The group Comet Software continues its rise with the establishment of a acquisition line of 40 million euros nearAres Managementa global player in private debt financing. A year and a half after a first fundraising 60 million euros from Alpera Partnersthe group founded by Axel Jonsson And Damien Duquesne stands out as a new model of consolidation of European softwarebased on trust, local autonomy and shared value.
The exclusive interview with Axel Jonsson, CEO of Comet Software, on the group’s vision and ambitions.
An acquisition line to accelerate consolidation in Europe
With this line of 40 million euros granted by Ares ManagementComet Software equips itself with the necessary means to accelerate its external growth plan. The group, which already operates in several B2B software verticals, plans tointensify its acquisition activity in France while starting its European development.
This operation takes place in a context where the model buy & build is establishing itself as a major lever for consolidating software markets in Europe. Comet Software stands out with a long term positioning and one financial discipline which attracted its investors.
“This financing from Ares Management gives us the means to accelerate our European development, while remaining faithful to our DNA: building, alongside passionate entrepreneurs, a sustainable group that combines local autonomy, operational excellence and value sharing. »
— Axel Jonsson, co-founder and CEO of Comet Software.
An entrepreneurial model based on trust and co-creation
At the heart of the Comet Software project, a key principle: unite without absorbing. Each editor who joins the group keeps its operational independenceits corporate culture and its market strategywhile accessing a set of shared resources:
- strategic and financial support,
- marketing and sales support,
- expertise in human resources and recruitment,
- implementation of artificial intelligence solutions to strengthen performance.
The model is also based on a logic of co-shareholding : founders and managers who join Comet Software become shareholders of the groupparticipating directly in the creation of value on a collective scale.
“This operation confirms the solidity of the Comet model and the attractiveness of our platform among leading international financial players. It allows us to continue to invest in new publishers while maintaining a robust financial structure. »
— Damien Duquesne, CFO of Comet Software.
An ecosystem of nine publishers already integrated
In eighteen months, Comet Software has integrated nine companies in his portfolio, totaling more than 30 million euros in turnover And 250 employees. Among them:
- Volume Software And TreeDIMspecialized in packaging and the graphics industry,
- Treat Mededicated to the digitalization of pharmacies,
- StatigestCRM designer for mass distribution,
- Cover 3Dpublisher of solutions for exterior carpentry.
The group today has more than 8,500 customers and aims 100 million euros in revenue by 2027while continuing to operate according to a model decentralized and sustainable.
An alliance between private equity and growth debt
The combination of financingAlpera Partners and the acquisition debt ofAres Management illustrates a capital structuring typical of groups in an acceleration phase. It allows Comet Software to support its acquisitions without dilution of capital and to anchor a long-term investment logic.
“In just one and a half years, Comet Software has established itself as a leading consolidator in the field of business software, supported by an experienced team and a strong entrepreneurial culture. »
— Zineb Benkiran, Managing Director, Ares Management.
Towards a European champion of business software
The stated ambition is to build a European reference group in business software, relying on a long-term vision and entrepreneurial governance.
