January 5, 2018 – Corsearch, a global trademark solutions leader, is pleased to announce the closing of its sale to Audax Private Equity, effective today. As previously reported, in October 2017, Audax Private Equity agreed to purchase Corsearch from Wolters Kluwer. Today’s closing represents the finalization of that transaction, resulting in a newly independent Corsearch company.
The move to an independent company provides Corsearch with many opportunities in an evolving industry. Corsearch will be using its new status to enrich the industry-leading offerings in trademark and domain solutions that it offers today, as well as to expand into new areas.
Audax Private Equity is an experienced investor in lower middle-market companies. The firm’s “Buy & Build” strategy focuses on investing in – and building – successful platform companies, fueling their revenue growth, optimizing their operations, and significantly increasing their long-term value. Since its founding in 1999, the firm has invested over $4 billion in 700-plus companies.
“Today we are taking an important step that will allow us to capitalize on the exciting growth opportunities that exist in trademark, brand protection, and beyond,” said Tobias Hartmann, President & Chief Executive Officer. “We’re thrilled to be moving forward in partnership with Audax, and to be leveraging the experience they have in helping companies like ours work to maximize growth potential.”
The new Corsearch will also see its headquarters move to a prime location in New York City’s famous Times Square area—a fitting address for a global provider that is expecting dramatic growth in the years ahead. The company currently employs over 200 people across nine countries, and provides intellectual property services that span the globe.
“All of us at Corsearch are thrilled to be writing the company’s next chapter together,” said Hartmann. “We know that our new status will help us to pave innovative new roads for our clients that will take our company to exciting new highs and allow us to bring new classes of product offerings to our industry. Stay tuned…the best is yet to come.”
Besides Mr. Hartmann, continuing in their positions on the senior leadership team at Corsearch will be:
- Stephen Stolfi, Vice President, Global Sales & Strategic Partnerships
- Guy Coene, Vice President of Information Technology
- Brett Amdur, Vice President of Product Management & Marketing
- Luc Pierlé, Global Head of Operations
- Satoru Ogawa, Chief Financial Officer
One thing that won’t change, according to Hartmann, is the Corsearch philosophy centered on providing accurate, concise, and timely services with a uniquely personal approach. “Being customer-centric is in our DNA,” said Hartmann. “Clients should know that they will always receive the quality service and results, as well as the personal attention, that they’ve come to expect from Corsearch.”
ABOUT CORSEARCH
Corsearch is the premier provider of clearance and protection solutions for trademark and brand professionals. Its high-quality, intuitive tools and unparalleled expertise enable professionals to effectively manage their trademark screening, search review, watching, and domain management processes. With highly trained researchers, an expansive global content set and customer-designed technology tools like the Corsearch platform, Corsearch empowers its customers with the ability to easily, quickly and flexibly monitor and protect their brands in an increasingly complex business environment.
ABOUT AUDAX PRIVATE EQUITY
Since its founding in 1999, Audax Private Equity has been focused on building leading middle market companies. Audax has invested $4.5 billion in 112 platform and 638 add-on companies. Through its disciplined Buy & Build approach, Audax seeks to help platform companies execute add-on acquisitions that fuel revenue growth, optimize operations, and significantly increase equity value. Audax Private Equity is an integral part of Audax Group, an alternative asset management firm specializing in investments in middle market companies. With offices in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, Audax Group has over $11.5 billion in assets under management across its Private Equity, Mezzanine, and Senior Debt businesses. For more information, visit the Audax Group website, www.audaxgroup.com.
