Hg sells Trace One to Symphony Technology Group

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Paris, France; Palo Alto, USA and London, United Kingdom 24 March 2021

Hg, Europe’s leading software investor, today announces that it has entered into an agreement to sell its investment in Trace One to Symphony Technology Group (“STG”), a Palo Alto-based private equity firm focused on investing in the software, data analytics, and software-enabled technology services sectors.

This proposed sale is subject to French Workers’ Council consultations and customary clearances. The terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Trace One is the world’s largest collaborative retail business platform for consumer-packaged-goods (CPG). It provides one SaaS inclusive platform with multiple interlocking business applications, including product lifecycle management, sourcing, and compliance, for 25 leading global retailers and 5,000+ FMCG manufacturers. Trace One enables customers to create higher quality, trusted, and compliant own-branded goods faster, delivering benefits to their consumers and the environment.

“It’s been so valuable to partner with Hg for just over four years. Together with Hg, the business has implemented several value-add initiatives and we’ve been able to leverage Hg’s operational capabilities throughout their ownership period. We look forward to partnering with STG in the next phase and are excited about the new opportunities this will bring to Trace One and our clients.”

Christophe Vanackère, CEO at Trace One

“Christophe has led a first-class team and we thank them for what has been a great partnership since we first invested. Since then, we have built significant value in the business together, investing in the technology platform and launching several new products whilst transforming the sales and marketing function and go-to-market strategy – all enhancing the customer experience. We wish the team well in partnership with STG going forward.”

Sebastien Briens, Partner at Hg

“Trace One is the undisputed sector leader serving the world’s leading global retail brands and a network of over 5,000 manufacturers. We are thrilled to partner with Christophe and his team, and we are fully committed to driving Trace One’s next phase of growth as the leading SaaS player empowering retailers and their manufacturing partners globally.”

William Chisholm, Managing Partner at STG


For further details:
Tom Eckersley, Hg
tom.eckersley@hgcapital.com
Phone: +44 208 148 5401

About Symphony Technology Group

Symphony Technology Group (STG) is the private equity partner to market leading companies in data, software, and analytics. The firm brings expertise, flexibility, and resources to build strategic value and unlock the potential of innovative companies. Partnering to build customer-centric, market winning portfolio companies, STG creates sustainable foundations for growth that bring value to all existing and future stakeholders. The firm is dedicated to transforming and building outstanding technology companies in partnership with world class management teams. STG’s expansive portfolio has consisted of more than 35 global companies.

For more information, please visit www.stgpartners.com

About Trace One

We’ve created a global community of 5,000+ brand owners spanning more than 100 countries.  Our smart solutions let them collaborate and innovate on remarkable products worth over $300 billion every year. We’ve been helping them create products that consumers really want since 2001, through bigger and faster thinking. This gives us a unique depth of knowledge and experience specific to CPG – one which drives us to innovate and solve the big challenges of this industry.

For more information, visit www.traceone.com

About Hg

Hg is a leading investor in software and services, focused on backing businesses that change how we all do business. Deep technology expertise, complemented by vertical application specialisation and dedicated operational support, provides a compelling proposition to management teams looking to scale their businesses. Hg has funds under management of over $30 billion, with an investment team of over 140 professionals, plus a portfolio team of more than 35 operators, providing practical support to help our businesses to realise their growth ambitions. Based in London, Munich and New York, Hg has a portfolio of over 30 software and technology businesses, worth over $60 billion aggregate enterprise value, with over 35,000 employees globally.



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