Epipoli to be Acquired by Investcorp
Deal News | Jan 16, 2025 | Bregal Milestone
Investcorp, a global alternative investment firm, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Epipoli, a Milan-based international alternative payments enabler, from Bregal Milestone and founder & CEO Gaetano Giannetto, who will retain a significant minority stake. Since its founding in 2000, Epipoli has established a robust presence in the Italian CRM and loyalty space, and has ventured into alternative payments with landmark initiatives such as gift card business and the first prepaid Mastercard in Italy. Under Bregal Milestone's ownership since 2019, Epipoli has seen its revenues grow fourfold and has expanded via strategic acquisitions. The deal, assisted by advisors UBS, PedersoliGattai, and Alma LED for Epipoli, and Clearwater and ADVANT Nctm for Investcorp, awaits customary regulatory approval. Investcorp aims to leverage its experience in tech and internationalisation to aid Epipoli’s continuing growth domestically and across Europe.
Sectors
- Finance & Payments
- Private Equity & Investment
Geography
- Italy – Epipoli is based in Milan, Italy, where it has developed substantial market presence in payments solutions.
- United Kingdom – Investcorp is headquartered in London, UK, which signifies its base of operations for this transaction.
- Switzerland – Epipoli expanded its operations into Switzerland, indicating further geographical presence.
Industry
- Finance & Payments – Epipoli operates in the alternative payments sector, providing solutions to businesses and consumers in Italy and internationally.
- Private Equity & Investment – Both Bregal Milestone and Investcorp are involved in private equity transactions and investments, with this deal representing a change in ownership of Epipoli.
Financials
- Not disclosed – The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epipoli | Target | Company | An international alternative payments enabler based in Milan. |
| Investcorp | Buyer | Company | A global alternative investment firm headquartered in London. |
| Bregal Milestone | Seller | Company | An investment firm selling its stake in Epipoli. |
| Gaetano Giannetto | CEO & Founder, Significant Minority Shareholder | People | Founder and CEO of Epipoli, retaining a minority stake post-transaction. |
| UBS | Financial Advisor to Epipoli and Bregal Milestone | Company | Provided financial advisory services for the transaction. |
| PedersoliGattai | Legal Counsel to Epipoli and Bregal Milestone | Company | Provided legal advisory services for the transaction. |
| Alma LED | Legal Counsel to Epipoli and Bregal Milestone | Company | Provided legal advisory services for the transaction. |
| Clearwater | Financial Advisor to Investcorp | Company | Provided financial advisory services to Investcorp. |
| ADVANT Nctm | Legal Advisor to Investcorp | Company | Provided legal advisory services to Investcorp. |