smaXtec Agrees to be Acquired by KKR Growth and Highland Europe
Deal News | Jan 24, 2025 | William Blair Capital Partners
smaXtec, a leader in dairy industry bolus technology and AI-powered health management software, is set to be acquired by KKR Growth and Highland Europe, as confirmed by the announcement that William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor for the transaction. The acquisition, subject to antitrust approval, will see existing shareholder Sophora Unternehmerkapital retain a minority stake. smaXtec offers advanced monitoring solutions that prevent cow diseases, boost milk yields, and enhance animal welfare by using AI technology such as the TruAdvice system. KKR is a global investment firm providing alternative asset management, aiming for attractive returns through strategic investments, while Highland Europe focuses on investing in growth-stage tech and consumer firms. Meanwhile, Sophora is an independent investment company with a keen focus on mid-sized companies in the DACH region.
Sectors
- Agricultural Technology
- Private Equity
Geography
- Global – The companies involved operate on a global scale, with KKR and Highland Europe's investments spanning across continents.
- Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH Region) – Sophora, one of the stakeholders, is based in Munich and focuses on investments in medium-sized companies in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, indicating regional investment activities in the DACH region.
Industry
- Agricultural Technology – smaXtec operates in the agricultural technology sector, providing advanced technological solutions for dairy farming, including AI-based health management systems.
- Private Equity – Involvement of private equity firms KKR Growth and Highland Europe in the acquisition of smaXtec shows the role of private equity in driving investments and growth in technology companies.
Financials
- 2.75 billion – The amount raised by Highland Europe in their investments since their formal launch.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| smaXtec | Target company | Company | Provides advanced dairy farming technology and AI-powered health management solutions. |
| KKR Growth | Bidding company | Company | A global investment firm acquiring smaXtec. |
| Highland Europe | Bidding company | Company | Investment firm specializing in growth-stage tech and consumer companies, partnering in the acquisition. |
| Sophora Unternehmerkapital | Existing shareholder | Company | Independent investment firm retaining a minority stake in smaXtec. |
| William Blair | Financial advisor | Company | Acted as the exclusive financial advisor to smaXtec for the transaction. |