Goodwin has advised private equity firm EMZ Partners ("EMZ") on the financing of the acquisition of a majority stake in Aspire Education Group ("Aspire"), a leading provider in the education sector. EMZ has entered into a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake. Co-CEOs J. Lampert and U. Schelkes and the rest of the management team will remain or become significant co-partners. The parties have agreed not to disclose details of the transaction.
EMZ is a leading European private equity firm that sees itself as a partner to medium-sized companies. Its activities focus on investments alongside founders, family shareholders and managers. The core of EMZ's philosophy is a significant back participation of the management in order to create a mutual partnership as shareholders. EMZ is majority controlled by its own employees and invests the money of institutional investors from Europe. From its current fund of over €1.0 billion, EMZ makes investments of between €30 million and €200 million.
Aspire was founded in 2014 through the merger of ibis acam, Stepin and ARS and is one of the leading providers in the education sector. The company has more than 80 locations in Austria and Germany, currently employs around 1,200 people (of which approximately 850 are full-time positions) and offers career guidance and job application coaching, IT training, seminars for the higher qualified and student exchange programs.
The Goodwin team was led by Winfried Carli and Andreas Breu.