Les Sables d’Olonne, 9th September 2024 – Zelok, a platform for compiling and checking tenants’ files for property professionals, has raised €3 million from Xplore by Épopée Gestion, Calao Finance and Business Angels. The aim is to make its unpaid rent insurance, “Garantie Totale”, and its Pass Zelok Express, new standards in the market. The funds raised will also be used to speed up innovation in the digitisation of the tenant process and the fight against false applications.
Founded in 2019, Zelok has helped to accelerate the digital transformation of the rental process thanks to an innovative SaaS platform for compiling and checking applications from prospective tenants. Today, more than 300,000 prospective tenants take advantage of Zelok’s online application system every year to make their housing search easier.
To achieve this, Zelok is developing a new standard: “Pass’Zelok Express”, which uses a unique technology to create a rental file in just 5 minutes. No documents have to be submitted manually, and data is automatically retrieved from impôts.gouv, URSSAF and CAF. The tenant’s identity is verified using biometric recognition, with a simple selfie taken from their phone.
Because it is collected directly at source, the information in the tenant’s file is authentic. Pass’Zelok Express is therefore an excellent tool for combating document fraud.
What’s more, Pass’Zelok Express automatically and immediately assesses a prospective tenant’s creditworthiness: Zelok issues a universal guaranteed agreement, which indicates the amount of monthly rent including charges for which the tenant is eligible. This can be used in any agency. Zelok acts as a trusted third party throughout the rental process!
“The advantage for tenants is that their personal data is much more secure. On Zelok, it’s much more secure than when it passes through an email inbox or onto the desk of a rental advisor” explains Fabrice Houlé, CEO & Founder of Zelok
With its « Garantie Totale » unpaid rent insurance, launched in March 2021, it has also turned the industry on its head by offering a service that perfectly meets the needs of private property investors. The promise is simple: to guarantee landlords who rent through a property professional that they will receive their rent every month, come what may, even if the tenant fails to pay. No waiting period in the event of non-payment. Whether the rent is paid in full or in part, the landlord receives payment on a fixed date and no longer must dip into his cash flow. It’s the innovation that the rental market has been lacking, and the one that has enabled it to capture many management mandates.
“By offering unpaid rent insurance that perfectly meets the expectations of rental property owners, Zelok has raised the level of services offered by real estate professionals” explains Fabrice Houlé, CEO & Founder of Zelok.
Barely 3 years after its launch, Zelok already insures 20,000 lots. The target for the end of 2025 is to pass the 35,000 lots insured mark.
The arrival of new investors will enable Zelok to strengthen its product team, to accelerate the automation of tasks for property professionals and to continue its strong commercial development.
Vladimir Bolze, Partner at Épopée Gestion, comments: “We are delighted to be acquiring a stake in Zelok, which has already demonstrated its capacity for innovation in a rapidly changing market. We are convinced that Zelok’s solutions will facilitate access to rental housing for as many people as possible in a tight market”.
Those involved in the operation :
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Target company :
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ZELOK | ||||
| Investors :
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Xplore By Épopée Gestion Vladimir Bolze, Charles Cabillic
Calao Finance Antoine Sohler, Loic Bourdy |
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| Investisseurs privés | |||||
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Targeted M&A advice :
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Widoowin CF, Benoit Thubert, Boris Lesavre, Jean-Baptiste David, Marine Richard | ||||
| Financing Advice : | ADEO Conseil & Finance Mael Glévarec, Charlaine Denaire | ||||
| Target lawyer :
Target accountant :
Investor, Financial SD :
Investor, SD Legal : |
Oratio Avocats, Yvan Marjault, Brenda Herveou, Clémence Maussaint
Baker Tilly, Emmanuel Tariot
2C Finance, Julien Solyjan, Salim Louanjli
Chammas & Marcheteau, Jérôme Chapron, Agathe Delforge |
FORUM+ sells 5 of its stores to the Centrakor group, as part of a reorganization strategy following the retirement of its CEO Claude Bichot.
Founded in 1991 by Claude BICHOT, FORUM+ specializes in the sale of decoration, furnishing and leisure items, and offers a wide range of references. The company employs 70 people and has 9 stores, including 8 in Normandy and 1 in the Hauts de France region, enabling it to remain close to its customers and guarantee personalized service. This strategy is a winning one for FORUM+, which has a strong reputation and customer satisfaction ratings per store ranging from 4.1 to 4.5/5.
CENTRAKOR, founded in 1990, is one of the market’s leading specialists in home decoration, tableware and home furnishings at affordable prices. The group has over 450 stores in France and is also present in French overseas territories (Guyana, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Reunion Island), Belgium, Spain and the Canary Islands. CENTRAKOR’s ambition is to strengthen its territorial presence.
In anticipation of his retirement, Claude BICHOT is selling the goodwill of 5 of his stores to the CENTRAKOR Group. The FORUM+ stores concerned are located in 5 towns in 4 départements: Lisieux and Dives-sur-Mer in Calvados (14), Saint-Aubin-Celloville in Seine-Maritime (76), Menneval in Eure (27), and Trie-Château in Oise (60).
FORUM+ commissioned the M&A firm Widoowin CF to carry out this reorganization strategy. This transaction enables CENTRAKOR to continue expanding its activities in the Haut-de-France and Normandy regions, and also represents a lever for economic growth for the towns affected.
Target company : FORUM+
Buyer/ Investor(s) : CENTRAKOR
Assignor : THOGUIMO
Assignor M&A advisory : WIDOOWIN CF – Benoît THUBERT, Jean-Baptiste DAVID, Thomas FERTIN
Assignor lawyer : ACTHEMIS – Me Hervé PLACE
Buyer lawyer : BRUNO et ASSOCIES – Me Sarah MAILLARD
ETS PEROT, an SME specializing in plumbing, electricity, ventilation and heating, is being supported by Widoowin CF in its sale to its number two, Joris Boutenegre, as part of a process to transfer 100% of the company’s shares (MBO).
Historically run by the PEROT family (Pierre, then Jacques, and finally Sébastien PEROT), ETS PEROT is based in Cognac (16) and employs 20 people. Their expertise lies in the installation, maintenance and repair of heating, plumbing, electrical and ventilation systems, electrical and ventilation systems.
For 33 years, the company has put its know-how and expertise at the disposal of a diverse customer base, including private individuals, industries in the Cognac region and local authorities. The company is delighted to announce the sale to its number 2.
Widoowin CF, a consultancy firm specializing in Small & Midcap transactions, mastering all the issues faced by managers, from raising funds to support development to transferring the company, via external growth, supported the seller in the transfer of 100% of the company’s shares.
With over 30 years’ expertise, ETS PEROT, under the management of Sébastien PEROT, is recognized for its know-how, quality of service and responsiveness, backed by its Qualibat RGE certification.
Equipped with modern facilities, the company closed 2023 with sales of €2.2M, representing an average annual growth rate of +8.6% between 2018 and 2023.
The transfer of the company’s shares to Joris BOUTENEGRE marks a turning point for ETS PEROT. His in-depth knowledge of the company, gained after 10 years as Business Manager, will enable him to perpetuate the values and know-how that have made the company so successful to date. This transition ensures that the company will continue to operate without interruption and to pursue its strategic objectives, offering an assurance of stability for customers and employees alike. The new leader will bring his expertise and dynamism to meet new challenges and strengthen the company’s market position.
The family shareholders called on Widoowin CF to support them in this transaction. Although the convergence of visions and ambitions between the buyer and the seller played a decisive role in this transaction, Widoowin CF’s support focused on setting up the structure, finding financing and coordinating the players throughout the entire process.
Taken over in 2018 by the Brousse couple, BATIXEL has enjoyed a steady growth since its acquisition, with an average annual growth rate of 11%. Today, the Executive Board are selling the company as part of their retirement.
After acquiring the Bergerac-based company BATIXEL, Catherine and Christophe Brousse quickly opened a second facility in Périgueux to strengthen their presence in the Dordogne region.
BATIXEL, which now employs 22 people, has prospered thanks to a family business model and a strong team autonomy. In 2022, the company, a member of the UNIVERTURE network, achieved a turnover of € 7 million, with a normative EBITDA rate of 12%. Its reputation in the sector is built on the quality of its expertise and customer service.
In view of their retirement, the company directors have appointed Widoowin CF to assist them in the process of selling 100% of their shares.
Olivier Lopez, head of GROUPEMEN – and President of the UNIVERTURE network – quickly positioned himself as a buyer in this transfer operation. GROUPEMEN’s expertise and strategic vision convinced the sellers to choose this offer, which provides employees with the best possible conditions for coping with the crisis affecting the construction sector.
For its part, BATIXEL, thanks to its strategic position in the renovation market, has strengthened the purchaser’s confidence in this operation. The company will continue to operate in the Dordogne region under GROUPEMEN’s supervision. The two entities share a common vision and values, enabling a smooth transition and a promising future.
Pharma-Recherche Group continues its build-up strategy and completes the acquisition of Monin-Chanteaud laboratories.
Pharma-Recherche Group, previously the owner of well-established brands Bio-Recherche and Vegemedica, recently expanded its footprint in the dietary supplements industry by acquiring Monin-Chanteaud Laboratories. This acquisition, finalized on September 15, 2023, marks a major milestone in the group’s evolution.
Pharma-Recherche Group was founded by Robert Nahmani following the sale of Richelet Laboratories to Merck in the 2000s and has been led by his son, Antoine Nahmani, since 2019.
In 2020, Pharma-Recherche Group carried out its first external growth operation with the acquisition of Vegemedica Laboratories, specializing in phytotherapy.
In 2023, the establishment of Scientific Nutrition & Cosmetics, a holding company of Pharma-Recherche, Vegemedica, and Monin-Chanteaud, fits into a build-up strategy. The two main objectives are to capitalize on synergies between the different entities and to structure the group for further operations.
The acquisition of Monin-Chanteaud Laboratories is not merely an expansion of the portfolio but a strategy aimed at capitalizing on commercial synergies and the local presence of each company.
Monin-Chanteaud Laboratories will benefit from Pharma-Recherche’s extensive experience in promotion and distribution. By integrating Monin-Chanteaud Laboratories, Pharma-Recherche strengthens its expertise in prescription dietary supplements, thus expanding its offering and market reach.
These synergies promise substantial growth, with an expected revenue of over 9 million euros over the next five years.
05 35 54 43 51 – widoowin-cf@widoowin.fr
Céline Poulain – 05 57 99 88 18 – celine.poulain@widoowin.fr
Institut Juridique d’Aquitaine makes an OBO to support its growth and anticipate its future.
Leader in legal assistant training The Institut Juridique d’Aquitaine is an organization that trains future assistants whose vocation is to work in the legal professions (lawyers, judicial commissioners, notaries). Founded in 2002 and based in Bordeaux, the institute proposes state-recognized training courses certified to RNCP level 5 (equivalent to Bac+2). With its flexible approach, the IJA offers face-to-face, semi-face or distance learning courses, tailored to the specific needs of its learners.
Its expertise resides in its collaboration with seasoned professionals who teach all courses. Over the course of 9 months, students benefit from the theoretical knowledge of these experts, complemented by a validating internship. IJA’s strength lies in the very DNA of its creation: to deliver training that is as much judicial as legal, in line with the day-to-day expectations of professionals in the sector and enabling the rapid professional integration of its trainees into legal assistant positions.
Bénédicte DEL RISCO and Géraldine MARIOTTE are both founders and associate directors of IJA. Their common wish was to secure and anticipate their retirement, but also to consolidate their structure to develop it in new directions. This is why Widoowin CF was mandated by the directors to support them in an OBO operation.
As the only school on the market dedicated to the legal assistant profession, IJA’s business is booming, and its structure, cash flow and profitability are sufficiently healthy for this type of transaction.
This OBO will enable IJA to expand its offering with new training courses for other regulated professions, in an ever-changing market. The founders remain involved in the company, ensuring a transition and continuity in the quality of the training provided by IJA.
Since May 1st, Loisirs Solutions group is the new owner of the Golf du Château d’Allot, located in Boé, near the city of Agen. Widoowin CF has once again accompanied the managers during this acquisition.
The only 18-hole course in the Agenais, the Château d’Allot Golf Club, designed by a British architect Michael Fenn, is a popular resort for golfers from all over the world, attracted by the beauty of the round and the facilities of the estate.
©crédit photo FlyOverGreen
Built on the foundations of an old medieval castle, the Chateau d’Allot estate, owned by the Tovo family since the 1970s, opened its golf course in 1989.
Today, the golf course offers an 18-hole course, a driving range, a pro-shop and a restaurant. The estate is also used for special events such as weddings, corporate meetings and seminars.
After a first successful acquisition in the golf industry with the purchase of the Golf du Cognac in April 2022, the Loisirs Solutions group is continuing its growth dynamic with this second acquisition of the Golf du Château d’Allot in Boé. The final documents were signed on 25 April, marking the end of an era for the Tovo family.
With a strong desire to preserve the initial ambition of the Tovo family, the Loisirs Solutions group has undertaken not to alter the historical site. The completion of the last two holes of the course will be the first step taken by the new owners. They also want to support the golf association in its development. In addition, the group plans to transform the castle into an upscale hotel with a large restaurant area.
With this acquisition, Loisirs Solutions Group is ready to take on new challenges to provide an exceptional experience for golfers and visitors. They hope that these initiatives will help reinforce the role of the Golf du Château d’Allot as a must-see destination for golf enthusiasts, while offering visitors an unforgettable experience.
Founded in 2008, Loisirs Solutions Group operates 4-season tourist sites with the aim of developing their economic growth, visibility and notoriety while promoting the territories.
Jean-Sébastien MUET, Christelle VILCOT, Thomas GUILLET
©crédit photo Loisirs Solutions
Loisirs Solutions operates, through its subsidiaries, in the field of outdoor leisure activities. The company currently operates two ski resorts in the north of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and a golf course in the Charente region:
The Sainte-Foy Tarentaise resort, since 2011
The Val d’Allos ski area, since 2008
The Cognac golf course, since 2022
The Loisirs Solutions Group, which specializes in the management and development of tourism activities, has initiated a diversification strategy by carrying out its first external growth operation with the purchase and operation of the Golf du Cognac in 2022. This second acquisition in 2023 confirms the group’s “4 seasons” positioning and its desire to become a major player in the French tourism sector.
Widoowin CF supports the manager of the Gironde franchises of STUDIOSANTE and SUITE DE SOIN® in her transmission process within the framework of a takeover by a couple of individual buyers.
STUDIOSANTE® was created in 2004 by Gérald Vignal. With his experience in medical devices and services related to home infusion, he created the outlines of a concept that has now been duplicated throughout the country. The objective is to develop hospital care procurement, at home, while offering a high-end service to patients and health professionals.
In 2015, Marion CANEZIN decided to stop working as a medical visitor to create her own company in the field of home care. First, she contracted the Gironde concession of the SUITE DE SOIN® brand to launch her activity, then she recovered the STUDIOSANTE® franchise contract initially operated by another company.
After an Average Annual Growth Rate of 40% between 2017 and 2021 and a Covid period which strongly impacts her team of about ten collaborators, she decides to exclusively mandate Widoowin CF to accompany her in her transmission process.
Nicolas LETESSIER and Aurélie WALLYN, are initially the former manager and associate sales director of a company in the field of transport and the director of an equipment rental agency for the construction industry. They acquired the two operating contracts STUDIOSANTE® and SUITE DE SOIN®. With the agreement of STUDIOGROUP® they will be able to maintain the dynamics of the teams and develop the activity on the whole territory of Gironde, which until now was very little exploited.
Edouard LECOMTE has signed a final agreement for the transfer of the entire capital of his company Agriservice, to the company Établissement LARRIEU managed by the IMPAACT Group.
Agriservice, a company created in Monein (64) and managed since 1996 by Edouard LECOMTE, is specialized in the distribution of agricultural equipment. The company operates in the winegrowing and oenology markets in the Jurançon region, but also in the field crop markets (corn, cereals, meadows, etc.), livestock feed, and the supply of fuel oil and non-road diesel, with a turnover of over 4 million euros. Agriservice is also at the head of a consulting activity in regulation and sustainable agriculture.
At the same time, Edouard LECOMTE has developed RURAL MASTER, a 1,300m2 local store for individuals. This activity represents about 22% of the global turnover.
It is within the framework of his retirement, that the company Agriservice was transmitted to the Establishments LARRIEU, family company of trade of agricultural material since 1996 and member of the network IMPAACT: a private group of agricultural trade existing for more than 35 years and with a Turnover approaching 160 million euros. This network includes 240 salesmen and 80 independent agricultural traders, called “new generation”, integrating the vision of the family trade.
This acquisition is an opportunity for Établissements LARRIEU to acquire new commercial resources.
https://www.agriservice.pro/default.aspx