European online solutions provider Your.World announced that it has received €800 million in long-term partnership capital in the form of preferred equity from Ares Management Credit funds and Carlyle. Launched in 2016 by Strikwerda Investments, Your.World emerged as a leading European web hosting provider, online productivity, and managed IT services. And its growth has been driven by its serial acquirer model based on high quality, sustainable value creation and scalable M&A across verticals and geographies.
The company employs over 2,000 people, operates 45 distinct brands, and serves over one million customers through its Your.Online and Your.Cloud divisions.
By combining disciplined capital allocation and a decentralized operating model, Your.World has established itself as a key player in the European SME segment. Your.World’s serviceable addressable segment has expanded considerably in the last five years, accompanied by a corresponding increase in its M&A opportunities. The company anticipates additional growth opportunities in the future.
J.P. Morgan acted as exclusive financial adviser and sole placement agent, and A&O Shearman acted as legal advisor to Strikwerda Investments and Your.World regarding the strategic investment from Ares and Carlyle.
KEY QUOTES:
“As Your.World pursues its long-term ambitions, we are pleased to welcome the additional partnership capital and expertise from two leading global investors, Ares and Carlyle. Their financial and strategic support reinforces our ability to drive accelerated growth while continuing to deliver high-quality solutions and services to our customers. We look forward to seizing the opportunities that lie ahead.”
- Robin van Poelje, CEO of Your.World
“We are excited to be investing in Your.World as it enters its next chapter of growth. The combination of Your.World’s demonstrated history of execution, sector leadership, strong management and robust M&A pipeline underscore our conviction in its ability to generate significant value over the long-term. We look forward to working with Robin, Strikwerda Investments, Carlyle, and the Your.World team as they continue to differentiate themselves in the online solutions sector.”
- James Kim, Partner and Head of European Opportunistic Credit at Ares
“We are delighted to provide this strategic capital financing to Your.World. The business is a leader in a resilient and fragmented market, and we believe there is significant white space for the company to continue to pursue their successful M&A strategy as they further accelerate growth.”
- Taj Sidhu, Head of European and Asian Private Credit at Carlyle
