One of the Europes leading sperm banks, European Sperm Bank, has today entered into a new partnership with Axcel, which has now taken over the majority of shares. The partnership is built on a life-affirming vision and an ambitious plan to give even more Danish and foreign women and couples the possibility to have children. They plan is to expand even further by developing the existing business, expanding to new markets and expand the bank’s services
Since 2004, the European Sperm Bank has helped women and couples fulfill the dream of having a child. The result is more than 34.000 children among more than 25.000 families. Last year alone, the company had customers from over 70 different countries. European Sperm Bank is based in Denmark but has set up clinics for local recruitment in Germany and England.
“We had a healthy development where we most importantly had a part in creating a lot of happiness among women and couples, who around the world needed our help to have children. In the new partnership with Axcel, we will not only continue our good deeds but together we want to boost development, innovation and expansion, which we are now looking forward to, “says Annemette Arndal-Lauritzen, who has been CEO of European Sperm Bank since 2013.
Today, Axcel owns two thirds of European Sperm Bank. Founder and previous majority shareholder, Peter Bower, the executive branch and co-workers will own remaining third of the shares. Annemette Arndal-Lauritzen will continue as CEO and the about 80 current employees can look forward to new colleagues.
“Axcel has for several years followed European Sperm Bank and is impressed by the company’s customer-related services, their relentless focus on high quality, regulative processes and ethical standards. Therefore, we are looking forward to now supporting Annemette and her team in the further expansion in existing European markets and new ones,” says Thomas Blomqvist, Partner and Head of Investments at Axcel.
Global demand
Both in Germany and England, the sperm bank is experiencing an increase in demand for local donors. Therefore, in both countries there will be an increased focus on recruitment of local donors through the sperm bank’s local recruitment clinics in Hamburg and London.
“Globally, we are experiencing an increasing demand for donors who represent a broad segment of the world’s population. We would like to contribute to giving as many people as possible the child they wish for,“ says Annemette Arndal-Lauritzen and continues:
“Together with the new owners, the goal is to continue the European expansion and at the same time look at the possibilities of opening up outside of Europe. We will also focus on increased digitalization, and we will also look more into product-related innovation, which both in Denmark and globally will create synergy to our current supply.“
For further information, please contact
Julie Paulli Budtz, Head of Communication & Brand, European Sperm Bank
Mobile: +45 8177 5500
E-mail: jpb@europeanspermbank.com
Thomas Blomqvist, Partner and Head of Investments, Axcel
Mobil: +46 709 221049
About European Sperm Bank
European Sperm Bank was founded in 2004. Today, the Sperm Bank has about 80 employees spread across offices and clinics in Denmark (Copenhagen, Lyngby and Aarhus), England (London) and Germany (Hamburg).
European Sperm Bank is globally a market leader within its field and has since the beginning helped couples and women across 99 countries. In total, more than 34.000 children have been delivered among 25.000 families (women and couples), and in 2018 alone they had customers from 70 different countries. European Sperm Bank’s focus on security, safety and quality makes the sperm bank a preferred business partner on a global scale.
Read more here
Om Axcel
Founded in 1994, Axcel is a Nordic private equity firm focusing on mid-market companies and has a broad base of both Nordic and international investors. Axcel has raised five funds with total committed capital of just over EUR 2.0 billion. These funds have made 53 platform investments, with almost 100 major add-on investments. 41 businesses have been sold or listed. Axcel currently owns 12 companies with combined annual revenue of more than EUR 1.4 billion and more than 6,300 employees. European Sperm Bank is Axcel V’s seventh investment.
