M&A in SaaS: FDJ Strengthens Its Position in Payment and Services With the Acquisition of Bimedia

Date: November, 25th, 2019

Clipperton along with Natixis Partners acted as the financial advisors to FDJ in its acquisition of Bimedia.

  • FDJ (Paris: FDJ), the historical and unique lottery operator in France and #2 in Europe, plans to acquire Bimedia, a leading software publisher specialized in point-of-sale (POS) collection and payment solutions.
  • This acquisition highlights Clipperton’s expertise in the POS space, where it already advised German hospitality leader Gastrofix.
  • SaaS is a key focus for Clipperton and this transaction strengthens its expertise in the field

Clipperton is pleased to announced that it advised FDJ (Paris: FDJ), along Natixis Partners, for the signature of a contract with Idinvest Partners in order to acquire Bimedia, a software publisher specialized in point-of-sale collection and payment solutions.

With nearly 140 employees in France, Bimedia is present in more than 6,400 points of sale in France, nearly 90% of which are tobacconists and newsagents. Since its inception in 2002 in La Roche-sur-Yon, the Bimedia group has established itself as one of the leading operators in digital and innovative collection solutions and dematerialized services offered to local businesses (payment, money transfer, advertising network, etc.).

FDJ is the historical and unique lottery operator in France, the #2 in Europe and #4 worldwide. It is also the main sports betting operator in France. FDJ offers a range of around 85 enjoyable, responsible games to the general public, both at points of sale and online: lottery games – draw games (Loto, Euromillions, …) and instant games (Millionnaire, Cash, jeux Mission Patrimoine, Astro, Vegas, …) – and sports betting (Parions Sport). FDJ’s performances are driven by its portfolio of iconic brands, the largest proximity network in France, a growing market, investments, and a strategic innovation drive enhancing the appeal of its offer and distribution network. In 2018, with 25 million players and over 30,000 points of sale, FDJ collected €15.8 billion in stakes, contributed €3.5 billion to public finances and paid commissions of €785 million to its offline distribution network. FDJ is listed on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (Compartment A – FDJ.PA)

This acquisition would enable FDJ to accelerate the development of its “Payment and Services” business, in line with its 2025 strategic plan. FDJ thus confirms its commitment to support the development and modernization of its retail distribution network by offering value-added services.

The completion of this transaction is subject to the usual suspensive conditions, including approval by the French Competition Authority.

The transaction highlights Clipperton’s expertise on the SaaS sector as well as on the POS space.

 

Deal team 

 

About Clipperton

Clipperton is a European independent corporate finance advisory firm exclusively dedicated to the Technology space, advising high growth companies on M&A transactions, debt financings and equity offerings. With offices in London, Berlin, Munich and Paris and an international reach, Clipperton is a European leader in Technology financial advisory. Over the past 17 years, the team has successfully completed more than 300 high profile transactions globally.

About Clipperton’s recent transactions.

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