Bridgepoint and Bowmark Capital have agreed to sell Helio Intelligence, a provider of AI-enabled political intelligence and public affairs monitoring services across Europe, to ECI Partners. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval, and financial terms were not disclosed.
As part of the deal, Bridgepoint will reinvest in Helio as a minority shareholder through its small-cap fund, Bridgepoint Growth II, alongside ECI. The fund focuses on supporting the growth of technology-enabled businesses across Europe.
Founded in 1998 and previously known as DeHavilland, Helio Intelligence provides political monitoring, regulatory tracking, and public affairs intelligence services across the UK and Europe. The company combines more than 25 years of political monitoring data with expert analysis and AI-powered tools to help organizations understand evolving political, regulatory, and policy developments.
Today, Helio serves more than 1,000 customers, including corporations, nonprofit organizations, and investment firms. Its platform delivers real-time political intelligence through interactive dashboards, analytical reports, and strategic advisory services.
Since Bridgepoint’s initial investment in 2021 and Bowmark Capital’s entry as an equal investment partner in 2023, Helio has expanded both its geographic footprint and service offerings. The company completed four strategic acquisitions during that period and more than tripled its revenue and profit. It also introduced dedicated coverage of key geopolitical sectors, including energy, digital assets, and defense.
ECI Partners plans to support management as the company pursues additional growth opportunities within the expanding political intelligence and public policy information market. The firm’s Origination Team will utilize its AI-powered M&A platform, Amplifind™360, to help advance Helio’s acquisition strategy within the fragmented political intelligence sector.
Support: The transaction involved a range of advisors. Bridgepoint and Bowmark were advised by Raymond James on M&A matters, alongside Taylor Wessing and Stephenson Harwood for legal counsel, Oliver Wyman for commercial advisory services, Crosslake for technology advisory work, and BDO for financial and tax advice. ECI was advised by Arma, Squire Patton Boggs, Simon-Kucher, Alvarez & Marsal, Artefact, and EY. Helio Intelligence was advised by Arrowpoint and Marriott Harrison.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are proud to have worked with Helio’s management team and our partner Bridgepoint to successfully grow the business through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, powered by exceptional leadership, political expertise and AI-first technology.”
David Torbet, Partner, Bowmark Capital
“Helio has transformed since we first invested, and we’re delighted to be continuing our partnership with the company as we reinvest. With Bowmark, we have supported the team in increasing revenues through product innovation, investment in technology and enhancement of its client proposition, and the company is now ideally placed to capitalise on its unique position in a dynamic market, delivering best-in-class political insight to its customers.”
Duncan Calam, Partner and Head of Bridgepoint Growth, Bridgepoint
“Helio has built an impressive position as the go-to provider of political intelligence and monitoring services across Europe. As we continue to operate in increasingly complex political environments, we see their standout AI-powered platform as having fantastic momentum, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Andrew and the team during this exciting next stage.”
Toby Fitzherbert, Investment Director, ECI Partners
“Today is a significant milestone and I want to acknowledge both the dedication of our team in helping achieve that, as well as Bowmark and Bridgepoint’s support and expertise along the way. We are delighted to be partnering with ECI for the next phase of growth and look forward to working with them as we scale further into the growing global political intelligence market and continue to enhance our best-in-market insights and data.”
Andrew Himsley, CEO, Helio Intelligence
