Cegid, a European leader in cloud business management
solutions for finance (treasury, tax, ERP), human resources
(payroll, talent management), CPAs, retail and entrepreneurial
sectors, strengthens its position in the fast-growing sector of
invoicing and accounting software solutions for the Micro and SMB
segments through the potential acquisition of EBP, one of the
leading enterprise software providers in this market segment.
Following Cegid’s investments in Iberia and Belgium, this major
step will allow the new Cegid Group to become the leader in this
high-growth market segment ahead of the implementation of mandatory
e-invoicing.
EBP, established as one of the leading solutions providers in
France known for its long-standing expertise in working with Micro
and SMB businesses, its user-centered approach and its distinctive
know-how, has been serving its customer base of 275,000 companies
using its solutions in France for close to 40 years.
The acquisition of EBP represents a major strategic milestone
for Cegid, enabling Cegid to extend its offering with a range of
invoicing, business management and accounting software tailored to
meet the needs of Micro and SMB businesses in France, including in
specific verticals such as construction and automotive. With its
existing footprint in Iberia and Belgium, this opportunity also
allows Cegid to strengthen its European leadership with this new
position in the French market.
“With the acquisition of EBP, we are accelerating our European
strategy in serving small businesses, one of Cegid’s five priority
markets. By combining our two companies, EBP and Cegid, we become a
leader with annual revenue close to one billion euros and serving
close to 750,000 customers. Our shared vision, the strength of our
two brands, the performance of the combined product portfolio, our
innovation in emerging technologies such as artificial
intelligence, our culture centered around co-creation and
entrepreneurship, and the talent within our teams create a unique
opportunity. Through this collaboration, we will meet the needs of
small businesses directly or through the network of 440 partners
built by EBP; most importantly, we will enable chartered
accountants to strengthen their strategic position with French
Micro and SMB businesses by offering them a wide range of
innovative and purposeful business solutions. Cegid will thus
become the software provider of choice for Micro and SMBs,
supporting the digitalisation of the economy by facilitating
compliance in a changing regulatory landscape including the advent
of mandatory electronic invoicing, and ultimately enabling their
growth through solutions that are unique in the market,” said
Pascal Houillon, CEO of Cegid.
With a track-record of sustained growth, EBP will find in Cegid
and its majority shareholder Silver Lake a major ally to finance
and structure its next phase of expansion, notably accelerating the
transition to SaaS and the integration of generative artificial
intelligence technology to better serve current and future
clients.
“As a shareholder, Silver Lake is very pleased to continue
promoting Cegid’s development. The growth potential of the small
business software market is significant in Europe as a whole, and
particularly in France where the introduction of electronic
invoicing for all businesses is imminent. With the addition of EBP,
we are accelerating Cegid's strategy in the Micro and SMB markets
across the continent while starting a new phase of sustainable
growth over the next decade. The quality of EBP's solutions
combined with Cegid's footprint among chartered accountants make
for a perfect combination in this high-potential market,” said
Christian Lucas, Managing Partner of Silver Lake and Vice-Chairman
of Cegid Group’s Board of Directors.
Founder René Sentis, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Grégoire
Leclercq and his management team as well as EBP's 650 employees
will join Cegid in the coming weeks.
“The timing of this combination could not be better for EBP's
development. With nearly 40 years of significant growth, and now
more motivated than ever to support our customers in their digital
transformation journey and to prepare for the upcoming e-invoicing
regulation, we are thrilled to be joining forces with Cegid. The
company's strength, its expertise in cloud technologies, its recent
announcements around offering a free PDP solution and the Cegid
Business solution as part of the e-invoicing, as well as its
investments in artificial intelligence will all be instrumental for
EBP. Synergies resulting from this combination are evident with
respect to both our product portfolios and Cegid’s footprint with
CPAs, as well as financing solutions that we can offer to our
clients – our conviction in this partnership is unwavering, and we
are committed to reinvesting significantly in this combined group.
Additionally, this is a great opportunity to accelerate the
development of EBP’s recently launched Hubbix platform. With Cegid,
we are proud to embark on this exciting journey to better serve our
clients and conquer new markets together,” concludes René Sentis,
Founder & CEO of EBP.
As is customary, the transaction remains subject to the approval
of relevant regulatory authorities and to the information and
consultation processes of representative bodies of staff concerned,
in accordance with applicable laws.
More information:
About Cegid
Cegid is a European leader in cloud business management
solutions for finance (cash-flow, tax, ERP), human resources
(payroll, talent management), CPAs, retail and entrepreneurial
sectors. With a solid full cloud business model, Cegid provides
long-term commitment to its customers, superior and distinctive
experiences and helps companies of all sizes accelerate their
digital business transformation, locally and worldwide. Cegid
combines a forward-thinking and pragmatic approach of the business
with strong capacity to innovate, an in-depth expertise in new
technologies such as artificial intelligence and an understanding
of regulations and compliance. In today’s rapidly changing world,
Cegid makes more possible by helping customers unleash their
potential thanks to innovative and purposeful business
solutions.
Bolstered by its strong international ambition and reach, and
its 500,000 customers, Cegid has 4,400 employees and sells its
solutions in 130 countries. Cegid reported revenues of €852 million
(as of December 31 2023). Pascal Houillon has been the CEO since
March 2017.
For more information: www.cegid.com/en/
About EBP
For 40 years, EBP supports the success and longevity of 275 000
Micro and SMBs, maintaining relationships founded on trust. The
company offers solutions across France, Spain, Switzerland, Morocco
and Ivory Coast, leveraging its extensive portfolio of innovative
accounting, business management, HCM and CRM products tailored to
SMBs, freelancers, retailers and independent professionals.
More information: EBP • Logiciels et solutions de gestion et de
comptabilité and social networks
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240424304702/en/
Press contacts:
Agence Proches Elodie Roubaud
equipecegid@agenceproches.com +33 (0)7 60 43 65 08
Agence Proches Pierre Lostanlen
equipecegid@agenceproches.com +33 (0)6 69 61 80 77
Cegid - Presse Relations Manager Nathalie
Fournier-Christol nfournierchristol@cegid.com 33 (0)6 49 23 83