M&A Deal Summary

Apax Acquires WGSN

On February 1, 2024, private equity firm Apax acquired internet software and services company WGSN from Ascential

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Apax’s 27th transaction in the Internet Software and Services sector.
  • This is Apax’s 33rd transaction in the United Kingdom.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2024-02-01
Target WGSN
Sector Internet Software and Services
Buyer(s) Apax
Sellers(s) Ascential
Deal Type Divestiture

Target

WGSN

London, United Kingdom
WGSN Ltd. is a provider of online subscription trend forecasting and related services to the fashion sector and design-led industries. WGSN was founded in 1998 and is based in London, United Kingdom.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Apax

London, United Kingdom

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1981
PE ASSETS 77.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Apax Partners is a mega-sized private equity investment group, operating across the United States, Europe, Israel and Asia. Broad industry sectors of interest include tech & telecom, media, retail & consumer, healthcare, financial services, and business services. Apax will consider both minority and majority investment positions and prefers companies with strong market positions and growth potential. The Firm generally pursues platform acquisitions valued from $1 to $5 billion. Apax Partners was formed in 1981 and is based in London.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 257 of 266
Sector: Internet Software and Services M&A 27 of 27
Type: Divestiture M&A Deals 27 of 28
Country: United Kingdom M&A 33 of 36
Year: 2024 M&A 1 of 8
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2023-12-20 Matchesfashion

London, United Kingdom

Matchesfashion is a luxury online retailer, engaging with its customers online, in-store, via its app, and at its pioneering retail and broadcasting destination, 5 Carlos Place. It delivers to over 176 countries and offers 24/7 advice through its fashion concierge team MyStylist. Matchesfashion was founded in 1987 and is based in London, United Kingdom.

Sell $63M
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2024-02-27 IES

Glasgow, United Kingdom

IES develops CAD building performance assessment and simulation software, improving sustainable building design for architects, engineers, planners, and facilities managers Worldwide. IES was founded in 1994 and is based in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Buy -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

Ascential

London, United Kingdom

Category Company
Founded 1947
Sector Media
Employees700
Revenue 206M EUR (2023)
DESCRIPTION

Ascential provides specialist information, analytics, events and digital-commerce optimisation services to major consumer brands and their ecosystems. Ascential operates globally, helping clients with product design, marketing, digital commerce and retail & financial services. Ascential was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 11 of 11
Sector: Internet Software and Services M&A 1 of 1
Type: Divestiture M&A Deals 10 of 10
Country: United Kingdom M&A 9 of 9
Year: 2024 M&A 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2023-10-30 Flywheel

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Flywheel is a cloud-based digital commerce platform that enables clients to access near real-time performance measurement and improve sales, share, and profit. Through its expertise, scale, global reach, and highly sophisticated AI and data-powered solutions, the company provides differentiated value for both consumer product companies and fast-growing brands. Flywheel is based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Sell $835M