| ARICOMA Group acquires Musala Soft | | https://www.cleverlance.cz/en/blog/Pages/musala-soft.aspx | ARICOMA Group acquires Musala Soft | <p>
<b>ARICOMA Group and Musala Soft announce a deal for the acquisition of Musala Soft. ARICOMA Group, part of KKCG is a fast-growing European NextGen IT services provider. This investment is another key step in ARICOMA’s strategic development. </b></p><p> With Musala Soft, the ARICOMA Group will comprise of 10 technology companies with a consolidated turnover exceeding EUR 400 million, an EBITDA of EUR 39 million and 4000+ professionals. “<i>With Musala Soft onboard, we are becoming a leader in custom software development from South-eastern Europe. Musala is a natural fit for ARICOMA on our path to become a European leader, and we’re excited to work together. Its innovative culture and amazing people will further bolster our internal talent as well as market potential. The leadership team has a legacy of growing the business with client focus and a problem-solving approach. We believe that Musala will thrive as part of ARICOMA and we will jointly accelerate our long-term growth and value creation plans,</i>” says Ludovic Gaudé, CEO of ARICOMA Digital. </p><p> “<i>We are eager to enter a new faster chapter of our development by joining forces with ARICOMA and KKCG. The synergy with both the overlapping and complementary client base and expertise of ARICOMA gives us confidence and fuels the exciting journey ahead. Of course, we will also keep and expand together our dedication to the development of the IT community, business climate, IT education, science, innovation, and inspiring young talent,” says Elena Marinova, President and Chair of the Board of Musala Soft. “I am delighted that we managed to reach an agreement with Musala. This is our second acquisition this year and it fits in line with our strategy to turn ARICOMA into a significant player in Europe. Musala has an exciting portfolio of clients, which will boost our Telco, Finance, and Automotive verticals. Even in these challenging times the IT sector continues to grow and increase in relevance and we remain optimistic about the industry’s potential in the long-term,</i>” adds Michal Tománek, Investment Director at KKCG, the investment company behind ARICOMA Group. The deal signed by the owners of Musala Soft and the ARICOMA Group is for the sale of a 100% share in the company. The full Musala Soft management team will stay on board in the long term and will actively participate in building ARICOMA’s future. The transaction is still subject to approval of the respective anti-monopoly offices and is expected to close in Q4 this year. </p><p> CMS Cameron McKenna acted as Legal Advisor and Deepak Bhandari from Marylebone Capital Advisors Private Limited acted as Financial Advisor to Musala Soft. </p><p>
<b>About Musala</b></p><p> Musala Soft builds future generation software products and enterprise solutions for impactful organizations around the globe. The company is provider of high-end software engineering services in AI, Big Data, IoT, Analytics, Cloud, and Integration. Musala Soft professional team covers with expertise and creativity all elements of the software life cycle. Musala Soft clients are challenging, innovative and trendsetting enterprises in IT, Telecom, Finance and Automotive devoted to stability and growth, daring to pioneer new ideas and build the future. Among them are IBM, SAP, VMware, Deutsche Telecom, A1, Generali, Canaccord, Experian, Procredit Bank, PTV Group, EDAG, Bosch, KPMG, PerkinElmer, Siemens Energy, and the Financial Times. Musala Soft was founded in 2000 and has its headquarters in Bulgaria with a team of 750 employees from 10+ nationalities located in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Egypt, Albania and Kosovo. Musala Soft is the proud winner of multiple national and international honours and recognitions in Talent Development, Science and Innovation, Quality of Software Solutions, Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility.</p><p>
<b> About the ARICOMA Group</b></p><p> ARICOMA Group is a leading Central European IT Services provider with a significant Scandinavian presence providing services to 1000+ clients in 15 markets from its 8 Europe-based delivery centres. ARICOMA’s focus is to help both private- and public-sector clients navigate the ever-changing demands, risks, and business opportunities. Through its portfolio companies, it provides end-to-end digital transformation solutions, including UX design and consulting, custom software development, IT infrastructure and IT operations management, cloud operations, and cloud security services. Notable members of ARICOMA Group include Sweden- and CEE-based custom software developer Seavus, Sweden-based software developer Stratiteq, Czechia- and Slovakia-based system integrator AUTOCONT, custom software developers Cleverlance Enterprise Solutions and KOMIX, cybersecurity services specialist AEC, and government digital transformation specialist CESEA.</p><p>
<b>About KKCG</b></p><p> KKCG, managed by Karel Komárek, one of the most successful Czech entrepreneurs, is an international investment company with a total value of more than €9bn. KKCG develops its business activities in thirty-three countries around the world and its key fields include the entertainment industry, the energy industry, IT technologies, and real estate. It holds shares in many leading companies, including Allwyn (lotteries and gaming), ARICOMA Group (IT), MND Group (energy), KKCG Real Estate Group, and Springtide Ventures (venture capital fund with investments in European and Israeli IT start-ups).</p><p> Karel Komárek Family Foundation supports a diverse range of projects, such as the construction of the REACH - a new building in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, support for Ukrainian people right after the war broke out and Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic, the restoration of South Moravia, which was damaged by the tornado in 2021, and many Czech cultural heritage projects, including the flagship Dvořák Prague International Music festival. ></p><br> | | | | |
| Cleverlance opens new office in Munich | | https://www.cleverlance.cz/en/blog/Pages/Cleverlance-opens-new-office-in-Munich.aspx | Cleverlance opens new office in Munich | <p>Technology company Cleverlance is opening another international office as part of its expansion into Western markets. After Valencia, Spain, the new office is based in Munich, Germany. Here, Cleverlance will focus on both Bavarian customer care and new client acquisition as well as technology development projects.
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Cleverlance has been successfully operating in the German market since 2017, when the Bremen office was established. Its customer portfolio now includes major German companies (Deutsche Telekom, Bombardier) as well as smaller companies that value the flexibility and extensive competence of a stable supplier.
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<i>Cleverlance Munich
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"The Munich office also opens the door to more conservative customers who, even after two covid years, appreciate the personal contact and the possibility of having their suppliers close by. The Bavarian market is specific in this area and having an office in its centre is proving to be a great competitive advantage," says Petr Štros, CEO of Cleverlance, adding: "At the same time, we have interesting opportunities to capitalise on our experience in the automotive and banking sectors."
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For customers in Germany and nearby Switzerland, Cleverlance is particularly interesting as a supplier of mobile applications, including multi-platform solutions. Like most Czech customers, German customers appreciate that Cleverlance is able to deliver all of its projects in an agile manner, including software testing.
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Cleverlance also thinks about the comfort of its employees - the new Munich offices of Cleverlance are located right next to the underground station near Munich Central Station in a pleasant district where quality restaurants and all necessary services are available. This will be appreciated both by Cleverlance's German employees and their Czech colleagues who will be frequent visitors.
</p><p style="margin-bottom:10px;line-height:1.6;text-align:justify;color:#222222;font-family:source-sans-pro, open-sans, sans-serif;"><strong>About Cleverlance:</strong></p><p style="margin-bottom:10px;line-height:1.6;text-align:justify;color:#222222;font-family:source-sans-pro, open-sans, sans-serif;">Cleverlance is a leading Czech provider of IT services, information systems, and web and mobile applications including virtual reality, especially in finance, telecommunications, automotive and public administration. Established in 2000, Cleverlance now has over 800 specialists ready to meet clients’ needs in assignment, analysis, design, development and launch of software applications, including project management, security, and support or full outsourcing of information systems.</p><p style="margin-bottom:10px;line-height:1.6;text-align:justify;color:#222222;font-family:source-sans-pro, open-sans, sans-serif;">Since 2019 Cleverlance has been a member of the Aricoma Group, the largest ICT holding in the Czech and Slovak region, and provides comprehensive ICT services for the corporate sector via its members. Between them, Aricoma Group companies offer customers all the key components of a corporate IT system. Data centers, advanced infrastructure, cloud services, information systems implementation, security, custom software development, outsourcing and systems integration. The group includes major Czech and Slovak companies such as AUTOCONT, Cleverlance, AEC, Internet Projekt, Komix and the Swedish Seavus. Companies in the group employ more than 3000 people and achieve revenues of CZK 8.5 billion. The Aricoma Group belongs to the KKCG investment group and also forms the basis for KKCG’s expansion of its ICT activities within Europe.<br></p><p><br><br></p> | | | | |
| Cleverlance opens development center in Spain | | https://www.cleverlance.cz/en/blog/Pages/Espana.aspx | Cleverlance opens development center in Spain | <p>
<strong>The new branch of Cleverlance will focus primarily on software development and professional IT services for customers in Western and Central Europe. Cleverlance chose to locate its Spanish branch in Valencia, the third largest city in Spain as well as the third strongest economic region in the country, and a fast-growing one as well.</strong></p><p> Since its establishment in 2000, Cleverlance has focused strongly on employee education and development, and Valencia offers great potential and plenty of suitable candidates. Lubomír Pompl, executive director for Cleverlance España, explains that the Valencia autonomous community is home to seven universities with up to 16,000 new graduates each year, one third of them in engineering and tech fields.</p><p>
<i>“By the end of this year we plan to expand our team by up to 100 programmers and other IT specialists. We will draw young talent to Cleverlance with great job offers. Digital challenges look different in different countries and regions, and customers require solutions adapted to their needs. By recruiting local talent we will build teams that are close to our customers. The Aricoma Group is a leading provider of IT services in Central Europe, and we are currently working diligently on becoming a solid competition for global players,” </i>comments Lubomír Pompl, executive director of Cleverlance, on the new branch opening.</p><p> Cleverlance provides comprehensive IT services and solutions to companies in telecommunications, banking, automotive, services and similar fields. The Cleverlance team includes over 800 IT specialists with experience in a number of areas, who guide clients through the challenging process of digital transformation, from consultation, proposals for how to use information technology and software/app development to fully outsourcing their operations.</p><p> Cleverlance opened its first branch west of the Czech Republic in Germany in 2017. In 2019 Cleverlance joined Aricoma and opened another two branches, on the West and East Coast of the USA. In 2020 Aricoma also acquired the Swedish firm Seavus (with branches in North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, Belarus and Turkey), while in 2021 it acquired the Swedish Stratiteq and in 2022 the Polish Clearcode. Also part of the group are other IT Czech companies: AEC, Autocont, Internet projekt, CES EA and Komix. The group has over 3000 employees and an annual turnover of more than 340 million euros.</p><p>
<b>About Cleverlance:</b></p><p> Cleverlance is a leading Czech provider of IT services, information systems, and web and mobile applications including virtual reality, especially in finance, telecommunications, automotive and public administration. Established in 2000, Cleverlance now has over 800 specialists ready to meet clients’ needs in assignment, analysis, design, development and launch of software applications, including project management, security, and support or full outsourcing of information systems.</p><p> Since 2019 Cleverlance has been a member of the Aricoma Group, the largest ICT holding in the Czech and Slovak region, and provides comprehensive ICT services for the corporate sector via its members. Between them, Aricoma Group companies offer customers all the key components of a corporate IT system. Data centers, advanced infrastructure, cloud services, information systems implementation, security, custom software development, outsourcing and systems integration. The group includes major Czech and Slovak companies such as AUTOCONT, Cleverlance, AEC, Internet Projekt, Komix and the Swedish Seavus. Companies in the group employ more than 3000 people and achieve revenues of CZK 8.5 billion. The Aricoma Group belongs to the KKCG investment group and also forms the basis for KKCG’s expansion of its ICT activities within Europe. </p><br> | | | | |
| KKCG’s ARICOMA Group Acquires Clearcode to Enter the AdTech and MarTech Market | | https://www.cleverlance.cz/en/blog/Pages/Clearcode.aspx | KKCG’s ARICOMA Group Acquires Clearcode to Enter the AdTech and MarTech Market | <p>
<strong>ARICOMA Group continues to deliver on its expansion strategy as it acquires the Polish software development company </strong>
<a href="https://clearcode.cc/" target="_blank">
<strong>Clearcode</strong></a><strong>. The company specialises in custom AdTech and MarTech platform development, and has worked with many top-tier AdTech companies, agencies, publishers and global media companies. ARICOMA Group, an emerging pan-European IT services player backed by KKCG, will acquire Clearcode to enter the booming market of advertising and marketing technology.</strong> </p><p>
<em>“Acquiring Clearcode represents a major step for the ARICOMA Group, and it fits perfectly with our plans to expand to new, dynamic markets across Europe. Poland represents one of the largest markets in the Central Eastern European region and Clearcode has a wonderful position here, ” </em>says Ludovic Gaudé, Head of Custom Software Development operations at ARICOMA Digital, part of ARICOMA Group. </p><p>
<i>“We are thrilled to be joining the ARICOMA Group. This acquisition will turbocharge our growth plans over the next few years. Being part of ARICOMA Group will mean more business opportunities for Clearcode and quicker expansion into new markets and industries,”</i> says Piotr Banaszczyk, CEO at Clearcode. </p><p>
<i>“The decision to be acquired by ARICOMA Group was an obvious one for us. The many synergies between Clearcode and ARICOMA Group were one of the main areas that attracted us,”</i> adds Piotr Banaszczyk. </p><p>
<i>“Being a software development company that specializes in AdTech and MarTech, we’re one of only a few companies that has the experience and knowledge required to design and build the complex tech that powers programmatic advertising and digital marketing. With this acquisition, we’re confident that we’ll quickly become the number one AdTech and MarTech development company in Europe and the US,”</i> explains Tomasz Chmielewski, COO at Clearcode. </p><p>
<i>“The new connections we’ll form as part of ARICOMA Group will allow us to offer more services to our clients, especially around data processing, data science and machine learning, which are increasingly playing a bigger role in programmatic advertising and digital marketing,”</i> Tomasz Chmielewski adds. </p><p> The agreement between Clearcode and ARICOMA Group has been finalised, with a 100 % share in Clearcode now belonging to ARICOMA Group. Representatives of Warsaw Equity Group (who had a 22% stake in Clearcode), also contributed to the negotiations, alongside representatives of the ARICOMA Group. The sale price hasn’t been revealed. </p><p> With Clearcode’s 100 professionals, ARICOMA Group will consist of 10 companies, with a consolidated turnover exceeding EUR 340 million and over 3,000 employees. </p><p>
<b>About Clearcode </b></p><p>
<a href="https://clearcode.cc/" target="_blank">Clearcode</a> is a leading software development company that specializes in advertising technology (AdTech) and marketing technology (MarTech). Since 2009, tech companies, publishers, agencies and brands have been partnering with Clearcode to design and build real-time bidding (RTB), programmatic, data, and analytics platforms for the digital advertising and marketing industries. </p><p> Clearcode offers its clients years of AdTech and MarTech development experience and domain knowledge of the inner workings of the programmatic advertising and digital marketing industries. </p><p> With offices in Wroclaw and Katowice, Poland, Clearcode has over 100 employees across management, finance, HR, development, marketing, and design. </p><p>
<b>About the ARICOMA Group </b></p><p>
<a href="https://aricomagroup.com/" target="_blank">ARICOMA Group</a> is a leading Central European IT Services provider with a significant Scandinavian presence, over EUR 340 million of revenue and 3,000 specialists providing services to over 200 clients in 20+ markets from its 15+ Europe-based delivery centres. ARICOMA’s focus is to help both private- and public-sector clients navigate the ever-changing demands, risks, and business opportunities. </p><p> Through its portfolio companies, it provides end-to-end digital transformation solutions, including UX design and consulting, custom software development, IT infrastructure and IT operations management, cloud operations, and cloud security services. The company is owned by
<a href="https://kkcg.com/" target="_blank">KKCG Group</a>, a private investment company with €7bn AUM. </p><br><br> | | | | |
| ARICOMA Group acquires Swedish tech consultancy company Stratiteq | | https://www.cleverlance.cz/en/blog/Pages/Stratiteq.aspx | ARICOMA Group acquires Swedish tech consultancy company Stratiteq | <p>ARICOMA Group takes another step in its international expansion as it acquires the Swedish technology company Stratiteq. ARICOMA Group, an IT services buy-and-build platform owned by KKCG, will strengthen its position not only in the markets of Sweden and Scandinavia but also within the field of data-driven business solutions and strategic consulting. Stratiteq, with offices in Malmö and Stockholm, brings over 100 new employees to ARICOMA Group.<br></p><p>
<em>"With Stratiteq, we have found a true gem of a company, with great people. Their track record is impressive, with many innovative projects for both regional and international companies such as Haldex, Skånetrafiken, Securitas, and Vattenfall. They know the whole process from start to finish; from advanced software development, to innovative strategies that transform how companies can operate in the digital and data-driven landscape. They will strengthen our group, and we will accelerate their growth. It's really a perfect fit,"</em> says Ludovic Gaudé, Head of Custom Software Development operations at ARICOMA Group.<br></p><p>Johan Ahlqvist, Chairman of the Board at Stratiteq, continues:" We<em> are delighted to join the ARICOMA Group. For us, this is taking a natural next step in the story of Stratiteq, by fast-tracking the new strategic direction we started in 2020, while respecting the core values on which Stratiteq was founded 17 years ago. We look forward to working with the companies in the group and creating innovative solutions together."</em></p><p>ARICOMA Group is working towards becoming a strong European player in the field of ICT and SW solutions. According to Michal Tománek, Investment Director at KKCG, this acquisition is yet another step towards that goal.
<em>“Stratiteq will help us not just to increase our profile in Scandinavia but also to enhance our capabilities in the extremely attractive space of digital transformation."</em></p><p>With this acquisition, all of Stratiteq's operations and lines of business will continue unchanged in the near future. ARICOMA Group is committed to maintaining the leadership and the core values that Stratiteq was built upon.</p><p style="text-align:left;">Frank Hennekens, CEO, Stratiteq, says:
<em>"We have big ambitions and have so far focused 100% on creating our own growth. But when we met with the people behind ARICOMA Group, it just felt right, not least culturally. We believe that our competence is a natural complement to the ARICOMA Group and we are excited to become part of a constellation that has both the knowledge and the muscle to help us grow our business."</em></p><p style="text-align:left;">
<em></em>The deal was signed this Monday, where an agreement on the sale of a 100% share in the company was made by the owners of Stratiteq and representatives of the ARICOMA Group. The transaction is still subject to approval of the respective anti-monopoly offices and is expected to close at the beginning of October.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Once the deal goes through, the ARICOMA Group will comprise of 9 companies with a consolidated turnover exceeding EUR 340 million, and an EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of almost EUR 37 million. It employs over 3,000 people.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">
<strong>About Stratiteq</strong><br></p><p>Stratiteq is a knowledge-based consultancy company for forward thinking clients who aim to become sustainable data-driven businesses. Stratiteq enables clients to take control of their digital future through the delivery of technology and strategy implementations. They help identify and implement solutions for better decision-making and enable companies to make their unique data their new competitive advantage. Stratiteq is specialized within the industries of Public Transport, Professional Services and Manufacturing. Stratiteq was founded in 2004 and has over 100 employees with offices in Malmö and Stockholm. Stratiteq's client list includes Haldex, Höganäs, Region Skåne, Securitas, Skånetrafiken and Vattenfall. <br></p><p>
<b>About the ARICOMA Group</b></p><p style="text-align:justify;">ARICOMA Group is a leading Central European IT Services provider with a significant Scandinavian presence, over EUR 340 mil. of revenue and 3,000 specialists providing services to over 200 clients in 20+ markets from its 15+ Europe-based delivery centres. ARICOMA's focus is to help both private- and public-sector clients navigate the ever-changing demands, risks, and business opportunities. Through its portfolio companies, it provides end-to-end digital transformation solutions, including UX design and consulting, custom software development, IT infrastructure and IT operations management, cloud operations, and cloud security services. Notable members of ARICOMA Group include Sweden- and CEE-based custom software developer Seavus, Czechia- and Slovakia-based system integrator AUTOCONT, custom software developers Cleverlance Enterprise Solutions and KOMIX, cybersecurity services specialist AEC and EU-based Tier 3-capable datacentre DataSpring.</p><p>
<b>About the KKCG Group</b></p><p>The KKCG Group, managed by Karel Komárek, one of the most successful Czech entrepreneurs, is an international investment company with a total value of more than €7bn. The KKCG Group develops its business activities in twenty-eight countries around the world and its key fields include the entertainment industry, the energy industry, IT technologies, and real estate. It holds shares in many domestic and international companies, including SAZKA Group, ARICOMA Group, MND Group, KKCG Real Estate, US Methanol, the capital fund Springtide Ventures and others. KKCG also invests in the American fund Jazz Venture Partners, based in Silicon Valley. This fund focuses on investments in technologies for improving human performance, for instance, through neuroscience.</p><p> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">
<strong>Contact for the media:</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Dana Dvořáková </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Director of Corporate Communications</p><p style="text-align:justify;">ARICOMA Group</p><p style="text-align:justify;">T +420 225 010 399</p><p style="text-align:justify;">M +420 602 372 834</p><p style="text-align:justify;">E
<a href="mailto:dana.dvorakova@kkcg.com">dana.dvorakova@kkcg.com</a></p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Charlotte Eivesteen</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Head of Marketing</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Stratiteq</p><p style="text-align:justify;">M +46 (0)72 072 3356</p><p>E
<a href="mailto:charlotte.eivesteen@stratiteq.com">charlotte.eivesteen@stratiteq.com</a><br></p><p>
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