Amplitude raises 30 m in a transaction led by Cathay Capital

Amplitude, leading player in the ultra-fast laser sector, has raised nearly €30 m in a financing led by Cathay Capital Private Equity, together with Mérieux Développement, FCID, the SME fund financed by FSI France Investissement and managed by CDC Entreprises and Auriga.

Bringing together several co investors around the founding management team, the financing will give the group the necessary financial resources it needs to pursue its strong growth. Over the last ten years, the Amplitude group, created on the initiative of Gilles Riboulet and Eric Mottay, has emerged as a global leader in the design and manufacture of ultrafast lasers intended for a clientele of industrial companies (Amplitude Systems) and major research laboratories (Amplitude Technologies).

Go4Venture was sole financial adviser to the Company and its shareholders with a team composed of Jean-Michel Deligny, Managing Director, Justin Stebbins, Director and Oliver Staves, Analyst. Jean Michel commented: “Go4Venture used its specialist expertise to run a thorough selection process. The Investors approached included venture as well as private equity funds, reflecting the mix of Amplitude’s activities: well-established, profitable business selling equipment for research and eye surgery applications; and a venture opportunity around high power laser sources used in proton-based cancer therapy.
“The process generated close to ten detailed offer letters, which were narrowed down to three negotiated termsheets, which was the basis to decide on the investor syndicate. This resulted in outstanding terms for Amplitude’s shareholders, hence existing financial investors eventually deciding to exit their position entirely.”

KBRC & Associés acted on behalf of the target companies, consisting of Amplitude Technologie, Amplitude Systèmes and Phase, the holding company, on the deal. Philippe Bédard led the team, he commented: “KBRC has accompanied Phase-Amplitude for ten years, actually from the beginning of this success story.

“During this long term relationship it always has been a great pleasure to work with and for the extremely competent and friendly team: obviously Gilles Riboulet and Eric Mottay but also all the other founders and shareholders of Amplitude group, “the colleagues” as they call themselves.”