VR Equitypartner Acquires Majority Stake in IT Service Provider SIGNON Austria
July, 2019 - Germany
A team led by Dr. Rainer Herschlein and Benedikt Raisch advised VR Equitypartner GmbH on its acquisition of a majority stake in SIGNON Österreich GmbH. The complex cross-border transaction was managed jointly with Austrian law firm DORDA (team led by Dr. Bernhard Rieder). Antitrust clearance is still pending. SIGNON Austria’s management team will continue to hold a significant stake in the company. The partnership is aimed at strengthening its position in a niche market and tapping additional growth potential.
SIGNON Österreich GmbH is a Vienna-based IT service provider specializing in mobility, infrastructure, and digitization. The company was founded under the name Evolit - Consulting by Paul Kleinrath and Dr. Christoph Bonelli in 2011. Two years later, a majority stake was acquired by TÜV SÜD group, making the company part of SIGNON group. SIGNON Österreich GmbH currently has more than 50 employees.
VR Equitypartner is one of the leading private equity financiers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The company supports medium-sized family businesses in solving complex financing issues. VR Equitypartner offers majority and minority shareholdings as well as mezzanine financing. As a subsidiary of DZ BANK, the company consistently prioritizes the sustainability of corporate development over a short-term exit philosophy. VR Equitypartner’s portfolio currently comprises some 100 investments with an investment volume of EUR 500 million.
The current acquisition is VR Equitypartner’s second investment in an IT service provider this year, on which by the team led by Dr. Rainer Herschlein and Benedikt Raisch advised (see ICS deal announcement).
Counsel to VR Equitypartner GmbH
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek:
Dr. Rainer Herschlein,
Benedikt Raisch (both M&A), both Stuttgart
DORDA:
Dr. Bernhard Rieder,
Lukas Schmidt (both M&A), both Vienna
