Hippo: Driving UK Digital Transformation with New Investment
Deal News | Mar 04, 2025 | Exponent Private Equity
Exponent Private Equity, a prominent European private equity firm, has announced its investment in Hippo Digital, a UK-based digital transformation provider. This partnership will propel Hippo's growth, with a focus on scaling its operations and enhancing its expertise in engineering, data, and AI solutions primarily for the UK public sector. Hippo, founded by Adam Lewis and Rob Coop, originally served the NHS with user-centric design solutions and has expanded into broader government and private sectors. The investment highlights Exponent's strategy to back market-leading, founder-led businesses and is part of its broader commitment to the digital transformation space. This marks Exponent's fourth platform investment in the last year. Regulatory approvals for the transaction are pending, with completion anticipated by early April.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Digital Transformation
- Public Sector
Geography
- United Kingdom – Hippo Digital is based in Leeds, UK, and serves various UK public sector clients, as well as other entities within the country.
- Europe – Exponent Private Equity is a leading European private equity firm with operations and investments across Europe.
Industry
- Private Equity – The article revolves around Exponent's investment activities, typical of private equity operations.
- Digital Transformation – Hippo Digital focuses on digital transformation solutions, particularly for the public sector.
- Public Sector – Hippo Digital provides digital transformation services primarily to public sector clients like the NHS.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hippo Digital | Target Company | Company | A Leeds-based digital transformation provider specializing in User-Centric Design solutions for the UK public sector. |
| Exponent Private Equity | Investor | Company | A leading European private equity firm investing in market-leading, founder-owned businesses. |
| Adam Lewis | Co-founder and CEO of Hippo Digital | Person | Co-founder of Hippo Digital, leading the company's strategic growth and expansion. |
| Rob Coop | Co-founder of Hippo Digital | Person | Co-founder of Hippo Digital, instrumental in providing digital solutions to the public sector. |
| Paul Nannetti | Chair of Hippo Digital | Person | Recently appointed Chair, expected to support Hippo's strategic endeavors. |
| Mark Taylor | Partner at Exponent | Person | Partner at Exponent Private Equity, involved in investment decisions and strategic guidance. |
| Barbara Rauber | Director at Exponent | Person | Director at Exponent Private Equity, instrumental in the investment decision for Hippo Digital. |