Evolem has acquired a majority stake in Cap Vert

July 2020 — Evolem has acquired a majority stake in Cap Vert Développement Group (Cap Vert).

Evolem is a family office created in 1997 by Bruno Rousset, also the founder of April. Evolem’s entrepreneurial approach to investment is based on a long-term strategic vision, shared with the management teams, to accompany the development of groups that are leaders in their sector. Evolem has 19 employees and has supported 87 companies, with US$235 million invested since its creation. Today, Evolem represents more than 5,300 jobs and US$740 million in aggregate revenues. The firm supports companies with sales between US$12 million and US$95 million, operating in niche markets and in the process of consolidation, with the objective of enabling them to move from the status of SME to ETI (mid-size companies) both through organic and external growth. With 66 external growth operations, including 22 outside France, Evolem has solid experience in carrying out build-up operations for its divisions, both in identifying and approaching potential targets and in negotiating and carrying out the operations.

Founded in 1984 by Alain Capillon, Cap Vert quickly positioned itself as the leader in pruning in the Ile-de-France region. In 2006, it launched an active development policy integrating complementary activities such as maintenance and the creation of green spaces, while expanding its geographical coverage. Backed by Calcium Capital Partners since 2015, Cap Vert has accelerated its growth dynamic, with a gradual deployment in the provinces through the opening of agencies and the acquisition of local players. Today, it offers a complete range of products and services that include pruning, watering and fountain works, and alternative preventive and curative treatments that are environmentally friendly. Cap Vert works mainly with public authorities – most of the time under multi-year contracts for pruning services or maintenance of green spaces – and is recognized as a benchmark player in this segment. The group employs more than 300 people and has the ambition to continue to expand its national network.

Calcium Capital Partners is a generalist investment firm that brings together the capital of entrepreneurs, managers and families who wish to invest in attractive SMEs while giving them the benefit of their experience and network. Its vocation is to take stakes of around US$6 million to US$25 million in companies with great potential to become an active shareholder with high added value. With a rich shareholder base and a team with diversified and complementary backgrounds, Calcium Capital Partners is committed to a logic of partnership attentive to the companies’ sustainability while respecting their culture and values.

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins’ team in France supported Evolem in its acquisition of a majority stake in Cap Vert Développement Group.