Rueil Malmaison, France (PRWEB) December 20, 2013
Lucibel closed its €15 million financing operation, started in March 2013, with an additional contribution of €9 million in bonds, convertible into shares, subscribed by Bpifrance, Aster Capital and CM CIC Capital Innovation.
Out of this financing operation that was finalised on 18th December 2013, Bpifrance, Aster Capital and CM CIC Capital Innovation will have invested €7 million, €3.5 million and €3 million respectively into the Lucibel, the balance of the funds being provided by other investors.
Reference shareholders in the company, Aster Capital and CM-CIC Capital Innovation confirm their will to stand by the company in the long run. Bpifrance came onto the scene with its long-term investment plan, focusing on accompanying growing French businesses and particularly those with high capital needs.
Lucibel offers innovative lighting solutions, based on LED technology, for professionals, municipalities and individual purposes. Founded in 2008 by Frédéric Granotier, the business has grown substantially, through organic development and external growth, such as Cordel company, leader in shop lighting, that Lucibel took over in March 2013. This market consolidation strategy in lighting will continue following new acquisitions coming soon.
This fundraising, which began in March 2013, will finance the development strategy within France and on international scene, within a rapidly expanding LED market.
“We are happy and proud to welcome Bpifrance amongst our financial partners, sign of recognition of Lucibel’s technological expertise and its potential to develop, in France and globally.” stated Frédéric Granotier, founder and president of Lucibel.
Nicolas Dufourcq, Chief Executive Officer of Bpifrance said “Bpifrance invests in French innovation on an international conquest. That’s the spirit in which it has manifested its support to Lucibel.”
Lucibel and Bpifrance have been advised for this operation by law firms Brandford Griffith & Associates and Veil Jourde.
About Bpifrance:
Private equity investments of Bpifrance are operated by Bpifrance Investments, a management company. Bpifrance, subsidiary of France’s Caisse des Dépôts, invest minority stakes directly via generalist or sectorial funds, and indirectly through partner funds, in French businesses, PME, ETI and large corporations.
Bpifrance manages its own funds as well as third-party funds, notably the French state’s through the Programme of Future Investments (PIA). With a network of 42 regional establishments and 250 partner funds, 90 of which being regional, Bpifrance covers the whole of the French territory, sectors of activity, stages of development, from seeding to transmission.
Bpifrance act in market conditions seeking for efficiency levels, liquidity and profitability, allowing to provide traction to private investors. Bpifrance has adopted a long-term responsible investment approach.
More information on : http://www.bpifrance.fr – Follow us on Twitter : @bpifrance
About CM-CIC Capital Innovation:
CM-CIC Capital Innovation specialises in technology venture capital. From seeding, it supports businesses with a high growth potential within dynamic sectors such as IT, health, industrial innovations and even the environment.
CM-CIC Capital Innovation is affiliated with CM-CIC Capital Finance, investment arm and investment bank of the Crédit Mutuel Group – CIC. With €2.6 billion of capital managed, of which €1.9 billion is their own, it is represented across France through 6 major establishments (in Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Lille, Strasbourg and Bordeaux), CMC-CIC Capital Finance is one of the rare examples of a merchant bank investing its own money in the long-term.
About Aster Capital:
Aster Capital is the leading actor in venture capital sponsored by Alstom, Schneider Electric, Solvay and the European Investment Fund (through the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme). Specialised in the energy and environment sectors, Aster Capital benefits from a unique model which aims to accompany entrepreneurs by making them benefit from considerable assets from its sponsors, accelerating the development of their businesses’ development. By favouring partnerships with technological or commercial businesses such as Alstom, Solvay and/or Schneider Electric, we help entrepreneurs to expand their businesses. Aster Capital focuses on renewable energies, energy efficiency, eco-mobility, and the safety and long-term management of resources and contaminating emissions. Its teams are based in Paris, San Francisco, Tel Aviv, Shanghai and Tokyo.
http://www.aster.com
About Lucibel:
LUCIBEL is a French company offering innovative lighting solutions, combining value and quality lighting for professionals. LUCIBEL develops its LED lighting solution in France and sells them in more than 35 countries. http://www.lucibel.com
