Permira, one of Europe’s leading investment firms, has built a strong reputation in private equity – the strategic investor that transforms companies into market leaders. Founded in 1985 under the name Schroder Ventures, the firm was renamed Permira in 2001 and continued to consolidate its reputation by establishing a presence across 16 offices in Europe, US, and Asia, comprising over 500 team members managing nearly €80 billion of committed capital. With in-depth expertise in technology, Permira has long been a trusted partner for companies facing such challenges as the present digital environment, with specialization across sectors from software to internet platforms. This firm, based in London, is included in our list of software private equity investors in Europe.
Investment Approach
Permira invests through three broad strategies:
1. Buyout Investments: Permira has a proven track record of managing and supporting established businesses to achieve significant growth and become global leaders. Its strategic involvement in guiding management teams to improve performance and drive sustainable growth is again essential.
2. Growth Equity: Permira Growth Opportunities has a reputation for working with the most forward-looking and aggressively growing technology companies. The firm provides disruptive technology companies with growth capital and strategic advice.
3. Credit Solutions: Through Permira Credit, the firm offers creditor solutions that are flexible for corporate needs, targeting direct lending, structured credit, and strategic financing options.
Technology Sector Focus
Through its experience of about 35 years steering the changing genres of technology through the software solution’s repositories, Permira has invested over €18 billion in technology, supported 72 companies, offering a knowledge-backed portfolio for vertical and horizontal software solutions. Key investments include TeamViewer, known for supporting remote connectivity across the spectrum of business sizes for maximum digital business enablement.. TeamViewer has its origins in Germany and today connects millions of users throughout the world, with more than 45 million devices concurrently. McAfee is a well-known company that provides antivirus, identity theft, and digital home security solutions across a multitude of devices. With a strong market position and customer-centered approach, McAfee continues to expand its reach in the rapidly evolving security landscape
Latest Investment: Squarespace
Permira announced on October 17, 2024, the acquisition of Squarespace, Inc. in an all-cash transaction valued at $7.2 billion. Squarespace – an all-in-one website building solution – has been empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses to build and grow their online presence for over two decades. Anthony Casalena, Squarespace’s Founder and CEO, will maintain a meaningful equity stake and will continue to lead the company in partnership with its existing management team.
With the backing of Permira, Squarespace’s aim now is to expand its ecosystem through generative AI, setting the stage to provide more tools and value to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across the world. David Erlong, a partner at Permira, is very much excited about this transacting remarking that the platform empowers SMBs to realize their visions
Through its investment in Squarespace, Permira demonstrates its commitment to back technology platforms that inspire innovations on a global scale and propel digital transformation for enterprises.Permira actively influences the future of technology-enabled services and software platforms worldwide as an essential partner of choice for businesses and entrepreneurs increasingly turning to digital solutions.
Image source: Anthony DELANOIX
