For nearly two decades, SteelSeries has been a frontrunner in the gaming industry, offering high-quality gaming peripherals to pro and enthusiast gamers. Its software platform has millions of daily users and is integrated with games and applications. Over the years, the company has built a strong brand and has leveraged this to outpace category growth globally. The gaming peripherals market is expected to continue experiencing significant growth, mainly driven by an increased number of gamers, growth in esports and a clear trend towards multiplayer/social games.

“I am very proud of our growth, driven by relentless innovation, inspired design, and a commitment to esports. We are well positioned to benefit from category growth and a loyal fan base. We have built the best team in the business and we look forward to a new partnership with Axcel.” says Ehtisham Rabbani, CEO of SteelSeries.

SteelSeries helped create the gaming audio category, in a list of many industry firsts. Today, the Arctis headset line is an award-winning market leader. SteelSeries’ other market leading products lines include the Rival gaming mice, Apex gaming keyboards and QcK gaming surfaces.

“Ehtisham and the rest of the management team have done an excellent job in defining a clear value proposition and setting a focused strategy. Furthermore, the company has been able to develop new and innovative products across the key gaming peripherals supporting today’s enthusiast and professional gamers,” says Lars Cordt, who is responsible for the investment at Axcel. “Based on SteelSeries’ strong position as a leading global gaming peripherals brand, we believe that we can grow the company significantly going forward.”

Founded in Denmark to serve the needs of esports pros, the company has sponsored some of the world’s first professional esports teams and tournaments. This legacy has solidified SteelSeries as a top esports brand and continues to drive all aspects of the company’s hardware and software development.

Jacob Wolff-Petersen, the founder, is excited about the prospects of partnering with Axcel:

“I’m excited about partnering with Axcel for the next phase of the company’s journey. SteelSeries has become a global company, but the company’s Nordic heritage is still an essential part of our DNA. Axcel was therefore an obvious partner. I’m certain that together with Axcel, we will be able to further expand the SteelSeries brand across regions and channels.”

Christian Bamberger Bro, partner at Axcel, adds:

“SteelSeries is an exciting investment opportunity for Axcel, where we will be able to leverage our experience within the consumer and technology sectors to develop the company together with its exceptionally talented management team.”

SteelSeries is being acquired from US-based L Catterton. The parties have agreed not to disclose any financial terms. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

SteelSeries is Axcel V’s ninth investment. Axcel will control the majority of SteelSeries’ shares.

About SteelSeries
SteelSeries is a leader in gaming peripherals focused on quality, innovation and functionality, and the fastest growing major PC gaming headset brand in the US. Founded in 2001, SteelSeries improves performance through first-to-market innovations and technologies that enable gamers to play harder, train longer, and rise to the challenge. SteelSeries is a pioneer supporter of competitive gaming tournaments and eSports and connects gamers to each other, fostering a sense of community and purpose. SteelSeries’ team of professional and gaming enthusiasts help design and craft every single accessory and are the driving force behind the company. In 2018, the company generated sales of DKK +1 billion.

About 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 55 platform investments, with almost 100 major add-on investments and 43 exits. Axcel currently owns 12 companies with combined annual revenue of more than EUR 1.1 billion and some 4,000 employees.

Further information:

Axcel:
Lars Cordt, Partner
E-mail: lc@axcel.dk
Tel.: +45 3336 6999

Christian Schmidt-Jacobsen, Managing Partner
E-mail: csj@axcel.dk
Tel.: +45 3336 6999

trategic investment partners include KKR, ICONIQ Capital, Smash Ventures, aXiomatic, Vulcan Capital, Kleiner Perkins, and Lightspeed Venture Partners

CARY, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Epic Games is pleased to announce it has received an investment of approximately $1.25 billion from KKR, ICONIQ Capital, Smash Ventures, aXiomatic, Vulcan Capital, Kleiner Perkins, and Lightspeed Venture Partners.

This investment creates powerful partnerships with highly strategic investment firms and individuals at the forefront of technology, entertainment, professional sports, esports, and live events.

These investors join Tencent, Disney and Endeavor as minority shareholders in Epic, which continues to be controlled by founder and CEO, Tim Sweeney.

“We’re excited to partner with the finest minds in the financial, sports, and entertainment communities. This reinforces Epic’s position of leadership in real-time 3D technology, and accelerates our ability to improve the way people play, work, and interact with the world,” said Sweeney.

“Epic Games has fundamentally changed the model for interactive entertainment under the company’s visionary leadership,” said Ted Oberwager of KKR. “Alongside a special group of investors, we are thrilled to support Epic’s dedicated employees and the passionate community of players and developers that lies at the heart of everything that Epic Games does.”

The Raine Group and Guggenheim Securities, LLC are acting as financial advisors to Epic Games. Smith Anderson is acting as legal advisor to Epic Games.

About Epic Games

Founded in 1991, Epic Games is the creator of Fortnite, Unreal, Gears of War, Shadow Complex, and the Infinity Blade series of games. Epic’s Unreal Engine technology brings high-fidelity, interactive experiences to PC, console, mobile, AR, VR and the Web. Unreal Engine is freely available at unrealengine.com. For more information, visit epicgames.com and check out @EpicGames.

Contacts
Epic Games
Dana Cowley
Dana.Cowley@epicgames.com

Paris, October 23, 2018 – Eurazeo announced today the effective sale to PAI Partners of its investment in Asmodee, a leading international games publisher and distributor.

This deal perfectly reflects the in-depth transformation successfully completed in recent years by Stéphane Carville and his teams with Eurazeo’s support. In four years, Asmodee’s revenue has grown from €125 million to €442 million, representing an average annual growth rate of 37%, and is now generated 75% internationally. At the same time, publishing revenues increased to nearly two-thirds of games sales. The Group also completed 20 acquisitions, representing over €140 million in revenue.
The deal generating sales proceeds of €565 million for Eurazeo and its investor partners, including €426 million for Eurazeo, i.e., a return on the initial investment of nearly 4x and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of almost 35%.
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About Eurazeo
o With a diversified portfolio of more than €17 billion in assets under management, including over €11 billion from third parties, Eurazeo is a leading global investment company with offices in Paris, Luxembourg, New York, Shanghai and Sao Paulo. Its purpose and mission is to identify, accelerate and enhance the transformation potential of the companies in which it invests. The firm covers most private equity segments through its five investment divisions – Eurazeo Capital, Eurazeo Croissance, Eurazeo PME, Eurazeo Patrimoine and Eurazeo Brands – and through three Idinvest business divisions: Venture Capital, Private Debt and Dedicated Portfolio & Funds. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term. As a global long-term shareholder, the firm offers deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a stable foothold for transformational growth to the companies it supports.

o Eurazeo is listed on Euronext Paris.
o ISIN: FR0000121121 – Bloomberg: RF FP – Reuters: EURA.PA

EURAZEO CONTACTS PRESS CONTACT

CAROLINE COHEN
HEAD OF INVESTOR RELATIONS
E-mail: ccohen@eurazeo.com
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 15 16 76
VIRGINIE CHRISTNACHT
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
E-mail: vchristnacht@eurazeo.com
Tel: +33 1 44 15 76 44
HAVAS PARIS
Deborah Guedj
E-mail: deborah.guedj@havas.com
Tel: +33 (0)6 26 74 95 96
For more information, please visit the Group’s website: www.eurazeo.com
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