Founded in 1985 by three French architects, Abvent is the leading French provider of image and design software to architects. The Group has developed a proprietary offer combining 3D visualisation software and project management solutions via BIM (Building Information Modelling). It is also the exclusive distributor in France and French-speaking Switzerland of the industry standard design and project management system for architects, ArchiCAD.
Xavier Soule, CEO of Abvent, said: “Following the launch of our BIM offer and the acquisition of Ka-Ra, a software publisher specialising in 3D visualisation, we wish to continue this momentum alongside a partner that understands the dynamics of our market and our software.”
Philippe Butty, co-founder, added: “For us, Ardian was the natural partner in light of its ability to provide tactical support and its keen understanding of the strategic challenges we face.”
Beyond using Ardian’s network and expertise in supporting growing companies, this partnership aims to help the Abvent management team achieve its goal of increasing market share in the BIM sector. The Group is one of the few players in this growing market to have succeeded in developing an offer that is compatible with all existing operating systems.
Alexis Saada, Managing Director at Ardian Growth, added: “We are delighted to be entering into this partnership with Abvent. Xavier and his team won us over with their agility and ambitious vision: we are committed to providing them with the necessary means to achieve it.”
Bertrand Schapiro, Senior Investment Manager at Ardian Growth, added: “Abvent’s positioning enables us to consider a targeted external growth strategy to strengthen its offer that is already unique in its market.”
ABOUT ABVENT
Founded in 1985 by French architects, Abvent is a group currently based in Paris, the leader in software and services for architects and construction professionals (ARCHICAD, ClimaBIM, Rhino 3D, BIMoffice), and a key player in the imaging segment (Twinmotion, Artlantis, iVIsit360, RenderIn).
Along with its expansion in France, and to support its international development, Abvent has opened several subsidiaries (Switzerland, the US, Luxembourg, Hungary) and has a network of distributors in 80 countries.
ABOUT ARDIAN
Founded in 1996 and headed by Dominique Senequier, Ardian is an independent private investment firm that advises and/or manages $60 billion of assets in Europe, North America and Asia. The company, which is majority-owned by its employees, has always placed entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of its approach and offers its international investors investment performance while participating in the growth of companies around the world. Ardian's investment philosophy is based on three pillars: excellence, loyalty and entrepreneurship.
Ardian relies on a solid international network, with more than 450 employees working in twelve offices in Paris, London, Frankfurt, Milan, Madrid, Zurich, New York, San Francisco, Beijing, Singapore, Jersey and Luxembourg. The company offers its 580 investors a diversified selection of funds covering the entire asset class, with Ardian Fund of Funds (primary, early secondary and secondary), Ardian Private Debt, Ardian Buyout (including Ardian Mid Cap Buyout Europe & North America, Ardian Expansion, Ardian Growth and Ardian Co-Investment), Ardian Infrastructure, Ardian Real Estate and Ardian Mandates.
Participants
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Abvent
- Xavier Soule, Philippe Butty, Raphael Pierrat, Eric Larrouil
- Financial advisor: N Finance (Maxime Dugast)
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Ardian
- Alexis Saada, Bertrand Schapiro, Marion Villalta
- Legal advisor: Lamartine Avocats (Fabien Mauvais, Gary Lévy, Camille Le Foyer de Costil)
- Financial auditor: Aca Nexia (Hervé Krissi, Adrien Bauwens)
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Senior debt
- LCL: Cécile Millotte, Céline Autran and Kévin Freire
- BNP Paribas: Anne-Laure Herbinet and Arnaud Lamouche
- Caisse d’Epargne: Maxime Moyan, Julien Jonasson and Jean-Pascal Yeodet