Enterprise Investors acquired Noriel in 2016 for an undisclosed amount. At the time, it was a family-owned company backed by a financial investor. It operated a network of 47 shops. As part of the deal, EI provided Noriel with EUR 2 million in funding to boost its growth.

Today, the company is a robust omnichannel business with 88 modern stores located all across Romania. Noriel is a top brand on the Romanian toy market – a one-stop-shop for kids and their parents. The company offers the broadest assortment of toys, games and other baby products in the country. Its fast-growing, scalable e-store with an even broader product offering and highly efficient fulfillment function is a perfect platform for entering new markets, as evidenced by the company’s recent expansion to Bulgaria. Noriel’s modern CRM and loyalty systems put it at an advantage over local competitors. The company’s solid sales growth confirms its strong position: in 2022 Noriel is expected reach revenues of RON 312 million, its highest result to date.

“We are proud to be part of Noriel’s journey toward market-leading retail and e-commerce formats that provide the best shopping experience. Today, this is the only player in Romania to offer a true omnichannel service that maximizes online and offline synergies,” said Dariusz Pietrzak, a vice president at Enterprise Investors, who is responsible for the investment. “A shift in preferences toward innovative, entertaining and educational products will further benefit Noriel thanks to the company’s strong product development and sourcing capabilities,” he added.

Enterprise Investors is one of the largest private equity firms in Central and Eastern Europe. Active since 1990, the firm has raised nine funds with total capital exceeding EUR 2.5 billion. These funds have invested EUR 2.2 billion in 151 companies across a range of sectors and exited 136 companies with total gross proceeds of EUR 4.2 billion. Noriel was EI’s seventh investment in Romania. The firm continues to actively pursue new deal opportunities on the Romanian market across a broad range of sectors.

For further information please contact:
Anna Czywczyńska, Communications & Public Affairs Director
tel.: +48 22 458 8500
www.ei.com.pl

Lonia Trgovina is a chain of 300 grocery retail stores operating in continental Croatia. Seventy-five of its shops are in the Zagreb metropolitan area, where Studenac has only a handful of stores. The acquisition will complement Studenac’s geographic coverage and will transform the company into a fully fledged nationwide player with the highest number of stores.

Enterprise Investors acquired Studenac in August 2018. At the time, the chain numbered over 380 shops located predominantly on the Croatian coastline and islands, with a hub in Dalmatia. Studenac subsequently integrated five large add-ons – Istarski Supermarketi and Sonik in 2019, Bure in 2021 and Pemo and Lonia in 2022 – as well as several smaller targets with fewer stores. The acquisitions, jointly valued at over EUR 120 million, added 595 shops to the chain. The company has also been growing organically and is on track to complete 100 store openings in 2022. After taking over Lonia, the Studenac chain will have more than 1,050 shops and countrywide coverage. The company’s dominant position is reflected in its strong financial results – the merged company is set to generate revenues in excess of EUR 500 million in 2022.

“I am extremely proud of the results of the hard work my team and I have put into this project. When we took over Studenac in 2018 we had an ambitious plan to become the number one player in Croatia. It took us three years to become by far the largest proximity supermarket chain in the region. We are no longer the brand of choice only for tourists visiting the Adriatic riviera but also for the many Croatians who do their quick daily shopping under the Studenac brand,” said Michał Seńczuk, Studenac’s CEO.

“We have injected over EUR 260 million into Croatia’s grocery retail and plan to continue investing in this sector. We are delighted with the results attained by Michał Seńczuk and his team and are convinced the company will keep growing in the years to come,” added Enterprise Investors partner Michał Kędzia, who is leading this investment. “The change we brought to Studenac is both quantitative and qualitative. Today, a Studenac store is a place where you can conveniently do your quick daily shopping, enjoy a coffee and snack on-the-go, collect deliveries and pay utility bills. Studenac is clearly raising the quality of proximity shopping to the next level,” he concluded.

Enterprise Investors is one of the largest private equity firms in Central and Eastern Europe. Active since 1990, the firm has raised nine funds with total capital exceeding EUR 2.5 billion. These funds have invested EUR 2.2 billion in 151 companies across a range of sectors and exited 135 companies with total gross proceeds of EUR 4.2 billion.

For further information please contact:
Anna Czywczyńska, Communications & Public Affairs Director
tel.: +48 22 458 8500
www.ei.com.pl

Ekoenergetyka is a Polish technology company offering unique solutions for the global market. Its main activity is the design and production of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles used in public and commercial transport, as well as private cars. The electromobility sector has grown rapidly in recent years, propelled by technological developments and more environmentally conscious customer choices. A stable, widely available and, above all, technologically advanced charging infrastructure is needed to keep up this growth momentum and meet the market’s present and future requirements. Ekoenergetyka is one of just a few players in the world offering such solutions.

Established by Mr. Bartosz Kubik and Mr. Maciej Wojeński in 2009, Ekoenergetyka grew out of an academic research project. Today, the company is a leading provider of advanced high-power charging solutions and has the potential to go global. Its products and services have been implemented in the largest European cities, including in Barcelona, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Paris and Warsaw. Thanks to its continually expanding R&D capabilities, superior research facilities and first-class production equipment, Ekoenergetyka is the technological leader in the field and successfully competes with international peers. Product development – from R&D through design and construction to sales and marketing – is carried out in-house. Ekoenergetyka also offers a broad range of maintenance and after-sales services that include 24/7 monitoring of charging stations and remote customer support in Polish, English and German. The company is led by a young management team with the right mix of vision, expertise and motivation to execute their ambitious expansion plan.

“We strongly believe in the electromobility sector’s dynamic growth and are very impressed by Ekoenergetyka’s innovation and technological sophistication as well as by how the company is commercializing its solutions,” said EI partner Sebastian Król, who is in charge of the deal. “The company’s unique experience and flexibility as well as the high quality of its products are appreciated by the most demanding customers in Poland and abroad. Ekoenergetyka’s solutions have been selected and implemented by the largest public transport operators in Poland and Europe, as well as by the major charging and fuel distribution networks. Thus the company is helping shape the development of this extremely fast-growing young market. This is an advantage we plan to use to reinforce Ekoenergetyka’s leading position,” he added.

“We decided to team up with Enterprise Investors to benefit from their experience in developing young entrepreneurial companies that are in a rapid growth phase. Ekoenergetyka is planning swift expansion, primarily in foreign markets. For this next step in our company’s development we sought a strong financial partner that would support us with both capital and experience. Now we can focus on becoming the number one player in the market,” said Bartosz Kubik, Ekoenergetyka’s co-founder.

“With Enterprise Investors’ support we intend to continue growing dynamically and developing our technological, production and organizational potential even faster, to build the best solutions for the zero-emissions transport of the future. Customer satisfaction at every stage is our priority, so I am pleased we have a partner with whom we will achieve our most ambitious goals in terms of production, service and maintaining our systems at peak efficiency,” added Maciej Wojeński, co-founder of Ekoenergetyka.

Enterprise Investors was supported on the legal side by DLA Piper Giziński, Kycia sp. j.; Ekoenergetyka-Polska and its founders were represented by the law firm Rubicon Kancelaria Radców Prawnych i Adwokatów Barbara Łągiewka sp. k.

Enterprise Investors is one of the largest private equity firms in Central and Eastern Europe. Active since 1990, the firm has raised nine funds with total capital exceeding EUR 2.5 billion. These funds have invested EUR 2.2 billion in 151 companies across a range of sectors and exited 135 companies with total gross proceeds of EUR 4.2 billion.

For further information please contact:
Anna Czywczyńska, Communications & Public Affairs Director
tel.: +48 22 458 8500
www.ei.com.pl
Konrad Mielewczyk, Marketing and PR Manager
contact@ekoenergetyka.com.pl
tel.: +48 68 328 2068
www.ekoenergetyka.com.pl

FinGO is an innovative financial services intermediary with a multi-channel distribution platform. The company sells mortgages and life insurance primarily, but also investments, pension savings and non-life insurance. It was founded in Slovakia in 2017 with the aim of building a technology-based ecosystem. The idea was to connect all the major financial institutions (e.g. banks, insurance providers and savings companies) with end customers, thus optimizing their choices. Thanks to FinGO’s unique business model users can compare complex products online, gain a better overview of what is available on the market and make more informed decisions. After running an initial analysis through the online platform they are served by one of FinGOo’s more than 1,000 exclusive agents, who can usually offer them an even better deal. FinGO gives its network of agents the best combination of commissions and product selection, comprehensive CRM system and back-office functions as well as extensive product and marketing support.

Thanks to its unique online lead-sharing platform and rapidly growing network of agents, FinGO is now the fastest-growing financial intermediary in Slovakia. This year the company expanded into Czechia, where it aims to replicate its successful business model. FinGO’s sound market position is reflected in its strong financial results – in 2021 the company plans to top EUR 23 million in revenues.

“We are convinced that the market of third-party financial product intermediation in Slovakia and Czechia will grow steadily in the coming years. FinGO was the first player to address the growing needs of customers looking to compare complex and high-value financial products online. Our plan is to build on this innovation and tap prevailing trends. We want to grow the business both organically and through acquisitions,” said EI managing partner Dariusz Prończuk, who is responsible for this investment.

“FinGO provides a very complex service. The company helps customers find optimal solutions at reasonable prices that would not be available to them without such intermediation. Through its marketplace FinGO also provides agents with new customer leads and other useful tools – not available elsewhere – that make their work more efficient,” added Martin Chocholáček, a vice president at Enterprise Investors who is responsible for the firm’s activity in Slovakia.

“I highly value the Enterprise Investors team’s trust and their appreciation of FinGO’s unique concept. Thanks to their investment, we can not only start building a major player in the Czech market but also develop and expand the largest digital broker in Slovakia. With this strong partnership we will continue our journey of digitizing financial intermediation to build the broker of the future. EI’s extensive experience, not just in the financial sector, will certainly be a valuable asset for FinGO,” said Lukáš Novák, the company’s founder and chairman.

Enterprise Investors is one of the largest private equity firms in Central and Eastern Europe. Active since 1990, the firm has raised nine funds with total capital exceeding EUR 2.5 billion. These funds have invested EUR 2.1 billion in 150 companies across a range of sectors and exited 135 companies with total gross proceeds of EUR 4.2 billion.

For further information please contact:
Anna Czywczyńska, Communications & Public Affairs Director
tel.: +48 22 458 8500
www.ei.com.pl

Focus Garden was established in 2007 and was initially engaged solely in the import and distribution of garden furniture. Over time, the company developed an e-store in line with the prevailing retail trends. Today, focusgarden.pl is one of Poland’s largest specialist retailers focused on outdoor living. Its offer includes a wide selection of garden and patio furniture as well as other outdoor accessories, most of which – thanks to the company’s well-organized purchasing and logistics department – are available immediately.

Focus Garden operates in a very promising specialty retail niche in which it already holds a leading position. This is reflected in its good financial results – in 2021, the company’s revenues will exceed EUR 13 million.

“The funds we manage have invested over EUR 350 million in 17 companies operating in the retail sector, including e-commerce. We intend to use this extensive experience to support the further development of Focus Garden,” said Bartosz Kwiatkowski, a partner at Enterprise Investors who is responsible for this investment.

Commenting on the transaction, Sławomir Czajkowski, the founder of Focus Garden, said: “I am proud that the company I created has secured a strong investor who will help us reinforce its position in its current market and successfully enter new ones.”

Enterprise Investors is one of the largest private equity firms in Central and Eastern Europe. Active since 1990, the firm has raised nine funds with total capital exceeding EUR 2.5 billion. These funds have invested EUR 2.1 billion in 149 companies across a range of sectors and exited 135 companies with total gross proceeds of EUR 4.2 billion.

For further information please contact:
Anna Czywczyńska, Communications & Public Affairs Director
tel.: +48 22 458 8500
www.ei.com.pl

Snap Outdoor is a distributor of mountain sports equipment and runs 8a.pl, the undisputed leader among specialty online retailers. 8a.pl trades apparel, footwear and accessories for outdoor activities and mountain sports such as climbing and ski touring. The company has two brick and mortar stores (in Warsaw and Gliwice, southern Poland), with a third location (in Katowice, southern Poland) due to open shortly. Snap Outdor was founded in 2001 in Gliwice, where its headquarters and logistics center are still located.

The company operates in a very promising market niche that is fueled by healthy lifestyle trends, the increasing popularity of outdoor sports (including mountain sports) and the rising disposable income of Poles. The outdoor sector is expected to continue its dynamic growth in the coming years.

8a.pl stands out from its competitors with its well curated assortment built around tourism and mountain sports. The company strategy is to offer only masstige and premium brands, which are otherwise not widely available. It also has the largest product availability among outdoor equipment specialists in Poland. Strong financial results confirm Snap Outdoor’s leading market position – revenues topped EUR 16 million in 2020, while this year they are expected to exceed EUR 23 million.

“We are convinced that Snap Outdoor’s business model can be successfully replicated in other CEE markets, which in most cases lack a clear market leader in outdoor e-tailing. Thanks to its broad experience in the specialized online retail sector and excellent logistics, the company can become a consolidation platform for other niche e-commerce segments,” said Enterprise Investors Partner Michał Kedzia, who is responsible for the firm’s investments in the retail sector, including Intersport ISI and Snap Outdoor.

“The greatest advantage of our online business is the broad base of returning customers, most of whom are passionate about mountain sports. With every product on the market being just one click away, this proves our strategy and focus on high quality have been key contributors to our success. We plan to make our offer available to mountain lovers from other countries of the region. Our goal is to become the favorite brand for outdoor enthusiasts in Central and Eastern Europe,” emphasized Piotr Czmoch, cofounder of Snap Outdoor.

Enterprise Investors is one of the largest private equity firms in Central and Eastern Europe. Active since 1990, the firm has raised nine funds with total capital exceeding EUR 2.5 billion. These funds have invested EUR 2 billion in 148 companies across a range of sectors and exited 135 companies with total gross proceeds of EUR 4.2 billion.

For further information please contact:
Anna Czywczyńska, Communications & Public Affairs Director
tel.: +48 22 458 8500
www.ei.com.pl

Modular System is the undisputed market leader in the production of multi-function turnkey containers and modular systems based on the steel frame technology – the winning solution for temporary non-residential structures (e.g. office buildings, portable staff facilities, military containers). In contrast to traditional construction methods, this technology enables swift, flexible deployment at a fixed cost. It also allows for a high degree of prefabrication.

Modular System’s products are reliable, have a wide range of applications and represent good value for money. As a result, the company is developing dynamically and enlarging its geographical footprint in response to the needs of new market niches. Since 2020 Modular System has reaped the benefits of having a well-equipped and highly efficient new production plant in central Poland. The company’s strong market position is reflected by its excellent financial results. Revenues reached EUR 30 million last year, while in 2021 the company plans to almost double that figure.

“Paweł Brudnicki and Mariusz Brudnicki, the company’s founders, are directly responsible for Modular System’s spectacular success. We are convinced that their entrepreneurial approach, extensive sector knowledge and broad experience will allow us to jointly make the best use of the favorable trends in the construction industry and the advantageous macroeconomic conditions,” said EI partner Michał Kędzia, who is responsible for this transaction. “We expect container and modular technologies to increase in popularity in the years to come, translating into a strong demand for this type of construction. We believe Modular System will not only strengthen its leading position in Poland but will become a regional champion,” he added.

“We are proud that our company has attracted a strong PE investor. Thanks to EI’s backing we now plan to grow at an even faster pace, both by entering new markets and by expanding our offering in those sectors and geographies in which we are already present,” said Paweł Brudnicki, CEO of Modular System.

“Enterprise Investors’ strong track record in the construction industry, including the prefabrication segment, was an important factor in our decision-making process. Together, we plan to replicate this success in the utility containers and modular systems sector,” added Mariusz Brudnicki, a vice president at Modular System, who is responsible for sales and business development.

Enterprise Investors is one of the largest private equity firms in Central and Eastern Europe. Active since 1990, the firm has raised nine funds with total capital exceeding EUR 2.5 billion. These funds have invested EUR 2 billion in 147 companies across a range of sectors and exited 135 companies with total gross proceeds of EUR 4.2 billion.

For further information please contact:
Anna Czywczyńska, Communications & Public Affairs Director
tel.: +48 22 458 8500
www.ei.com.pl

Building on experience gained during its investment in Polish Energy Partners (PEP), now Polenergia, in 2012 Enterprise Investors made another investment in the renewable energy sector when it founded Wento. EI invited a group of experienced managers to run the project, including Wojciech Cetnarski, PEP’s founder and former CEO. Initially Wento focused on wind energy projects but in 2016 pivoted toward the solar energy market. In total, Wento has developed 177 MW of photovoltaic projects to the stage of securing contracts for difference in the auction framework mandated by the Polish government. With a secured pipeline in excess of 1,000 MW of further solar projects, the company is well equipped to meet Poland’s growing demand for renewable energy.

“Our investment in Wento has followed the changing fortunes of Poland’s renewable energy market. The management team led by Wojciech Cetnarski has shown it can adapt and persevere in its goal of building a company that contributes meaningfully to the green transformation of Poland’s energy sector while making good returns for its investors,” said Michał Rusiecki, a managing partner at Enterprise Investors, who is responsible for this transaction. “We are convinced that under the new ownership Wento will gain the resources needed to become an even more important contributor to the renewable energy market in Poland,” he added.

Enterprise Investors is one of the largest private equity firms in Central and Eastern Europe. Active since 1990, the firm has raised nine funds with total capital exceeding EUR 2.5 billion. These funds have invested EUR 2 billion in 146 companies across a range of sectors and exited 135 companies with total gross proceeds of EUR 4.2 billion.

For further information please contact:
Anna Czywczyńska, Communications & Public Affairs Director
tel.: +48 22 458 8500
www.ei.com.pl

PragmaGO operates in the non-banking financial market, offering customers such products as factoring and purchase financing and providing businesses with both working and investment capital. The company’s offer is tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Poland. By focusing its business model on automated online processes and distribution alliances with numerous partners, PragmaGO can offer customers a comprehensive range of solutions for improving their liquidity quickly and efficiently. After three quarters of 2020, PragmaGO held a portfolio worth EUR 21.2 million, had EUR 8.1 million of equity and EUR 0.4 million of net profit.

Dariusz Prończuk, the managing partner at Enterprise Investors responsible for this transaction, said: “Our aim is to delist the company from the Warsaw Stock Exchange. We believe that for PragmaGO to develop and make full use of the market’s potential it needs substantial capital injection, which we are willing to provide. In addition, we intend to support the company’s management with our broad experience from previous investments in the financial and technological sectors. All this can be achieved more efficiently and quickly once PragmaGO becomes a private company.”

To date, EI-managed funds invested EUR 322 million in 21 companies operating in the financial sector.

Enterprise Investors is one of the largest private equity firms in Central and Eastern Europe. Active since 1990, the firm has raised nine funds with total capital exceeding EUR 2.5 billion. These funds have invested EUR 2 billion in 145 companies across a range of sectors. The funds have exited 134 companies with total gross proceeds of EUR 4.1 billion.

For further information please contact:
Anna Czywczyńska, Communications & Public Affairs Director
tel.: +48 22 458 8500
www.ei.com.pl