Paris, November 8, 2021 – Sea Vorian, a company created by a pool of investors led by Jean-Luc Biache and François-Xavier de Cointet, is acquiring 100% of Seafin, a leader in the distribution and manufacturing of high-tech products for the blue economy, from its founder Claude Pacheco, the Atalaya and Financière de Brienne 2 funds managed by Ace Capital Partners and SFLD
Founded in September 2004 by Claude Pacheco, Neotek specializes in the distribution and integration of data acquisition, oceanographic and hydrographic instrumentation, positioning, UAV and mine clearance equipment.
RTSys, acquired in 2012, when Ace Capital Partners funds invested in the company, has developed on its own ressources the design and manufacture of submarine acoustics and robotics products. Its high level of expertise is now recognized in 4 main areas of innovation: passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), underwater exploration via autonomous underwater drones (AUV), mine countermeasures (MCM) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
Numerous R&D programs have been carried out in partnership with the Direction Générale de l’Armement, the Poles Mer de Compétitivité, or the European Defense Fund, to design miniaturized products without compromising either performance or cost. Renewable marine energies, deep-sea exploration, and anti-submarine warfare are all sectors in which the Seafin group now claims a leading position.
With the transfer of the group to Sea Vorian, a new stage is opening up for the Seafin group to become an undisputed European player in the naval, civil and defense submarine markets.
Claude Pacheco
With the new Sea Vorian team, a new story will be written for the Seafin group. Jean-Luc Biache, majority shareholder, and François-Xavier de Cointet, shareholder and president of Seafin, have a strong experience in the development of SMEs in France and abroad. François-Xavier de Cointet, who previously managed companies in the blue economy, brings his knowledge of the Seafin market. I wish the Sea Vorian group success and prosperity.
I would also like to thank the investors for the confidence they have shown in me and in particular Laurent Sassier for his support.
Jean-Luc Biache and François-Xavier de Cointet
Enthusiastic about writing this new page for Seafin and its subsidiaries Neotek and RTsys, we thank Claude Pacheco for all that he and his teams have accomplished since the company was founded. We are convinced of the potential of this high-tech sector within the blue economy. Accompanied by private shareholders, we are committed to developing the group in France and abroad, both in the design and sale of innovative products and through the development of a broader range of services.
Ace Capital Partners
“We salute the great professionalism of Claude Pacheco and his teams, which has enabled the group to rely solidly on its subsidiary Neotek to mobilize high-level resources and significant means in research and development to create ex-nihilo, within RTSys, a range of technological products recognized by a very demanding clientele.
Having had the chance to accompany these pioneering developments for nearly ten years, we have no doubt that the new team will succeed in accelerating the group’s growth,” says Gilles Daguet.
About Ace Capital Partners
Ace Capital Partners, a subsidiary of Tikehau Capital, is a private equity firm specialised in strategic industries and technologies, with €1.3 billion in assets under management. Founded in 2000, Ace invests with a vertical approach in strategic industries (e.g. Aerospace, Defense and technologies (e.g. Cybersecurity). Ace has built its model on strategic partnerships with large corporates (including Airbus, Safran, Dassault Aviation, Thales, EDF, Naval Group, and Sopra Steria), which invest in its funds and maintain an ongoing dialogue with the firm, enabling Ace to take a differentiated approach to investing.
Ace is present in Paris, Toulouse and Montreal and benefits from the worldwide presence of Tikehau Capital.
www.ace-cp.com
Press Contacts
Ace Capital Partners: Audrey Hood 01 73 313 010 ahood@ace-cp.com
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