EQT announced that it has signed a share purchase agreement to invest approximately $930 million into Douzone Bizon, a provider of enterprise resource planning and business software solutions in South Korea.
The investment will be made through a vehicle managed by EQT and is subject to customary regulatory approvals, including merger control clearance from the Korea Fair Trade Commission and licensing authorization from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Resources.
Upon completion, EQT will acquire a 37.6% stake in Douzone Bizon, which includes the full 23.2% stake held by Chairman Young-woo Kim and a 14.4% stake held by affiliates of Shinhan Financial Group. Based on shares issued, including treasury shares, this would represent a 34.8% position in the company.
Founded in 1991, Douzone Bizon serves small and medium-sized enterprises in South Korea through its cloud and software-based offerings. The company’s platform extends across enterprise resource planning, tax and accounting systems, compliance solutions, and communication tools.
EQT stated that the transaction reflects its long-term strategic commitment to South Korea and highlights its accelerating momentum across Asia this year. In line with its investment approach, EQT intends to support Douzone Bizon over an extended timeframe, prioritizing internal growth, operational strengthening, and business development before seeking improvements in financial performance.
The deal is also expected to place BPEA Private Equity Fund IX at approximately 5% to 10% invested, based on its hard cap fund size and factoring in closed and signed investments, public offers, and potential syndication, subject to regulatory approval.
