• EQT Mid Market to invest in TransIP, the largest independent domain name, hosting and VPS provider in the Benelux
• TransIP is EQT Mid Market’s first investment in the region
• Strengthening of supervisory board with Ali Niknam, founder of TransIP and Jonas Persson, former CTO EMEA at Microsoft, as Chairman

The EQT Mid Market Investment Strategy (“EQT Mid Market”) has agreed to acquire a stake in TransIP Group B.V. (“TransIP” or “the Company”) from its founder Ali Niknam. TransIP is the largest independent domain name, hosting and VPS provider in the Benelux with a focus on tech-savvy customers and IT professionals. The Company is headquartered in Leiden in the Netherlands and has approximately 70 employees. It is the first investment in the Benelux for EQT Mid Market. 

Ali Niknam founded TransIP in 2003 and has grown the company to become the largest Dutch player in the market segment, with over 175,000 clients. He will stay on as substantial shareholder and join the board of TransIP. The board is to be strengthened with the experience of Jonas Persson (former CTO EMEA at Microsoft and former CEO at Microsoft Sweden), who will join as Chairman. The existing management will continue to lead TransIP.

EQT Mid Market will support the Company’s continued expansion across both its existing products and markets and will actively assist TransIP in its pursuit of new growth opportunities. EQT will particularly focus on further strengthening the leading position in the tech-savvy market in the Benelux by securing the strong DNA and customer-centric approach. Annual revenues for 2016 are expected at EUR 25m, driven by strong sales growth of above 20% per annum.

Jeroen Hüpscher, CEO at TransIP, said: “TransIP has grown tremendously since its very beginning. We are a leading firm for professional VPS and webhosting services as well as domains and last year also successfully launched ‘STACK’, a Dutch-based online storage solution. We've found a great partner in EQT, allowing us to grow beyond the Benelux.”

Ali Niknam, founder of TransIP, said: “'I'm very proud of what we have achieved with TransIP. Through the enormous drive of everyone involved, the Company has entered its mature phase and is ready to grow even further. EQT is a great partner with an eye on long term goals. This will enable us to continue to develop great products that empower people to manage their online presence.”

Jannik Kruse Petersen, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Mid Market, said: “TransIP’s growth story is really impressive. Ali Niknam, Jeroen Hüpscher and the employees have grown TransIP into a market leader, based on a clear focus on customers and products, as well as strong innovative capabilities and culture. We look forward to supporting the Company with EQT’s network and financial capacity to deliver on the ample and clear opportunities.”

The parties have agreed to not disclose details of the transaction. Torch Partners acted as exclusive financial advisor to the founder of TransIP. Raymond James acted as exclusive financial advisor to EQT Mid Market. 

Contacts:

Jannik Kruse Petersen, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Mid Market, +45 33 18 12 49

Kerstin Danasten, EQT Press Officer, +46 8 506 55 334

About EQT

EQT is a leading global private equity group with approximately EUR 30 billion in raised capital. EQT has portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 15 billion and approximately 100,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

For further information, please visit www.eqtpartners.com

About TransIP

TransIP is the largest independent domain name, hosting and VPS provider in Benelux with a focus on tech savvy customers and IT professionals. The company is headquartered in Leiden in the Netherlands and has approximately 70 employees.

For further information, please visit www.transip.nl