Apax Partners Explained

Apax Partners LLP
Type:Private
Location:London, England
Industry:Private equity
Venture capital
Products:Investments
Private equity funds
Leveraged buyouts
Growth capital
Key People:Andrew Sillitoe (co-CEO)
Mitch Truwit (co-CEO)[1]
Aum:US$77 billion[2]
Num Employees:100+

Apax Partners LLP is a British private equity firm, headquartered in London, England.[3] The company also operates out of six other offices in New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tel Aviv, Munich and Shanghai.[4] As of March 2024, the firm had raised and advised funds of approximately $77 billion (USD).[5] Apax Partners is one of the oldest and largest private equity firms operating on an international basis.[6]

Apax invests across four sectors: technology, internet/consumer, healthcare and services.[7] It looks for investments in a target Enterprise Value of $100mm – $5,000mm.

Apax raises capital for its investment funds through institutional investors including corporate and public pension funds, university and college endowments, foundations and fund of funds.

History

In 1972,[8] [9] Ronald Mourad Cohen and Maurice Tchénio founded the advisory firm Multinational Management Group (MMG) in London, Paris, and Chicago, marking the beginning of Apax Partners.[10] [11] In 1977, they formed a partnership with early venture capitalist Alan Patricof, who founded Patricof & Co in New York in 1969.[12] [13] The new firm would be known as Alan Patricof Associates (APA) and ultimately come to be known as Apax Partners (apax means "unique" in classical Greek).[14]

Throughout the 1980s, the firm grew steadily raising capital under a series of separate funds.[15] [16]

In 1991, Apax Partners became the official name for all of its European operations[17] however the U.S. business still operated under the Patricof & Co. name. By the mid-1990s Apax had become one of the larger private equity firms globally.

In 2001, Patricof & Co. adopted the Apax Partners branding and formalized its affiliation with its European business.[18] [19] In 2002, Apax Partners LLP was established.[20]

In 2005, Apax announced it would acquire middle market leveraged buyout firm Saunders Karp & Megrue to augment its buyout business in the United States.[21] [22] In March 2006, Alan Patricof left Apax.[23]

In 2006, Apax Partners in London and Apax Partners France in Paris became independent.[24] Apax Partners France rebranded to Seven2 in 2023.

Investments

Pre-2010

2010–2014

2015–2019

2020–present

Investment funds

!Fund!Vintage Year!Capital ($m)
Apax VIII[106] 2013$7,500
AMI Opportunities L.P.[107] 2015$500
Apax IX[108] 2016$9,000
Apax Digital Fund[109] 2017$1,000
Apax X[110] 2020$11,000
Apax Digital Fund II[111] 2023$1,750
Apax Global Impact[112] [113] 2023$877
Apax XI[114] 2024$12,000

Criticism

British United Shoe Machinery (2000)

The circumstances surrounding the demerger, transfer of assets and subsequent collapse of the British United Shoe Machinery in 2000 led to questions about Apax's behaviour being raised in Parliament by MPs of both main parties. After calls for an enquiry into the loss of hundreds of pensions were refused, Ros Altmann, the pensions expert and, as of 2015, UK Pensions minister described it "one of the worst cases ..I have seen ..the actions of the former owners - Apax have been immoral." The Member of Parliament Ashok Kumar said, "I think these people needed flogging ..these are greedy, selfish, capitalists who live on the backs of others."[115] [116]

Hellas Telecommunications (2015)

Following its sale of Wind Hellas in 2007, Apax and Hellas co-owner TPG were sued by former bondholders of the telecom company, who allege that Apax and TPG unjustifiably enriched themselves from Hellas and misrepresented the true state of its accounts. Apax has countered that some of these bondholders only began their dispute after passing up on the chance of selling prior to the bankruptcy of 2009, and that Apax sold the business in 2007 (almost three years before the bankruptcy) and so was not the legal owner of Hellas during the periods cited in some of the lawsuits. (In 2005 a New York judge awarded $56m to some of these bondholders, made against Hellas Telecommunications Finance and Hellas Finance, rather than Apax or TPG). Other lawsuits related to Apax and TPG's ownership of Hellas are being heard in the USA. In December 2015 a separate legal action brought by the liquidators of Hellas Telecommunications was dismissed by a Luxembourg court.[117] [118] [119] [120] [121] In February 2018 the liquidators abandoned their UK case against Apax and TPG after four days of trial.[122]

Notable persons

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.reuters.com/article/investment-apax-ceos/update-1-apax-partners-appoints-co-ceos-to-replace-halusa-idUSL5N0JK2EW20131205 "Apax Partners appoints co-CEOs to replace Halusa"
  2. https://www.themiddlemarket.com/news/apax-partners-raises-1b-tech-fund-investing-in-luxury-e-commerce-site "Apax Partners raises $1B tech fund, investing in luxury e-commerce site"
  3. https://www.ft.com/content/d21e38a8-eaa3-11df-b28d-00144feab49a "Apax sale marks VC exit"
  4. Web site: Apax – Offices. Webreality. www.webreality.co.uk. www.apax.com.
  5. Web site: Apax holds final close for eleventh global buyout fund . 2024-05-30 . www.apax.com . en.
  6. Web site: 2023-08-17 . Bazooka Candy Brands Sold for $700 Million . 2023-12-06 . ProFood World . en-us.
  7. Web site: Apax Partners Institution Profile Private Equity International . 2023-12-06 . www.privateequityinternational.com.
  8. Web site: Sánchez . Álvaro . 2023-06-28 . Sir Ronald Cohen, the founder of Apax Partners: ‘Capitalism hasn’t changed for more than 200 years, but now it’s changing’ . 2023-11-30 . EL PAÍS English . en-us.
  9. Web site: 2000-11-15 . Q: What have Dolly the sheep, Chris Evans and Britain's first . 2023-11-30 . The Independent . en.
  10. Web site: 2006-01-01 . Sir Ronald M. Cohen, MBA 1969 . 2024-02-25 . Harvard Business School Alumni . en.
  11. Web site: Maurice Tchenio . 2024-02-25 . Fondation AlphaOmega . en.
  12. Web site: 11 September 2007 . This old guy sure can pick 'em . 25 February 2024 . Money CNN.
  13. Web site: Legendary VC Alan Patricof says valuations still have further to fall . 2024-02-25 . Fortune . en.
  14. Web site: Globetrotter . 2023-10-31 . Forbes . en.
  15. Web site: Le Dfi Mondial . 2024-02-25 . Forbes . en.
  16. Web site: Ronald Cohen's Turn to Social Investing . 2024-02-25 . HBS Working Knowledge . en.
  17. Web site: APAX PARTNERS HOLDINGS LTD overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK . 2024-02-25 . find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk . en.
  18. Web site: Meikle . Brad . 2001-10-01 . Patricof & Co name change . 2024-02-25 . Buyouts . en-US.
  19. Web site: 10 September 2001 . Patricof Becomes Apax . 25 February 2024 . Light Reading.
  20. Web site: APAX PARTNERS LLP overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK . 2024-02-25 . find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk . en.
  21. News: 2005-02-25 . COMPANY NEWS; BRITISH BUYOUT FIRM BUYS OUT AMERICAN BUYOUT FIRM . 2024-02-25 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  22. News: Rayner . Abigail . 2024-02-25 . Apax’s US arm in merger . 2024-02-25 . The Sunday Times . en . 0140-0460.
  23. News: Sorkin . Andrew Ross . 2006-03-06 . New Fund for Prominent Investor . 2024-02-25 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  24. Web site: DNA . 2023-10-31 . Apax . en-GB.
  25. Web site: Yell.com History - 2000+ . Yell.com . 2008-01-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080208131527/http://www.yellgroup.com/english/aboutyell-yelluk-yellukhistory-2000 . 8 February 2008 . dead .
  26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1774061.stm Yell buys US directories
  27. https://web.archive.org/web/20030811113610/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_29/b3842142_mz035.htm Europe's IPO trickle could become a flood
  28. News: Apax Saban Arkin Group completes acquisition of controlling interest in leading Israeli telecom company Bezeq. 18 March 2012. Goliath. 1 October 2005.
  29. News: B Communications Closes Acquisition Of Controlling Interest In Bezeq . https://archive.today/20120911022302/http://www.rttnews.com/content/BreakingNews.aspx?Id=1268972 . dead . 11 September 2012 . 18 March 2012 . RTTNews . 14 April 2010 .
  30. News: Private equity firms make fresh bid for Inmarsat. Daily Telegraph. 19 March 2019. 20 March 2019. Harding. Latoya.
  31. Web site: Lockwood . Lisa . 2006-05-10 . Shareholders Approve Hilfiger-Apax Merger . 2023-12-20 . WWD . en-US.
  32. Web site: O'Connor . Clare . 2014-12-10 . Turnaround Tommy: How Hilfiger's Once-Dead Brand Had Its Biggest Year Ever . 2023-12-20 . Forbes . en.
  33. News: Bob helps HIT to build its profits. Sabbagh. Dan. 2006-10-31. The Times. 2018-06-29. en. 0140-0460.
  34. Web site: Consortium comprising funds advised by Apax Partners & Mivtach Shamir acquires Tnuva for $1.025 billion. apax. 7 January 2008. 12 March 2012.
  35. Web site: Fosun Capital mulls buying Meir Shamir's Tnuva stake - Globes English. Globes. 7 December 2014. he. 2017-08-20.
  36. Funds advised by Apax Partners agree to sell their majority stake in the TriZetto Corporation to Cognizant Technology Solutions. www.prnewswire.com. en. 2018-09-20.
  37. News: Apax Partners in the hunt for moneysupermarket. Harrington. Amanda Andrews and Ben. Daily Telegraph. 2010-10-31. 2018-09-20. en-GB. 0307-1235.
  38. News: Apax buys majority of Israel investment firm Psagot. 12 March 2012. Ynetnews. 11 January 2010. Reuters.
  39. Web site: TIVIT - Líder em serviços integrado de tecnologia e possui um portfólio único de soluções. TIVIT.
  40. News: Terms of Service Violation. Bloomberg.com. 10 May 2010. 2018-09-20.
  41. News: Apax Agrees to Acquire Sophos. 2 April 2014. WSJ. 4 May 2010. Ben. Worthen.
  42. Web site: Apax Partners to Acquire Trader Corporation's Auto Assets . Apax Partners . 2011-03-25 . 2013-08-05.
  43. Web site: Apax - Error. Webreality. www.webreality.co.uk. www.apax.com.
  44. Web site: Apax-led Consortium Agrees to Acquire Paradigm Ltd. . Apax Partners . 2012-06-11 . 2013-08-05.
  45. Web site: Garda announces agreement to be acquired by company Founder and CEO Stephan Cretier and Apax Funds . Apax Partners . 2012-11-07 . 2013-10-06.
  46. Web site: Apax Partners agrees to acquire Cole Haan . Apax Partners . 2012-11-16 . 2013-10-06.
  47. News: Guardian Media Group gets 600m for AutoTrader stake . The Daily Telegraph . 2014-01-21 . 2014-01-21 . London . Christopher . Williams.
  48. Web site: Apax-Linked Funds to Acquire Dutch Software Maker for $925 Million. 2014-10-09. The New York Times. 2016-12-08.
  49. Web site: Apax Partners closes buy of Exact for 730 mln euros. Dorbian. Iris. 2015-04-15. pehub.com. PE Hub Network. 2016-12-08.
  50. Web site: 2014-12-08 . Recommended cash offer by funds advised by Apax to acquire 100% of the shares of EVRY . 2014-12-09 . Apax Partners.
  51. https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/blog/morning-edition/2015/05/private-equity-firm-buys-quality-distribution-for.html "Private equity firm buys Quality Distribution for $800M,"
  52. Web site: 2015-07-24 . MergerLinks - Apax Partners acquired Idealista from Tiger Global Management, Kutxabank and Bonsai Venture Capital. . 2024-05-30 . app.mergerlinks.com.
  53. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rhiag-m-a-lkq/lkq-to-buy-italys-rhiag-to-boost-europe-auto-spares-business-idUSKBN0U51DC20151223 "LKQ to buy Italy's Rhiag to boost Europe auto spares business,"
  54. Web site: New owner for Dominion Marine Media. Boating Industry. 19 July 2016. Boating Industry. 3 October 2016.
  55. Web site: Funds advised by Apax Partners to acquire ThoughtWorks, Inc.. 23 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170823223442/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/funds-advised-by-apax-partners-to-acquire-thoughtworks-inc-300508642.html. 23 August 2017. dead.
  56. News: Clarke . Katherine . British Fashion Entrepreneurs Spend $24 Million on Modern Los Angeles Compound . . New York City, New York . December 18, 2017.
  57. News: Apax Funds invests $200 million in Fractal Analytics. January 17, 2019. Malvika. Joshi. February 12, 2020. Livemint.
  58. News: Apax Partners to acquire $200 mn stake in Fractal Analytics. Ranjani. Raghavan. January 16, 2019. February 12, 2020. VCcircle.
  59. Web site: Funds advised by Apax Partners complete the acquisition of Trade Me . Apax Partners . 11 May 2019.
  60. News: Apax Funds acquires Baltic Classifieds Group. 21 May 2019. AIM Group. 25 August 2021.
  61. Web site: Apax Partners Completes Coalfire Acquisition. Bureau. E. T.. 2020-04-24. EnterpriseTalk. en-US. 2020-04-25.
  62. Web site: Lunden . Ingrid . 2023-10-17 . Prove Identity nabs $40M at a $1B+ valuation to expand in mobile-based authentication tech . 2023-11-29 . TechCrunch . en-US.
  63. Web site: Payfone Raises $100 Million Led by the Apax Digital Fund . 2023-11-29 . www.prnewswire.com . en.
  64. News: Mendonça . Elisângela . Apax nets over fivefold return from €1.3bn Idealista sale . 2024-05-30 . en-GB.
  65. Web site: Apax Partners buys 3i Infotech product business. Apax. 2020-12-29. Apax. en-US. 2020-12-29.
  66. Web site: Baker . Katie . 2021-01-29 . Apax Partners acquires PIB Group . 2024-01-31 . ReinsuranceNe.ws . en.
  67. Web site: 5 Months After Selling, Apax Reinvests In Idealista . 2024-05-30 . www.onlinemarketplaces.com . en-US.
  68. Web site: Olenick . Doug . 13 February 2021 . M&A Update: Apax Partners to Acquire Herjavec Group . 2023-09-20 . www.bankinfosecurity.com . en.
  69. Web site: 2021-02-11 . Herjavec Group to be acquired by U.K.-based Apax Funds IT World Canada News . 2023-09-20 . www.itworldcanada.com . en-US.
  70. News: 2021-03-24 . Apax Nears Deal for $1.8 Billion German Eyewear Firm Rodenstock . en . Bloomberg.com . 2023-08-17.
  71. Web site: Apax Acquires Rodenstock . 2023-08-17 . mergr.com.
  72. Web site: 16 March 2021 . Funds advised by Apax to acquire Lutech . 31 January 2023 . Private Equity Wire.
  73. Web site: Harvey . Simon . 2021-06-22 . Pet-food business Nulo comes under new majority ownership . 2024-01-31 . Just Food . en-US.
  74. News: Apax Partners acquires Infogain from ChrysCapital . CNBCTV18 . 11 June 2021 . en.
  75. Web site: Apax Funds to acquire Infogain from ChrysCapital Apax Partners . www.apax.com . en.
  76. Web site: Apax Merges Software Firms for Non-Profits in $2 Billion Deal . Apax. 2021-08-03. Bloomberg. en-US. 2022-01-20.
  77. Web site: 2021-09-07 . Apax Funds and Warburg Pincus to acquire T-Mobile Netherlands . 2023-09-28 . Techzine Europe . en.
  78. Web site: T-Mobile acquired by two investors for €5.1 billion NL Times . 2023-09-28 . nltimes.nl . en.
  79. Web site: 13 September 2023 . Apax Funds acquires SavATree . 31 January 2024 . Lawn & Landscape.
  80. Web site: 29 October 2021 . Apax Buys Homeowner Services Group of American Water for $1.27B . 29 October 2023 . Mergers&Acquisitions.
  81. News: 2021-11-08 . Viasat buys Britain's Inmarsat in $7.3 billion satellite play . en . Reuters . 2023-10-31.
  82. News: Sweney . Mark . 2021-11-08 . UK satellite firm Inmarsat agrees $7.3bn takeover by US rival Viasat . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-10-31 . 0261-3077.
  83. Web site: Apax Partners rebrands to Seven2 . 2023-10-31 . Real Deals . en.
  84. Web site: 13 December 2016 . Apax, Nordic conduct Unilabs deal . 31 October 2023 . PitchBook.
  85. News: 2021-12-03 . Maersk-owner to acquire Unilabs from Apax Partners . en . Reuters . 2023-10-31.
  86. Web site: 14 February 2022 . Apax Acquires Ole Smoky Distillery . 17 November 2023 . Mergers&Acquisitions.
  87. Web site: Brooker . Alice . 2022-02-14 . Ole Smoky Distillery sells stake to Apax . 2023-11-17 . The Spirits Business . en-GB.
  88. Web site: McCarthy . Sebastian . Inflexion and Apax shake hands in £600m deal for Alcumus . 2024-02-25 . www.penews.com . en-GB.
  89. Web site: Segal . Mark . 2022-02-11 . Apax Acquires Controlling Stake in ESG & EHS Risk Management Provider Alcumus at £600M+ Valuation . 2024-02-25 . ESG Today . en-US.
  90. Web site: 2022-10-28 . PE firm Apax to sell Boasso Global to KKR . 2023-12-31 . Bulk Transporter.
  91. Web site: Dorbian . Iris . 2022-10-06 . KKR to acquire ISO tank services provider Boasso Global from Apax . 2023-12-31 . PE Hub . en-US.
  92. Web site: 15 May 2023 . Blackstone sells stake worth $450 mn in SaaS firm IBS Software to Apax . 31 January 2024 . Business Standard.
  93. Web site: 31 July 2023 . Apax to acquire co-controlling stake in Palex Medical . 31 January 2024 . Reuters.
  94. Web site: 14 August 2023 . Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner Strikes Deal to Sell Bazooka Gum Business . 31 January 2023 . The Wall Street Journal.
  95. Web site: Joseph . Irien . 2023-10-26 . Apax Partners agrees to invest in GAN Integrity . 2024-04-14 . PE Hub Europe . en-GB.
  96. Web site: Dorbian . Iris . 2023-11-14 . Apax Digital Funds leads over $100m in vet and pet services software provider Petvisor . 2024-04-14 . PE Hub . en-US.
  97. Web site: Apax Partners acquires OCS and Finwave . 2024-04-28 . Real Deals . en.
  98. Web site: 15 December 2023 . Private equity dives into datacenters; dry powder hits another record high . 28 April 2024 . S&P Global.
  99. Web site: A&O Advises Apax Fund On £700M Consumer Trend Biz Buy - Law360 . 2024-04-28 . www.law360.com . en.
  100. Web site: Ascential completes sale of WGSN as focus shifts to events business . 2024-04-28 . Exhibition World . en.
  101. Web site: Panettieri . Joe . 2024-02-29 . M&A: Private Equity Firm Apax Partners Acquires Climate Tech Consultancy IES . 2024-06-04 . Sustainable Tech Partner for Green IT Service Providers . en-US.
  102. Web site: 2024-02-28 . Funds advised by Apax to acquire Integrated Environmental Solutions . 2024-06-04 . www.londonstockexchange.com . en.
  103. Web site: 9 April 2018 . Funds advised by Apax Partners acquire Healthium MedTech Private Limited . 30 May 2024 . Private Equity Wire.
  104. Web site: 2024-05-06 . KKR to Acquire Indian Medical Device Maker Healthium From Apax . 2024-05-30 . www.bloomberg.com.
  105. Web site: KKR Acquires Healthium MedTech in $839 Million Deal, Expanding Healthcare Portfolio . 2024-05-30 . Bru Times News . en.
  106. Web site: 2013-06-24 . Apax VIII holds final close on €5.8bn Unquote . 2024-08-09 . www.unquote.com . en.
  107. Web site: Dorbian . Iris . 2015-12-01 . Apax Partners closes $500 mln for Israeli midmarket PE fund . 2024-08-09 . PE Hub . en-US.
  108. Web site: December 8, 2017 . Apax Partners raises $1B tech fund, investing in luxury e-commerce site . 2024-08-08 . The Middle Market.
  109. Web site: Leach . Kamaron . December 8, 2017 . Apax Partners raises $1B tech fund, investing in luxury e-commerce site . 2024-08-09 . The Middle Market.
  110. Web site: 2024-04-11 . Side Letter: Apax's $12bn close . 2024-08-08 . Private Equity International . en-GB.
  111. Web site: September 24, 2021 . Apax closes Apax Digital Fund II at USD1.75bn hard cap . 2024-08-09 . Private Equity Wire.
  112. Web site: 18 January 2024 . Apax closes $900m impact fund focussed on sustainability . 2024-08-09 . Funds Europe.
  113. Web site: 2023 Annual Report and Accounts – Company Announcement - FT.com . 2024-08-09 . markets.ft.com.
  114. Web site: 2024-04-11 . Side Letter: Apax's $12bn close . 2024-08-09 . Private Equity International . en-GB.
  115. News: Private equity stole our pensions. Nick Mathiason. Observer Newspapers. 10 June 2007. 9 June 2014. London.
  116. Web site: House of Commons Debate on Deferred pensions, 17 January 2006, c234WH. Theyworkforyou.com. 8 December 2015.
  117. Web site: William Louch. Luxembourg court rules in favour of Apax, TPG in Hellas case. efinancialnews.com/. 14 January 2016. 24 December 2015.
  118. Web site: Kleyr Grasso. Hellas case: Court rejects claim - 5 January 2016. Lexology.com. Globe Business Publishing Ltd. 14 January 2016. 5 January 2016.
  119. Web site: Greek drama: Telecom focus of bloody PE fight. Lawrence. Delevingne. . 20 November 2014.
  120. News: Another Greek tragedy. The Economist. 2015-12-23. 0013-0613.
  121. News: Letters. The Economist. 23 July 2015. 2015-12-23.
  122. https://www.debtwire.com/intelligence/view/prime-2591557 "COURT: Hellas Telecommunications liquidators abandon lawsuit against Apax and TPG, costs hearing week of 5 March,"