Munich (Germany)
CLOUDFLIGHT GMBH
Advisory services, software development and cloud operations
KEY FACTS AT A GLANCE
CLOUDFLIGHT GMBH
€8.2MN
14.4%
37.4%
JUNE 2019
REVENUES in €mn
16
27
33
As of 30 June 2020
~26
PER CENT
compounded annual growth rate expected for custom software development market
What convinced us was the team's entrepreneurial vision, together with strong growth momentum in the market environment Cloudflight is operating in.
PROFILE
The transaction brings together software specialist Catalysts with Crisp Research – an IT research and consultancy firm specialised on cloud computing, creating a provider of digital and cloud services with a truly special profile, in a fragmented market. Going forward, Cloudflight will leverage the skills and experience of approximately 350 cloud computing experts to provide a comprehensive service to clients – encompassing strategic advice on all things digital, platform and architecture design, software development, as well as 24/7 cloud operations. The company supports SMEs, corporate groups and public-sector clients with the implementation and acceleration of their digital transformation.
Catalysts contributes its software development expertise to the new Group, whilst Crisp's team of experienced digital strategists and cloud computing architects will be advising clients – independent of which technology they are using. Both companies benefit from long-standing client relationships in their respective fields of activity and extensive expertise in digital 'hot spots' such as cloud computing, Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence.
POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT
The combination of Catalysts and Crisp to one group of companies and the investment offer opportunities for clients and employees: The company can now pursue a European growth strategy that offers customers a comprehensive service portfolio and software developers exciting fields of activity and attractive locations. The plan is for Cloudflight to develop further, gaining strength through strategic acquisitions.
FINANCIAL YEAR 2019
DBAG Fund VII formed Cloudflight in June 2019. The newly appointed group CEO and group CFO together with the existing management team aim to continue the strong growth path of prior years. Fuelled by growing customer demand and high utilisation rates, Cloudflight expects to increase its revenues and EBITDA by double-digit growth rates in 2019.
OUTLOOK AND OBJECTIVES
In 2020, Cloudflight will focus on expanding its resources, especially retaining and training skilled personnel to further leverage the market growth. It is the management’s target to position Cloudflight as a full-service digitisation partner by expanding it service offering, e.g. by pursuing an active acquisition strategy focused on smaller IT services companies.
Managing Director
Managing Director
Lucas Herbert joined Deutsche Beteiligungs AG in 2007 and became a Managing Director in 2015.
Lucas Herbert has twelve years of experience in the private equity sector. During this time, he has gained extensive knowledge, particularly in the IT services/software, mechanical and plant engineering and healthcare sectors. Lucas Herbert has been involved in a large number of corporate investments and disposals. These include Romaco, Spheros, Gienanth and Silbitz. He also led the investment process in blikk and Cloudflight.
He holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, and also studied at the Maastricht University and the University of Newscastle, Australia.