Zisson Joins Forces with LeadDesk as Verdane Exits

Deal News | Dec 19, 2024 | Verdane

Zisson Joins Forces with LeadDesk as Verdane Exits

Verdane, a significant European growth investment firm, has announced its exit from its six-year investment in Zisson, a Norwegian provider of cloud-based communication centre software, by selling its stake to LeadDesk Oyj. Zisson and LeadDesk, both leaders in cloud-based contact centre software, anticipate that the merger will solidify their position in the Nordic market and enable further expansion across Europe. Zisson's CEO expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's potential to enhance service offerings and operational capabilities. LeadDesk's leadership also welcomes Verdane as a new minority owner and foresees substantial growth opportunities in the evolving European CCaaS market. Verdane, known for its focus on sustainability and digitalisation, highlights its over 7.7 billion in assets under management and its track record of over 200 investments.

Sectors

  • Financial Services
  • Technology
  • Telecommunications

Geography

  • Norway – Zisson is a Norwegian company being acquired, indicating significant activity in this market.
  • Finland – LeadDesk Oyj is a Finnish company acquiring Zisson, highlighting their geographical base.
  • Europe – The broader European market is central to the strategies of both LeadDesk and Verdane, each looking at expansion across the continent.

Industry

  • Financial Services – Verdane is a private equity firm, specializing in growth investments in tech-enabled and sustainable businesses across Europe.
  • Technology – Zisson and LeadDesk operate in cloud-based communication centre software, critical to the contact centre as a service (CCaaS) industry.
  • Telecommunications – The transaction involves companies offering communication solutions for contact centres, pertinent to the telecommunications sector.

Financials

  • EUR 7.7 billion – Verdane's assets under management.

Participants

NameRoleTypeDescription
VerdaneSelling CompanyCompanyA European growth investment firm focusing on tech-enabled and sustainable businesses.
ZissonTarget CompanyCompanyA Norwegian provider of cloud-based communication centre software.
LeadDesk OyjBidding CompanyCompanyA leading European provider of cloud-based contact centre software based in Finland.
Michael Ramm ØstgaardCEO of ZissonPersonCurrent CEO of Zisson who has led the company for the past 18 months.
Erling AmbleDirector at VerdanePersonDirector at Verdane commenting on the strategic partnership with Zisson.
Olli Nokso-KoivistoCEO of LeadDeskPersonCEO of LeadDesk overseeing the acquisition of Zisson.