Acquisition of Ariadne Group by DGS - 2024 press release
What is the DGS news of June 17, 2024?
DGS S.p.A. has completed the acquisition of Ariadne Group S.r.l. The press release, issued from Milan on June 17, 2024, announces the transaction through which DGS, a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital, strengthens its presence in the Italian ICT market and expands its offering in Open-Source technologies and digital communication.
Who is Ariadne Group?
Ariadne Group S.r.l. is a company based in Pavia active in the Italian Information Technology market. The company specializes in system integration and digital communication services and bases its services on Open-Source collaboration platforms, a segment described as rapidly growing and strategic in the ICT sector in Italy.
Ariadne’s offering includes:
- development of complex B2B/B2C portals;
- intranet and digital workplace solutions;
- e-learning systems;
- digital marketing services.
The company serves a blue-chip client base operating mainly in the financial services, fashion & luxury, publishing, and education sectors.
What are the effects of the acquisition for DGS?
According to Vincenzo Fiengo, Co-CEO of DGS, the transaction makes the DGS Group the largest system integrator in Italy specialized in Open-Source Liferay technology. The acquisition also strengthens DGS’s strategic partnership with leading industry players and expands its offering with fast-growing technologies of strategic importance in the ICT world such as Moodle.
In the press release, Fiengo therefore highlights two key elements: the strengthening of DGS’s market position and the expansion of its expertise on strategic Open-Source platforms.
What did Ariadne’s founders say?
Ariadne’s founders, Marcello Ricotti, Marcello Torriani, and Giuseppe De Donno, described joining DGS as an exciting step consistent with the Group’s growth. Their statement highlights the strengthening of the Group’s presence in the Digital Transformation & Communication space and the cross-selling opportunities with the other companies in the DGS Group.
“We are excited to become part of a dynamic and fast-growing group like DGS. This partnership will strengthen the Group’s presence in the Digital Transformation & Communication space, with complementary offerings and important cross-selling opportunities with the other companies in the DGS Group”.
What is H.I.G. Capital’s comment?
Raffaele Legnani, Managing Director of H.I.G. Capital in Italy, said that with Ariadne joining the DGS Group, DGS strengthens its market position as one of the Italian leaders in the ICT sector. The statement from the international investment firm is part of the transaction framework in which DGS is a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital.
The text also states that H.I.G. Capital is an international investment fund with $64 billion of capital under management.
“With Ariadne joining the Group, DGS strengthens its market position as one of the Italian leaders in the ICT sector”.
Who advised the parties in the transaction?
H.I.G. and DGS were advised by Spada Partners and the law firm Eversheds Sutherland. Ariadne was advised by EQUITA Mid Cap Advisory, part of Gruppo Equita and the exclusive Italian member of Clairfield International, as well as by the law firm PedersoliGattai.
The press release therefore clearly identifies the advisors involved in the different stages of the acquisition, distinguishing between the buyer side and the acquired company side.
Who is DGS?
DGS is based in Rome and has been operating for over 25 years in the ICT services market for public and private companies. The company specializes in digital solutions for business process transformation, cybersecurity services, and management advisory. The activities mentioned include application system integration projects and proprietary applications.
The group has historically supported large clients that are leaders in their respective sectors, ensuring high technical standards thanks to more than 1,600 employees with 1,500 IT certifications and long-standing partnerships with the leading global software and application vendors. For more information, the press release refers to the website www.dgsspa.com.
Who is H.I.G. Capital?
H.I.G. Capital is one of the leading international investment firms in private equity and alternative assets, with over $52 billion in capital under management. Based in Miami, it has offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Bogota in the United States and Latin America, and in Europe in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Paris, and Milan.
The fund specializes in providing capital and financing to small and medium-sized businesses with a flexible, industrial, and value-creation-oriented approach. The press release also lists the group’s main investment areas:
- private equity funds for management buyouts, recapitalizations, and carve-outs;
- debt funds for senior, unitranche, and junior instruments;
- real estate funds for value-add assets;
- infrastructure fund focused on value-add and core plus investments.
Since 1993, the year it was founded, H.I.G. Capital has invested in and managed more than 300 companies worldwide. Its current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined revenue of over €30 billion.
* Based on total capital commitments managed by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates
Where can the press release be downloaded?
The press release is available in PDF for download. The link on the page allows users to download the full document announcing the acquisition of Ariadne Group by DGS.
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