Pokawa has signed a partnership with Vendis Capital

July 2020 — Pokawa has signed a strategic agreement with its new partner Vendis Capital.

Founded in 2017 by two young entrepreneurs, Maxime Buhler and Samuel Carre, Pokawa quickly became the leader in France of Poke, a traditional dish from Hawaii, made with fresh and raw fish, rice and toppings such as seaweeds. Pokawa succeeded in opening 27 owned restaurants in France, Luxembourg and Belgium in a very short period of time, driven by indisputable notoriety among the Generation Z.

Based in Belgium, Vendis Capital is an independent private equity firm specializing in the consumer goods sector in Europe. In partnership with experienced entrepreneurs and managers, Vendis invests in small to medium-sized branded consumer companies in order to help them realize their potential for growth and value creation. The firm was founded in 2009 and invests in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the Scandinavian countries.

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins’ team in France advised Pokawa and its management on the choice of their new strategic partner, in order to establish a development strategy.

Service

M&A sell-side

Parties

“We started from scratch three years ago: we gave everything we had to start our business from nothing and lay the foundations of Pokawa. In this highly competitive market, we always wanted to position our brand as an international market leader. To achieve that, we had to give ourselves the means to reach our ambitious objectives, especially in these very special times. Fortunately, we were able to rely on Oaklins’ team and their extensive experience in branded catering in order for us to shape our ambition and find the ideal partner. Today, thanks to Vendis Capital, we are ready to reach our objectives and position Pokawa just as we imagined it from the beginning: a worldwide leader, its rightful place in the market.”

Maxime Buhler & Samuel Carré

Co-founders, Pokawa

Talk to the deal team

Hadrien Mollard

Managing Partner

Paris, France
Oaklins France

View profile Get in touch

Related deals

Rustins has been acquired by Remmers

Consumer & Retail

Rustins has been acquired by Remmers

Germany’s Remmers Gruppe SE has acquired UK coatings maker Rustins. The acquisition strengthens Remmers’ presence in the UK and expands its product portfolio and distribution channels. While Remmers has an established UK business focused on industrial flooring and wood coatings, Rustins brings complementary product ranges, established trade and distribution relationships and access to new customer groups in the DIY, painting and household retail sectors. Following completion, Rustins Group is wholly owned by Remmers, which has acquired all shares in Rustins Holdings Limited, including its operating company, Rustins Limited.

Learn more

Valuation advisory has been provided to a co-investor in VDK

Private Equity | Construction & Engineering Services

Valuation advisory has been provided to a co-investor in VDK

EMK Capital has transferred VDK Groep B.V. from EMK Capital Partners Fund I into the newly established US$1.4 billion single-asset continuation fund, the EMK VDK Partnership Fund, alongside a co-investment from EMK Capital Partners Fund III. The transaction, co-led by LGT Capital Partners and Coller EQT, provides existing investors with the opportunity to retain their exposure to VDK while securing additional capital to support the company’s continued growth and buy-and-build strategy.

Learn more

Be-Cloud has been acquired by PSG Equity

Private Equity | TMT

Be-Cloud has been acquired by PSG Equity

Be-Cloud, backed by B&Capital since 2021, has been acquired by PSG Equity, a leading growth equity firm specializing in software and technology-enabled services. The transaction marks the full exit of B&Capital and the reinvestment of Be-Cloud’s founders, Lenny and Sébastien Vercruysse, alongside PSG Equity.

Learn more