Scotto Partners is advising the management team of the Wifirst Group in connection with CAPZA's acquisition of a majority stake

The Wifirst Group, a European leader in managed Wi-Fi for businesses, welcomes CAPZA, a major player in private equity, as its new majority shareholder. CAPZA thus joins the group’s shareholder base alongside other long-standing financial investors—Bpifrance, Amundi, and Socadif—who had supported the group’s sale by Bolloré as part of a primary LBO completed in 2019.

The transaction includes a significant reinvestment by the management shareholders, led by founder and CEO Marc Taïeb, and sees new managers taking a stake in the company, as expected.

Founded in 2002, Wifirst is a B2B telecom provider specializing in Wi-Fi for businesses. The Group has expanded its network internationally by opening offices in the United Kingdom and Spain in 2016, and currently covers 29 countries. Wifirst has structured its business around two main customer segments: the Hospitality & Residential market (CROUS, AccorHotels, Club Med, etc.) and the Retail & Business market (La Poste, MAIF, etc.). A pioneer of the “Wi-Fi as a Service” approach, Wifirst is committed to continuous innovation to provide a network capable of handling the dramatic increase in internet usage, offer high-value-added services, and make Wi-Fi the technical foundation for its clients’ digital transformation.

With the support of its new shareholder, Wifirst intends to strengthen its leadership position in France and expand internationally, notably by establishing a stronger presence in the corporate Wi-Fi market and implementing a strategy of targeted acquisitions. CAPZA will also support the Group in implementing concrete measures that will help it meet its sustainable development goals.

“We have found in CAPZA an ideal partner to help us accelerate our growth while continuing our technological innovation program. CAPZA’s teams have an international network and genuine expertise in external growth initiatives, which enable us to pursue strategic acquisitions to strengthen our position in Europe.” Marc Taieb, CEO of Wifirst.

The actual completion of the transaction is subject to the standard terms and conditions.

In connection with this secondary LBO, Wifirst’s management was advised by Scotto Partners, with a team consisting ofIsabelle Cheradame (partner) and Claire Revol-Renié (partner), supported by Charlotte Hazan (counsel) on corporate matters, Jérôme Commerçon (partner), supported by Martine Le Roux on tax matters, as well as Bertrand Thibaut (counsel) and Alban Tourneux on employment law.