NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Motive Partners ("Motive" or the "Firm"), a specialist private equity firm focused on building, backing and buying the technology companies that enable the financial economy, today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire embedded/capital GmbH ("embedded/capital"), a leading European venture capital platform focused on supporting the next wave of financial technology innovation, subject to customary closing conditions. The acquisition is expected to close in January 2023.
Since inception, Motive identified a whitespace opportunity to build a leading, fully integrated stage-agnostic investment firm focused solely on financial technology. In December 2021, having formed a strategic relationship with Apollo Global Management, Motive Partners launched Motive Ventures. Led by Mariano Belinky, formerly CEO of Santander Asset Management and founder of Santander's venture capital business, Motive Ventures has invested in 5 companies to date. In parallel, embedded/capital was formed in Berlin. The team of 11 people is led and founded by Ramin Niroumand ("Ramin") and Michael Hock ("Michael"), fintech business builders and operators turned investors. The embedded/capital portfolio consists of 9 investments to date, including Bezahl.de, Bunch, Februar.co, Getquin, Hero, Luca, Myne, Nelly and Pliant.
The combination of embedded/capital's team with the Motive Ventures team brings together top talent from across the industry to seek to capitalize on the market dynamics and growing opportunity ahead as new financial technologies and business models emerge at pace. The combined Motive Ventures team, consisting of 14 people, will be enabled by its market proximity, with on-site presence in three financial technology capitals: Berlin, London and New York City.
Leveraging Motive's expertise, ecosystem, established IOI operating model and in-house innovation capabilities through Motive Create, Motive Ventures will continue to define and execute upon a value proposition that backs exceptional entrepreneurs’ visions and businesses. Motive Ventures focuses on early-stage investments, while Motive Capital Funds invest across growth and buyout. Both strategies focus exclusively on financial technology investments across North America and Europe.
Blythe Masters, Founding Partner at Motive Partners, commented: "We are delighted to welcome the talented and accomplished embedded/capital team to the Motive family. We have known the team by reputation for some time, and have admired their prowess as both business builders and investors in leading entrepreneurs that are evolving the financial technology landscape. This acquisition not only adds depth and capability to our team, but provides critical strategic benefits to the rest of the firm, including innovation insights and learning, attracting top talent and enhanced sourcing networks." |
Prior to founding embedded/capital, Ramin founded finleap, one of Europe’s most successful financial technology venture builders, which helped support the creation and growth of the European financial technology ecosystem. Michael joined finleap in 2017 as CFO and Managing Director. Together at finleap, Ramin and Michael successfully built 15 independent companies, collectively worth over €3 billion1. Since inception, finleap has built 2 unicorns organically (Solaris & Clark) and realized two of the largest exits in the European fintech industry this year (Penta was acquired by Qonto; PAIR Finance was sold to Pollen Street Capital). Ramin is also the Chairman and founding investor of Solaris, Europe's largest embedded finance platform (also known as Banking-as-a-Service)2.
Ramin Niroumand, Founder of embedded/capital and Partner at Motive Ventures, commented: "We are delighted to be joining the Motive family. Motive’s team of experienced innovators, operators and investors is fully aligned with our ethos, DNA and sector focus, leading to an extraordinarily similar culture and team fit. I am looking forward to building out the Motive Ventures brand. Our vision is to be the largest and most successful early-stage fintech investor globally - built on an existing team, a portfolio and our fintech experience.” |
Mariano Belinky, Partner at Motive Ventures, commented: "I am excited to welcome Ramin, Michael and the team into the Motive fold. Their combination of investor, innovator and operator DNA and their deep expertise in the European fintech ecosystem perfectly complements, strengthens and increases our reach and breath as we continue building Motive Ventures and the global Motive platform." |
Motive Partners was advised by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Hengeler Mueller. embedded/capital was advised by P+P Poellath + Partners.
SOURCES
- Organic Fair Market Value of the finleap portfolio (excluding Penta)
- Strategy Consultant; Solaris Is the leading European BaaS player, based on revenues, in the fintech market segment
About Motive Partners
Motive Partners is a specialist private equity platform, combining Investors, Operators and Innovators, to build, back and buy the technology companies that enable the financial economy. Motive invests across stage in technology enabled financial and business services in North America and Europe. Motive has offices in New York City and London, with over 220 professionals, managing approximately $4.8 billion in assets under management across two investment programs, Motive Ventures (early stage) and Motive Capital (growth and buyout).
More information on Motive Partners can be found at www.motivepartners.com.
