Ventures. Led by Mariano Belinky, formerly CEO of Santander Asset Management and founder of Santander’s venture capital business, Motive Ventures has invested in five companies to date.
In parallel, embedded/capital was formed in Berlin. Its team of 11 people is led and founded by Ramin Niroumand and Michael Hock, fintech business builders and operators turned investors. The embedded/capital portfolio consists of nine investments to date, including Bezahl.de, Bunch, Februar.co, Getquin, Hero, Luca, Myne, Nelly and Pliant.
The combination of embedded/capital’s team with the Motive Ventures team brings together top talent from across the industry to seek to capitalise on the market dynamics and growing opportunity ahead as new financial technologies and business models emerge at pace. The combined Motive Ventures team, consisting of 14 people, will be enabled by its market proximity, with on-site presence in three financial technology capitals: Berlin, London and New York City.
Leveraging Motive’s expertise, ecosystem, established IOI operating model and in-house innovation capabilities through Motive Create, Motive Ventures will continue to define and execute upon a value proposition that backs exceptional entrepreneurs’ visions and businesses. Motive Ventures focuses on early-stage investments, while Motive Capital Funds invest across growth and buyout. Both strategies focus exclusively on financial technology investments across North America and Europe.
Motive Partners was advised by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Hengeler Mueller. embedded/capital was advised by P+P Poellath + Partners.
