Together with Crédit Mutuel Equity, which is making an additional investment as part of the transaction, Capital Croissance is becoming a core shareholder in Oceanet Technology (OT) as it joins forces with NBS System (No Blue Screen System). The OT-NBS combined entity, which will have more than €20 million in revenues, 150 employees and 1,700 customers, is set to become one of the leaders in the high-security managed hosting market.

Founded by Pierre Voillet in 1996, Oceanet Technology specialises in hosting, IT security, outsourcing and administration of critical data and applications, and through-life maintenance of secure interconnections for businesses. Oceanet Technology possesses cutting-edge stable and reliable technology hosted in eight data centres, three of which belong wholly or partly to the company.

Founded by Arnaud Becquart and Philippe Humeau in 1999, NBS System is the leader in e-commerce managed hosting (Magento, Hybris, etc.), managing over 3,000 websites (two-thirds under Magento) at two high-performance data centres. Leveraging its IT security expertise (intrusion testing, IT security audits and security consulting), NBS System has built CerberHost, a highly secure private cloud that already contributes 30% of its revenues just a few months on from its launch.

The acquisition by Capital Croissance of an equity interest in the new OT-NBS combined entity alongside Crédit Mutuel Equity (formerly CM-CIC Investissement), which first invested in 2012 when Oceanet Technology acquired Net4All in Switzerland and which has also provided financing for the deal, aims to support management's strategy of expansion through acquisitions and internationalisation, with the group now deriving over 10% of its revenues from outside France (Switzerland and the UK).

"Following the successful acquisition of Net4All in Switzerland in 2012, the link-up with NBS System represents a key step in the development of the business. We are tremendously grateful to Capital Croissance's and Crédit Mutuel Equity's teams for having helped us see this deal through to fruition", commented Pierre Voillet, Chairman and Founder of Oceanet Technology, and Bertrand Guégano, Chief Financial Officer.

"Joining forces with NBS, a company well-known for its secure hosting solutions, represents another step in the process of building up the Oceanet Technology group, further establishing its nationwide reach and its international operations. Following on from the purchase of our initial stake in Oceanet Technology three years ago to support its first significant and indeed successful acquisition, we are now delighted to be investing fresh funds as part of this transaction, backing a management team that has proven its ability to build a leading player in its market", added Thierry Aubert and Stéphane Mentzer, Principals at Crédit Mutuel Equity.

"At the end of a highly competitive process in which we received numerous expressions of interest, the Oceanet Technology plan supported by Capital Croissance and Crédit Mutuel Equity appeared to all NBS' partners to be the most compelling and to create the most value over the long term. It also upholds Oceanet Technology's motto of "The Human Touch", stated Arnaud Becquart and Philippe Humeau, the co-founders and managers of NBS System.

logo Capital Croissance logo NBS System
Investors
  • Capital Croissance
  • Eric Neuplanche
    Chairman and Founder

Crédit Mutuel Equity

  • Thierry Aubert
    Principal
Groupe Oceanet Technology
  • Mathilde Pondevie
    Head of Marketing&Communication
  • Philippe Humeau
    CEO

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