Go to deals
Private Equity | TMT

Embrace The Human Cloud has been acquired by Aareon

March 2023 — Embrace The Human Cloud (Embrace), a leading Netherlands-based all-in-one customer engagement software company, has been acquired by Aareon, a prominent Germany-based provider of SaaS solutions for the European property industry. The acquisition strengthens Aareon’s position as a SaaS proptech company and emphasizes its international growth strategy by expanding its portfolio in the Netherlands.

Founded in 2001, Embrace, based in Groningen, Netherlands, is the Benelux leader in the digital workspace and customer engagement SaaS market. The company serves clients in various sectors, including public housing, healthcare and local government. The company offers a one-stop shop software solution consisting of portals, social intranet and omnichannel conversation tools, including email, voice, chat, social and messaging tools and (AI) chatbots. Until 2019, Embrace consisted of the individual brands Embrace, Umbrella and Q-Vision.

By joining forces with Aareon, Embrace can further accelerate growth and realize its international growth ambitions. Together with Aareon, Embrace envisages leveraging its market-leading position in the Benelux and expanding across Europe. Embrace will continue to operate under its own name, fully independent in the market.

Aareon is the leading provider of ERP software and digital solutions for the European property industry and its partners. The firm offers pioneering and trusted software solutions to optimize business processes and business model development. Aareon is an international company with offices in the DACH region, Finland, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. The company employs over 1,800 people, with more than one-third based in its international subsidiaries. Aareon is owned by Aareal Bank (majority) and Advent International (minority), an international private equity firm.

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins’ team in the Netherlands served as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Embrace’s shareholders in its sale to Aareon. This transaction emphasizes Oaklins’ deep expertise in enterprise SaaS and in advising founders and private equity on monetizing industry-leading businesses. Oaklins’ team in Germany provided support and essential intelligence, emphasizing the added value of Oaklins’ global reach.

Parties
“Our goal was to find a strategic buyer for Embrace who not only wants to invest in further growth, but also wants to give us the space to remain independent and, above all, ourselves. Throughout the entire process, Oaklins’ deep industry experience and contacts, together with their pragmatic and result-oriented approach, has helped us find the best partner for Embrace that aligns with our values.”

Martin Holwerda

CEO, Embrace The Human Cloud

Talk to the deal team

Frederik van der Schoot

Managing Partner
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oaklins Netherlands

Jan P. Hatje

Managing Partner
Hamburg, Germany
Oaklins Germany

Jan-Pieter van Doorn

Director
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oaklins Netherlands

Koen Bodewes

Senior Associate
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oaklins Netherlands

Oscar van Rijn

Associate
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oaklins Netherlands

Related deals

Evoke Creative has been acquired by Steliau Technology
TMT

Evoke Creative has been acquired by Steliau Technology

Private equity firm BGF has sold Evoke Creative Ltd., an international provider of interactive digital solutions, to Steliau Technology, a company backed by Astorg Partners. Evoke will continue to operate as an independent brand while benefiting from the wider group’s support to accelerate international expansion, increase product innovation and strengthen its position in key vertical markets.

Learn more
Technolignes builds an Eastern Canada leader with the acquisition of C3F Telecom
Construction & Engineering Services | TMT

Technolignes builds an Eastern Canada leader with the acquisition of C3F Telecom

C3F Telecom Inc. has been acquired by Technolignes as part of its strategy to build a leading telecommunications infrastructure platform across Eastern Canada. The transaction brings together two highly complementary businesses, combining C3F’s engineering and network design expertise with Technolignes’ established field construction capabilities and regional presence. Together, the companies are well positioned to deliver end-to-end telecommunications infrastructure solutions to telecom operators, municipalities and public sector clients across a broader geographic footprint.

Learn more
Dan Group Alarm Syd has been sold to Varna Security
Private Equity | Business Support Services

Dan Group Alarm Syd has been sold to Varna Security

Dan Group Alarm Syd, a leading provider of subscription-based security solutions, has been acquired by Varna Security, a newly formed security platform backed by Triton Partners. Through the transaction, Dan Group Alarm Syd enters into a new partnership with Triton Partners, positioning the company for its next phase of growth. As part of Varna Security, Dan Group Alarm Syd will continue to operate independently, retaining its entrepreneurial culture and close customer relationships, while gaining access to capital, resources and strategic support to accelerate expansion.

Learn more