ECI Partners, the growth-focused mid-market private equity firm, has made a strategic investment in Commify, the esteemed Nottingham firm specializing in business messaging solutions. This momentous deal, valued at €300 million, marks a significant accomplishment for Hg, an investor in European and transatlantic software and services companies, which has been instrumental in driving Commify’s transformation since 2016.
Commify’s integrated solutions have empowered over 45,000 customers to effectively engage with their clientele and internal staff. Annually, it facilitates the transmission of an impressive 5 billion messages, spanning critical business applications like appointment confirmations and emergency alerts. The company seamlessly utilizes a range of channels, including SMS, WhatsApp, RCS, email, and voice, to cater to diverse communication needs.
Renowned for leading the European Local Enterprise market, Commify also boasts rapidly expanding operations in the United States and Australia. By globally scaling its services, the company manages to tailor its offerings to local markets through its flagship brand Esendex, as well as its self-serve brands.
Commify’s growth strategy has been bolstered by 16 strategic acquisitions over the past decade. ECI’s investment will further fuel the company’s expansion plans, enabling it to pursue acquisitions in existing and new territories while accelerating the development of its platform and products.
Richard Hanscott, CEO of Commify, expressed his excitement about the partnership with ECI, stating, “With Hg’s support in recent years, we have successfully established ourselves as pioneers in the market, with substantial investments in M&A and our messaging platform. Under ECI’s ownership, we look forward to intensifying our investments in innovative products and services, particularly our growing range of messaging channels like WhatsApp.”
He added, “Furthermore, we are thrilled to drive expansion through strategic acquisitions across established and untapped geographies. Commify is ideally positioned to continue delivering exceptional sustainable growth. This collaboration with ECI and the substantial investment they bring signifies an incredibly promising period for Commify, our valued customers, and our dedicated employees.”
Paul McCreadie, partner at ECI, emphasized the promising prospects for Commify, stating, “Commify has carved out a unique position in a dynamic global market. As messaging rapidly emerges as the leading channel for customer engagement, there is a clear and compelling growth opportunity not only in Europe but also in the United States and Australia. We are delighted to partner with Richard and the talented team at Commify to support their further organic growth and expansion through strategic acquisitions, ushering in the next phase of their successful journey.”
Nick Jordan, partner at Hg, acknowledged the significance of ECI’s investment for the management and staff at Commify, stating, “We take immense pride in our association with Commify and its outstanding achievements in expanding into numerous European markets and the United States, effectively doubling the size of the business in the process. We extend our well wishes to the team as they forge ahead in partnership with ECI.”
ECI Partners’ investment in Commify marks a pivotal moment for the growth and success of the company. With the support of ECI’s extensive resources and expertise, Commify is poised to seize the vast opportunities that lie ahead in its journey towards exponential organic and acquisitive growth.
